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HANDMADE IN THE UK

25th May 2011 This new label goes into Harvey Nichols in London this weekend, as well as two other carefully selected outlets, The Eye Company in Soho, and Hostem, the menswear specialist in Shoreditch (www.hostem.co.uk). I recently met with designer Jesse Stevens to view the collection, which has been very carefully planned and produced to exacting standards using luxurious metals and the best Italian plastic as well as wonderful vintage metal details. I love the fact that a number of these Limited Edition sunglasses are hand assembled and finished in the UK; this is an impressive step for a luxury eyewear brand, as we have come close to losing our tradition for and expertise in spectacle-making. CN

“Alice Goes to Cannes” Leopard Sunglasses

May 23rd 2011 In a month dedicated to exclusive sunglasses, we could not overlook the Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson, who is launching her first sunglass collection officially this autumn. We are told by Anna an optical line is also underway. A collection based on fairytales and romance, balanced with wit and elegance, the designer who has a background in underground music as well as art and fashion, has been producing one-off sunglass designs as bespoke pieces for some time. For more on the designer, visit www.annakarinkarlsson.com or go to The Optical Wardrobe to browse and purchase online (www.theopticalwardrobe.com/akk1.php) – watch out, there’s already a waiting list! CN

Made in Japan

21st May 2011 This image caught my eye…and while we make it our business not to report on collections that we haven’t seen up close and tried on from time to time…I am looking forward to having a chance to examine this one soon. Frency and Mercury are based in Japan, and promise high quality materials, a meticulous production and high quality standards. 

The designer behind the brand is called Eque M. and has been working in eyewear design for some years…we will have more to say about this brand soon and we will keep you updated on their whereabouts in Europe, so far there are a few stockists we know of in Italy, including Capri Vision (Capri), and L’Ottico Fabbricatore in Venice. CN

17th May 2011 Joan recently reported on a Marc Jacobs sunglass in stripes…and here is another inspired by lines that is so sweet it had to be included in our display of special sunglass designs for May…”I wanted something fresh and pretty,” explains the French designer Pierre Cariven. The shape and styling are typical of the minimal style for which Pierre has made his name; together with a purity of line and elegance which comes through in the subtle mix of colour.

We think it’s a must-have for those craving a retro, Brigitte Bardot look with nautical overtones, and a perfectly contemporary finish. The optical versions are cute too. If you want to try to find these in the UK, try Schuller Opticians or Viren Jani, or check the list of stockists on the website, www.pierre-eyewear.com CN