Reviews | Eyestylist

Toluca

1st July 2011

l.a. Eyeworks

The epitomy of eccentric eyewear, I am very delighted to be able to present l.a. eyeworks’ fabulous Toluca sunglass. This chic cat, a must-have shape this summer, comes in a very lush striped acetate, a colour referred to as “Blue Purple Friends”. A typical feature of the plastic frames by this company, Toluca features clever milling (the technique used to cut away layers of the acetate material) to give a contoured brow and a decidedly flirtatious design. A frame to make heads turn “from Hollywood to St. Tropez”. Also available in some other imaginatively named colour choices: “wine and grapes”, “nut butter”, and a real stunner for the ladies, “girly pinks”. www.laeyeworks.com CN

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Four

Leonard 3

1st July 2011

Illesteva

On first glimpse this looks like a horn style, but it’s actually a lovely acetate style with the look and patterning of buffalo! Handmade in Italy, the shape is a version of the brand’s already iconic Leonard style, with the undersides cut out. Illesteva was founded in 2009 by Daniel Silberman and born-and-raised New Yorker Jus Ske. The designers strive to push normal boundaries of design by exploring fresh shapes and materials like bamboo, titanium and natural horn. A name that is already much favoured by the fashion elite, the brand is now in London at Matches, Browns and Liberty, and at Box in St Tropez, France. The online shop at www.illesteva.com shows the full collection. CN

Five

Goddess / Kinetic Solaire Collection

1st July 2011

Kirk Originals

An instant eye-catcher, it’s the original lenticular panel designs of the Kinetic Solaire Collection that have brought this sunglass range particular recognition. While a photo really doesn’t do the effect justice, you can just see the kaleidoscopic rainbow colours of the temple panel decorating model Goddess in the image above. I like the combination of classic oversized shape in traditional tortoise fused with the unexpected futuristic moving imagery. Available in six shapes and four classic colours, white, tortoise (pictured), black and aubergine. Recommended retail price: £269.00. Available from the Kirk Originals flagship store at 6 Conduit Street, London W1, just off Regent’s Street. CN

www.kirkoriginals.com

July

CR 14253

1st July 2011

Christian Roth

This expressive frame with its dramatic, geometric shape is also known as Full Volume, and it’s easy to understand why! The king of Op Art, Victor Vasarely, a Hungarian-French artist, recognised for his optical illusion art and sculpture, was the inspiration for this superb design by Christian Roth and Eric Domege. As a wearer of ophthalmic frames, I especially like the beautiful flow of handmade black acetate, which is then given additional depth with double sided laminated black on crystal, providing a three dimensional effect. It’s an elegant frame, exuding refinement and beauty. A must for devotées of chic eyewear! It’s also available in delicious colours of purple on blue, honey on beige, and Havana on transparent green. www.christian-roth.com JG

July

Henry

1st July 2011

Pierre Eyewear

Summer is the season to relish wearing colours that relate to nature – the luscious blue of the sky, the white froth of an ocean wave, the green variations of gardens and trees. Pierre Eyewear translates some of nature’s bounty into a stylish white acetate design, highlighted with tones of aqua and turquoise. The rectangle shape is graceful and easy to wear. Handmade in France, and always produced to his exacting standards, Pierre believes that eyewear should be fun, as well as functional. Available at Optique des Entrepreneurs in Paris. www.pierre-eyewear.com JG