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Kyla Marion Albany, New York

26th April 2012 “How did I start collecting? My mom loved auctions and antique shops; she had a great eye for Limoges and Bavarian china. Once she went to the Salvation Army and spotted an old serving cart under a pile of junk. So I grew up that way, and then I met my great friend Jamie (passionate Vintage collector and antique dealer), and he introduced me to thrift shops. My first collection and largest, except for Christmas, is a vintage sailor doll and an early pond boat collection. I started that in New York City, during the winter, when I wasn’t sailing. The collection was featured in a magazine called Country Collectibles. Vintage appeals to me because it is so charming and warm. Nothing is made as well now – for instance, I have school chairs at my cottage that have no nails in them. The furniture has a lovely patina, and so do old oil paintings. It’s just a preference. The past is so interesting and collecting is so fun. I go to yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops, and of course, antique shops. I even found a few things on the street. It’s the thrill of the hunt – finding something special unexpectedly – for my collection – or starting a new one. Both homes have vintage furniture, linens, and china. I also have early cement birdbaths and urns, so I enjoy extending my love of vintage outdoors. And of course, I love Vintage eyeglasses, clothes and accessories!” JG

Crystal Frames

24th April 2012 Clear plastic – or crystal – frames were a stylish expression in the 1950’s and 60’s – as they are today! Designers are re-inventing – or re-launching – frame designs in elegant, clear crystal. The above frame is from Blue Magic Eye – style 3303 – with distinctive temple detailing.

This handsome vintage concept is sometimes enhanced with new materials, such as Lafont’s combination of crystal and carbon, or spiked with sophistication, as in Framers’ sleek crystal and black sunglasses. www.bluemagiceye.com www.framers.de www.lafont.com JG

Vidal Erkohen

22nd April 2012  Creator of RVS by V, Vidal Erkohen, first set up his business to sell rare vintage frames (www.rarevintagesunglasses.com). We asked him to model a few and here are the results…thanks Vidal! Here, as part of our Vintage series, Eyestylist asks Vidal about his passion for vintage eyewear and how it has shaped his own designs at RVS by V.

“Vintage eyewear has a soft spot in most people’s heart, whether it may be the memory of a loved one wearing them when they were a child, or the vision of their favourite actor wearing them in the their favourite movie. A piece of vintage eyewear from the ’80s may have been a hit back then, but today it may signify a whole era that will bring back hundreds of memories to its user. I believe a piece of eyewear can only truly be iconic by passing the test of time, and that is exactly why some vintage frames are particularly sought after, year after year.

Can you tell me about your own collection, RVS by V., and how it is affected by your love of vintage? “I always try to keep true to vintage style in our RVS by V. designs by keeping the updates we make to our designs very minimal. The way we use materials, our finishing (which we always do as matt) and our colours are all very important to me. I am in love with colour and it holds great importance in all of my designs. I believe the colour tones you use bring a whole new modern look to timeless styles that sometimes seem to come from a ‘black and white’ era. I think men sometimes shy away from wearing colours and this is why I try to incorporate vibrant hues with classic design; I like to help them overcome this habit.” www.rarevintagesunglasses.com www.rvsbyv.com CN  Photography by RVS by V. for Eyestylist.com.

 

Frames inspired by Dolce Vita and Federico Fellini

20th April 2012 From Australia comes another collaboration from the frame company, Colab who launch a line with the Italian illustrator Jonathan Calugi…with images inspired by Fellini. Another super retro theme for our Vintage month!

The collection includes references to the 1963 release ‘8 1/2’ and Mastroianni’s lead character, Guido. The sunglass style JCA001_8 1/2 has a trendy half bi-tone front, matte brushed gold trim and is part of a Limited Edition of 1000 pieces. The best way to order these from outside Australia is online at www.colab.com.au/shop