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Eyewear Adventures Unfold!

20th October 2012 This weekend launches new eyewear history as Hall of Frames is presented in Stuttgart for the first time – AND – the winners of the first Newcomer of the Year Award 2012, in collaboration with Hall of Frames and Eyestylist.com, will be announced early next week. We are enthusiastic about the responses that we have received! Among the entrants is Jeremy Tarian from Paris, (above, pictured in Paris after winning the Silmo d’Or). www.jeremytarian.com

Rolf Spectacles from the lovely Tyrol region of Austria, have submitted a design made from natural stone, sourced from their amazing landscape. Silverstone (above) is handmade, beautifully crafted, and the stone is deliciously smooth and polished. www.rolf-spectacles.com. Stay tuned with Eyestylist.com for chats with designers at the Stuttgart event, and the winners of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer of the Year Award for 2012! www.hallofframes.ch JG

Fine Art Frames with Technical Virtuosity

19th October 2012 André Le Guin was visiting Hall of Frames Zurich, and I had the opportunity to meet him, and see his remarkable frames! A background with classic training in fine mechanics, Andre’s expertise in this metier is evident in his outstanding titanium frames with a satin glow finish. “The devil is in the detail,” explains the charming and personable creator, (above)  “And I wanted to combine fashion and the technical side.” Definitely, every detail in the frame is an art in itself. Le Guin spent two years in research and development to perfect the shape and the technical elements.

The construction of the frame is complex – medical stents are inserted into the frame, and special shape memory alloys are used, along with unique processing – there are more than 60 production steps to make just one frame. DLC – diamond-like  carbon coating – is used on the frames – and  ensures it is as hard and durable as a diamond. “It’s a slow process, but the result is the best quality,” says Le Guin. The frame is extremely comfortable and feels wonderful against the skin. Three colours are available – black, gold and silver – in a Limited Edition of only 100 pieces – for all three colours. Price? €4500. – A sound investment in eyewear fashion and heritage. www.leguin.de JG

Photo of André Le Guin exclusively for Eyestylist.com by Gilles Stüssi

Eyewear Style and Chic in Switzerland

17th October 2012  In the historic setting of Papiersall, opticians and visitors to Hall of Frames Zurich were enthusiastic about the diverse range of independent designer eyewear on display. International names were represented – Götti, Isson, Res/Rei, Lindberg, Orgreen, Theo, Blue Magic Eye, Framers and LGR,  among others – providing a fashion feast for chic, individual eyewear. Sven Götti of Götti Switzerland (Designer and CEO, above right, with Sales Manager Felix Moreno, trying on TILO) said:”As we are a Swiss brand, this is a wonderful atmosphere – it’s like a family reunion.” Götti’s new collection is a brilliant mix of creativity and technology, in beautifully refined colours. www.gotti.ch

Res/Rei’s Oliviero Zanon, (above) designer and co-founder, was presenting his eyewear collection in Switzerland for the first time – avant-garde designs, lovingly constructed and  handmade in Italy. Oliviero loves to search in old factories for vintage acetate, and the limited editions in unique designs are genuine collectors items. Hall of Frames Zurich was a delightful celebration of innovative designers who are creating dazzling eyewear style and making history! www.resrei.com www.hallofframes.ch JG

Photos: Exclusively for Eyestylist.com by Gilles Stüssi

Mykita / Damir Doma – DD01.

15th October 2012 A lot is being written about this new collaboration between the German label Mykita and Damir Doma, the Croatian-born designer, since it appeared on the runway at Paris Fashion Week (pictured together above, Moritz Krueger, Mykita and fashion designer, Damir Doma). Contrasting materials usually work with great effect in spectacle design and are being re-explored in progressive ways.  This luxurious edition proves that two materials that are poles apart in their make-up – buffalo horn that is warm and natural in colour tone and touch and stainless steel, cool and man-made but aesthetically exciting and futuristic – can be brought together to create something that stands out on its own.

I held these pieces in my hand in Paris and tried one on; designed to be fitted with sun or optical lenses, the glasses have a light construction and the material combination is reminiscent of the characteristic mix of coarse, stiff fabric and soft flowing textures in the Damir Doma fashion collections. Seeing a designer’s concept like that translated with such care and precision in a frame design deserves appraisal, and I look forward to seeing more collaborations between fashion and eyewear designers at this level.

Doma himself explains: “This particular shape perfectly rounds up the Damir Doma look. From the very beginning, our aim was to translate the traditional shape into something modern and create an iconic object.” At the same time, the style is a historic reference to the round glasses worn by the intellectual avant-garde – a design which transcends time. The collection is available at the Damir Doma store in Paris. www.mykita.com www.damirdoma.com CN

Damir Doma, Store, 54 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 75008 Paris.

This report was written by Clodagh Norton exclusively for Eyestylist.com. Please see our disclaimer above.

Fashion Eyewear in an Historical Setting

13th October 2012 Blessed with a gorgeous lake and stunning mountain views, Zurich is always a delightful destination. Adding to the pleasure of this visit is Hall of Frames Zurich, held this weekend (14th and 15th October) in the historical Papiersaal building. Th event highlights international, independent creators, including Bellinger from Denmark. Claus and Marlene (above) founders and designers at Bellinger, produce a diverse range of frames – very lightweight, in splashy colours and classics, in a variety of materials.

The company now make their own acetate, and the frames can include from 2-5 different types of acetates, creatively mixed to achieve a polished, high quality product. For the newest Bounce series (above) – the inspiration is airplanes and boats – modes of transportation associated with romance and glamour, and translated into beautiful frames. For more fashion led, designer frames, the place  to be this weekend is Hall of Frames Zurich! www.hallofframes.ch www.bellinger.dk JG