Reviews | Eyestylist

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

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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

Reviews

Meccano by Vanni

12th January 2011

Nico Design

Turin’s Nico Design has some particularly outstanding optical frames in its Vanni collection. I have not tried this frame on, but the technical side of the Meccano line is interesting. There are 3 sizes of temple for a good fit and as well as stainless steel styles, there are several combination ones, using stainless steel and a very decorative acetate that is reminiscent of a natural horn, as seen in this image above. In the UK, there are plenty of opticians stocking these handsome Italian designs, so it isn’t as hard as you might expect to get your hands on them. I am told by the UK distributor that Vanni is currently available at Black and Lizars (Scotland), Roger Pope, Dulwich Village, Frames in the Lanes, Brighton, and Derek Spivack (Mayfair).

Nico Design is steeped in design history…and is proud of its “passion for all things lovingly crafted” with an “eye for detail”. The company has its own amazing store in Turin “the Showroom Baricole” (www.baricole.it) which is an impressive setting in itself for the presentation of the latest Vanni and Derapage ranges by the company. Should you be visiting Turin don’t miss it, it’s an eyewear emporium of the highest order. CN