Reviews Archives - Page 162 of 173

02 Isolde 1300

1st June 2011

Ralph Vaessen

Unusual materials to be found in eyewear include the unexpected use of snakeskin, favoured by Dutch designer Ralph Vaessen. I spotted these sunglasses at jlc opticien on chic and fashionable Rue de Bac in Paris, and liked the oversized shape, strong brow and linear movement. The fit is superb too. Vaessen’s entry into eyewear came about as a fluke – he couldn’t find frames that he really liked, and an optician suggested that Vaessen design his own frames. The optician knew a small atelier that could make them. Already passionate about music, art, fashion and architecture, Vaessen has found his true metier in creating luxurious, unique eyewear, and was nominated for a Silmo D’Or in 2010. More details at www.ralphvaessen.com and www. jlcopticien.com JG

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

Reviews

No Mercy 740

1st June 2011

Intrigue NY

This is a real New York collection – spirited, sharp and sleek – created by a real New Yorker, Jeff Royce. I haven’t seen this collection yet, but a chat with Jeff and studying photos confirm his goal to design eyewear with flair, precision and superb craftsmanship. Royce works in beautiful Italian and Japanese acetates. No Mercy, shown above, illustrates acetate’s flexibility, with the front colour contrast giving a robust quality to the modern retro shape. This frame is also available in black and tortoise – stunning! Intrigue NY frames are not yet available in Europe, but we hope they will be soon. www.intrigueny.com JG

Four

Super Seven 30

1st June 2011

Rolf Spectacles

Prizes – a Silmo D’Or in 2010 – and plaudits are well deserved for Rolf Spectacles. The Tyrolean based brand has chosen a centuries old environmental material – Bamboo – for this beautiful, green and sustainable frame. Clodagh and I are both fans of the emphasis on Bamboo this season. The material has the ability to withstand pressure with its natural strength, making it very effective for eyewear. Rolf Spectacles uses an intricate process that is required to achieve the smooth elegant surface on the frame. The wonderful texture of the bamboo and the gentle curved shape ensures a distinctive character. Each Rolf frame is handmade, and can be equipped with buffalo horn temple tips. Rolf Spectacles is a young, creative firm – definitely one to watch in eyewear. www.rolf-spectacles.com JG

Five

Kyla

1st June 2011

Salt Optics

When I look at these lovely frames, I want to pack my bags and head for the seaside! The azure blue design in silky acetate triggers happy memories of the sea, sand, sunshine, and seagulls. The flow of the frame shape demonstrates the versatility of acetate and its shimmering beauty. These glasses are perfect for sunny outings at the beach, with polarized grey gradient CR39 lenses, providing superior protection from the sun’s rays. Salt is a California based company, and the handcrafted, stylish collection is available in Europe. www.saltoptics.com JG

Reviews

LF Luxe 31

1st June 2011

Linda Farrow Luxe

I love the bamboo trend, and here’s a great frame from the luxury collection by the UK’s Linda Farrow, which uses bamboo temples. The frame pictured here has a graduated black to clear plastic front teamed with clear lenses, but there is also flexibility to fit the style as a sunglass. The bamboo sides are quite chunky, making a feature of the texture of the material and producing a clever contrast with the smooth front of the design. Other colours I like in this are the tortoiseshell frame with gradient sun lenses which match with the natural bamboo tones. Linda Farrow Luxe uses titanium finishings plated in 24-carat gold, another sophisticated detail which shows the attention paid to every small part of the design. CN

www.lindafarrow.com