Reviews | Eyestylist

Vanessa & Mehdi 1003-1007

1st February 2011

Vanessa & Mehdi

Vanessa & Mehdi design frames with amazing engineering feats. In 2007, they won a coveted Silmo D’Or (an Oscar equivalent in eyewear) and they bring a unique style to their creations, with ethereal, futuristic elements combined with technological innovation. Their frames have a mechanism designed in mould-injected metal that ensures a micrometric adjustment, so that every frame has a customized fit for the temples and frame front. The lenses on these particularly distinctive frames, give the illusion of “floating”, and purple is just one of several delicious colours in which these frames are available.You can find these frames and other innovative designs by Vanessa & Mehdi at Blanco Optica in Valladolid, Spain and Optique Milbert in Remich, Luxembourg. JG www.vanessaetmehdi.com

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Nine

Baldi

1st February 2011

Zuërihorn

A favourite treat when I’m in Switzerland is to watch (and listen!) to the cows on the hill above the mountain village where I’m fortunate to stay. Cows are one of the inspirations for the exclusive, recently launched Swiss frame company – Zuërihorn. A creative team of four – Jonas Herde, Livio Notaro, Patrick Basler and Daniel Ferrari – have launched a stunning collection of handmade frames in South American water buffalo horn and Italian silk. Yes, silk. Fine silk is painstakingly worked into the razor-thin horn layers. The result is an exquisite luxury frame that is a mixture of artisanal traditions and modern technology. Baldi, in smooth, polished horn, is sculpted into a classic shape that men particularly like to wear. The piece de resistance is carved into the sidepieces– three little 18K gold cows on each side. Irresistible! Available at Götte Optik in Zurich: www.goetteoptik.ch and L’Osservatorio Venturi SRL, Via Flaminia Vecchia, Rome. JG

For more information, check out www.zuerihorn.ch

Reviews

Flirt

1st February 2011

Lafont Paris

This frame lives up to its name! Flirt is a design with playful charm and style, in acetate and titanium, created by Lafont, the French company with a noble heritage. Edging close to ninety years of Parisian optical history, the family owned firm is an oasis for distinctive, creative eyewear. This particular frame is modern, feminine and boasts intricate details in the lacy pattern of titanium over caramel acetate. Other colour combinations include violet and black, and a very flirtatious red and black. I wear Lafont frames, and appreciate the uniqueness of the designs, the comfort, and the wonderful service that is available in their four Parisian shops, and at Optik Mayer in Munich. JG

Check out further details on www.lafont.com.

This month’s optical reviews are by Joan Grady. The sunglass reviews are by Clodagh Norton.

January

Tortoise Jungle

12th January 2011

Robert Marc

Robert Marc’s Tortoise Jungle is a collection of optical frames and sunglasses inspired by the organized and rhythmic pattern of tortoiseshell with new unexpected colours. Tortoise is a central theme in eyewear history but can still look thoroughly modern, as Marc proves here. And as the New York designer puts it, tortoise says beauty, quality and craftsmanship.

I have viewed the whole collection first hand and I’m a fan of the quality of the acetate teamed with clever colour proposals. The exotic interpretations work brilliantly, red spotted tortoise and chic onyx with black tortoise are for those who want a walk on the wild side.

Robert Marc is an established luxury name in New York with an enviable celebrity following and a passion for quality, creativity and hand-finished products. If tortoise is your thing, don’t let this pass you by… www.robertmarc.com

Reviews

Paint by Numbers by KBL

12th January 2011

New York brand KBL is relatively new in Europe. But they are already stocked by some important opticians including the Mykita Shop, Zurich (www.mykita.com), Probst Optik Switzerland and JLC Opticien in France. This is one to watch….they started in 2009 with sunglasses…now they have launched a first optical range, with a discerning approach to materials, precision milling, careful hand finishing and, they say, rigorous quality control. I may not have seen them up close but there are some cute designs and the model “Paint by Numbers” has a clever approach to vintage, combining a lovely-old-fashioned shape with fresh, hip colours and a lush finish. www.kbleyewear.com