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New Styles Steeped in History

15th February 2013 The iconic New York label Moscot has just released a spirited metal collection that dives into the family history, and emerges with designs that are compelling, bold and style savvy. The Kleyn (above) is inspired by the American 1860’s post-Civil war era spectacles. Crafted in metal with stainless steel temples and filigree details, the frames feature a classic saddle bridge and no nose pads.

The Mazel (above) is a distinctive drill mount semi-rimless design with authentic filigree accents. The unique lens shape, bridge cut outs, and metal and stainless steel components are stunning. Moscot eyewear is all handcrafted, and the frames are available as ophthalmic eyewear or sunglasses. www.moscot.com JG

One of a Kind Valentine by Face à Face Paris

14th February 2013 Bocca is a totally handmade heart frame tribute to the talented craftsmen who work in the Face à Face workshops. This unique piece is fun and innovative, created with passion by the people who ensure the excellence in each Face à Face frame. Eyestylist joins Face à Face in wishing everyone love and peace! www.faceaface-paris.com JG

Pascal Jaulent – Face à Face Paris

12th February 2013 We continue with our series “Men’s Eyewear –  The Designer Approach” and Eyestylist meets Pascal Jaulent of Face à Face Paris.

Do you have a particular male model in mind when you design men’s eyewear? “Design meets the personality of the wearer. The men I am designing for will express energy, contemporary elegance, an assertive character in a well-balanced temper. No ‘chichi’ nor useless details; graphic lines will shape a strong look and bold volumes impose a natural confidence. More personally, my ideal male model would be the character of James Bond – Pierce Brosnan being my favourite actor.”

What is your philosopy on colour, material and eyewear shapes for men? “Beside the basic tones of men’s colour universe (black, grey and all metal nuances, classic brown, ink or navy blue, and a little bit of green), colours add the sporty/energy touch that is part of most men’s personality. These flashes of lightning can be neon orange, green, blue, strong red or bold yellow. I do not like pastel tones nor gold on men. The material dimension, as well as the technical concept are quite important to men: natural materials such as horn, and wood bear the luxury dimension in men’s frames. Both acetate and metal perfectly fit male expectations. Face à Face being rooted in contemporary design, most of our men’s frames have been rectangular/square with both trends to soften or sharpen them.”

Do you think that men are becoming more experimental with their eyewear choices? “I think that men are becoming more experimental in general, and as far as their eyewear is concerned, more aware about self-expression/character, function and fashion. No doubt that we still have a lot to add in order to expand the potential of the men’s eyewear market. I am absolutely thinking in that direction.”

www.faceaface-paris.com JG

Red Frames  – Romantic and Radiant!

8th February 2013 Iconic Belgian eyewear company theo has a special bond with Valentine’s Day – a theo year starts on 14 February! To celebrate, theo has launched dashing frames in sizzling red, including Coconut 8 (above) with its daring shape and bi-colouration. Sure to please your beloved!

Theo has also collaborated for the third time with designer James Van Vossel. His latest creation is frames with integrated nose pads (above). Out of one thin metal plate, Van Vossel cut a shape in which he already provided a nosepiece. Then, he bent the nosepiece backwards, so there is no frame between the lens and the nose. An innovative masterpiece! James 6 is a trendy round shape and in bright red – brimming with colour vitality. www.theo.be JG

5th February 2013 Last month, Eyestylist.com met Simon Jablon, Creative Director, Linda Farrow and Tracy Sedino, Press & Marketing Director, at Linda Farrow HQ in London to discover what they have in store for 2013. This was an interesting and new experience as we were not very familiar with all the different collaborations that Linda Farrow is currently working on, and we also had an opportunity to see the extensive Linda Farrow Luxe line, which includes both sunglasses and spectacles, produced in titanium and featuring 18 to 24 carat gold plating.

“Linda, my mother started the company in the 70s,” explained Jablon. “At that time, she was producing incredible, innovative designs that have gone down in eyewear history; she was working with fashion houses like Pucci and Yves St Laurent.We brought the company back to life 10 years ago this year with vintage Linda Farrow, when we discovered my mum’s archive and things just took off from there. We launched our first collaboration with Eley Kishimoto. Now we are working with a variety of established and new emerging names, including Erdem, Jeremy Scott, Agent Provocateur and The Row, and the Linda Farrow Luxe collection is as strong as ever.”

Fashion is the central focus for this growing company, which was one of the first to take eyewear on to the catwalk. “We wanted to be a fashion accessory company, producing eyewear that is iconic, as my mother did. But we wanted to create something different and greater opportunity for designers to create from scratch. When we first brought the collections onto the catwalk, it was quite new, and stimulated editorials about eyewear that the press just wouldn’t have bothered with before then.”

For the Linda Farrow collaborations, Jablon is committed to pushing the boundaries and realising new ideas. “We are doing a lot of things that nobody else is doing. Some of the designs are harder to create than others but our production in Japan and France is next to none and we have access to some of the best materials, including luxury  leather and Mazzucchelli acetates produced exclusively for us.”

Jablon and Sedino talk with excitement about 2013 and what’s coming up as they increase their focus on retail. ” We have a new website and new stores opening, from Hong Kong to London. Linda Farrow Luxe is growing, and we are releasing more than 100 styles each season, featuring collaborations with some of the most prolific designers of today.”

Our tour of the showrooms, even with press samples missing as they had been sent off to Paris, was inspiring, with so many ideas and innovations on the table. Eyestylist will share more Linda Farrow favourites as Spring approaches. CN     http://us.lindafarrow.com/

For more on Linda Farrow with Erdem S/S13 collection, reviewed on Eyestylist, visit:  www.eyestylist.com/2013/01/the-super-brights-2013