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Behind The Scenes…..

11th June 2013 Photo shoots are good fun, and hard work too! Photographers and models do get to take a welcome break on occasion. What do the models get up to when the photographer leaves his camera unattended? Well…..on a fashion shoot in Marseille, France for L.G.R. Sunglasses, the models made their own attempt at being the photographer, and were playing around with his camera.

The result is this lovely image of a model wearing L.G.R.’s new Keren CM (top photo). The sleek matt black frame features metal temples, and polarized petroleum mirrored lenses. The design is also available in Havana, with green and gold (above) and black with gold. Definitely a summer style statement! www.lgr-sunglasses.com JG

Bushakan stands for favourite frames

7th June 2013 I have not come across any other design companies that specialise in stands to hold frames and sunglasses in a stylish and tidy way. Based in San Francisco, Bushakan is run by Tobi Adamolekun and Lauren Van Horn, an architect and ex-lawyer whose hand-finished wood designs have quickly attracted attention in the smartest optical retail circles.

“We select the best grade wood available for our stands and currently use two types of wood, maple and walnut,” explains Tobi. ” The maple is a light wood with a unique combination of brown, tan, white and cream streaks. The streaks give it an amazing range as they reveal the natural characteristics of the wood by showing the broad range of grain colours. The walnut is darker, with a rich chocolate tone and sometimes hints of black, grey and crimson. It has a beautiful grain pattern and is the only dark brown hardwood grown domestically. We are committed to a sustainable model of production; through the whole process we use a special finish on each piece which maintains the beauty of the wood.”

At present the stands hold one, two, three or five frames, or you can choose a design that holds both a frame and iphone, a slick concept for very useful organisation at home. I have received the nicely proportioned three frame stand and the sleek single presentation stand this week, and both have instantly found a place in my work space at home, although the rest of the family seem to have their eye on them too. The Bushakan team are also working on some larger stands for LA’s Gogosha Optique – www.gogosha.com and Oklahoma’s Black Optical – www.blackoptical.com – and they plan to launch these later in the year. To buy online today, visit www.bushakan.com/collections/all  CN

Available online at Eyestylist…

5th June 2013 Sunshine and warm temperatures have arrived – finally! So it’s the perfect moment to indulge in summer accessories – especially beautiful sunglasses. These distinctive styles have really caught our attention: Orbison (above) by Oliver Goldsmith is sleek and gorgeous in acetate, with an exaggerated cat eye shaping, in a lovely colour called Wakame, named after the delicious edible seaweed. To order Wakame – and other super sunnies from Oliver Goldsmith – click on: http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Search-Show?q=oliver+goldsmith+sunglasses

Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson can always be counted on for mesmerizing frames, with creativity, ingenuity and beauty. We love “Cause I flippin’ can” (above) in creamy ivory acetate, embellished with elegant roses. To order online and view more of Anna-Karin’s stunning sunglasses, click on BOUTIQUES on Eyestylist, and then the Anna-Karin Karlsson banner. www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG

Introducing the Nine Worthies by FAN Optics

1st June 2013 Vala 9/9 (above) is one of the Limited Edition designs in the evocative Nine Worthies Collection, the most recent launch from the British label Fan Optics. The label highlights a commitment to traditional spectacle making, producing, unusually, its frames in England, whilst bringing together some of the highest-quality materials available in the business. These include special multi-barreled hinges, Zeiss sun lenses for good UV protection, and a handmade soft leather case also produced in the UK.

For the Nine Worthies, the clean elegant shapes from FAN’s existing inaugural collection are created in a rare 90s Italian vintage acetate. Found in the old English factory where the Fan Optics designs are produced, it has a character and artisanal finish all of its own.

And the significance of the 14th century name? The nine special frames in the Edition – three shapes in three colour variants – pay hommage to the nine historical, scriptural and legendary personages of the Middle Ages – the Nine Worthies – representing the ideals of chivalry. They were a common theme in art and literature at the time, and a reminder, to those who saw these representations, of bravery, heroism and high deeds. It’s a great story and link for these frames of substance, and one that might have you leafing through dusty old history books to find out more. For more information on the Nine Worthies by FAN Optics plus superb online sunglasses shopping, visit www.fanoptics.co.uk

This is an exclusive report by Eyestylist.com. For more on the British label FAN Optics visit: https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/05/trendsetting-sunglasses/