Reviews

Valrose show new bags with pockets for eyewear

21st February 2025

The French label has created pieces for women in natural leather and bright colours

Released at Mido in Milan a few weeks ago, the new line of handbags, tote bags and shoulder bags by French accessories brand Valrose feature special storage areas for glasses, credit cards and mobile phones. The designs are produced in natural materials such as leather or 100% wool felt sourced exclusively in Europe, and are made in the brand’s creative workshop in Beaumes de Venise, South of France. Above: Valrose “Huming-bird” shoulder bag – a compact shoulder bag with space for phone, glasses and credit cards – the bag has a jacquard ribbon strap finished with two silver hooks

‘Love birds’ bag in blue leather – a large stylish natural leather tote bag

The new Love birds bag is a spacious tote for women, with a glasses case attached at the front in a matching leather and a handy inside pocket. The bag is available in several elegant colours of blue, orange, beige or cherry. Find out more about this new artisan range of accessories at www.valrose.net

Reviews

Blackfin at MIDO

9th February 2025

Sunglasses re-edition reexplores statement-making concept

The Italian eyewear brand Blackfin is announcing new versions of their ARC and SLOT styles at the Milan fair this weekend, reimagining the two styles and giving them a new refinement and character. For the new styles, the lines have become more angular and defined and the shapes optimized for a premium fit, with the idea of creating a very precise balance between aesthetics, comfort and functionality. The two styles are called ARC-R and SLOT-R. Above: ARC-R from Blackfin – launching at MIDO this weekend

For the two models, the range of colours selected reflects Blackfin’s desire to give the styles a new look. Five hues are offered including Blackfin Black, Olympic Blue and Iridescent Grey, an unexpected shimmering finish that fades subtly between grey and green and violet and lilac. All the styles have smoke grey lenses. The company has also produced two numbered Special Editions – in colourways with the description ‘Lunar White Gold and Obsidian Black Gold’ – both of which have been treated with state-of-the-art Nano-Plating PVD coating. For more information visit www.blackfin.eu

Reviews

Masahiro Maruyama designs ‘stacked’ eyewear ‘art’ gems

1st January 2025

The ‘Step’ concept is created through a process of stacking different elements like building blocks

Japanese designer Masahiro Maruyama has released the images of his artistic new Step models, striking designs which fully adopt the designer’s love for experimental design. For these models, each part has been stacked one by one, in titanium or acetate. Even the end pieces and bridges have been placed freely like building blocks, without adhering to the norms of classic glasses construction.

The titanium styles are also characterised by a bold hammered pattern, a new titanium texture in this collection, with a special dot pattern hand-painted by craftsmen. The acetate models such as the MM0096 pictured below, have an independent end piece and rim, secured together with visible ‘decorative’ rivet pins to complete the piece. Above: MM-0095 from the latest collection by the Japanese designer, Masahiro Maruyama – an expressive one-of-a-kind frame in titanium

Eyewear art from Masahiromaruyama – the asymmetric acetate model MM0096 comes in mat black/black, black, white and grey, ivory, brown and beige or blue, light blue and green (above)

The new collection by Masahiro Maruyama features a total of six models, each produced in four colour ways. For more information visit the website https://masahiromaruyama.com

Reviews

J.F. Rey 3089 – a combination style for men

22nd December 2024

The 3089 by French company J.F. Rey is part of a new series of titanium and acetate frames for men – designed for comfort and style

J.F. Rey has extended its so-called “Sledge Combi” design series with three new models, among them the 3089. The styles have titanium fronts embellished with an acetate inner rim, and temples equipped with the brand’s Combi Flex hinge: a screwless technology designed and patented by the J.F. Rey Design Studio. Carefully crafted from titanium and carbon fibers, this particular construction ensures stability and comfort, while offering refined and decorative originality. The frames are also equipped with long, adjustable temple tips, providing even more personalized comfort. Above: the 3089 by J.F. Rey has “a hybrid metal and acetate structure”

Combining minimalist inspiration with a sophisticated spirit, these versatile frames feature a masculine look that will suit different face shapes. They are available in harmonious graphic combinations, emphasizing the timeless elegance of a chic style with shades such as black, grey, blue, brown, and khaki.

J.F. Rey frames are designed in Marseille in France and are known particularly for the innovative use of materials, to create striking textures, colours and patterns to match individual style preferences. For more information visit www.jfrey.fr

Reviews

SALT. Optics: new capsule edition

11th December 2024

An edition of bestselling sunglass frames released as opticals offers a perfect solution for winter updates – the styles fuse timeless design with signature handcrafted details and some bolder statement looks

SALT. Optics has released a capsule edition of six optical frames, all of which are well-known sunglass styles from its core collection. Worn as opticals, the designs offer bold looks which are a perfect fit with the winter season’s apparel. The frames included are Andy, Desna, Sierra, Teton, Rhine and Rockwood. Each of the designs is featured in new images shot in the Camargue in the south of France. Above: Model Sierra by SALT. Optics – proposed in the new edition as an optical shape

SALT. Optics: a bold design called Rhine, inspired by statement sunglasses of the 1960s and 70s

Model Rhine has an oversized statement design that is fresh in eyewear right now. The style is well-known as a SALT. Optics classic with overtones of vintage classics. The style has a 1mm acetate insert that adds a new level of structure and protection around the lens whilst adding to the colour variation with bold and contrasting monochrome colourways.

SALT. Optics – Teton – a more chunky statement frame

Model Teton has a striking acetate structure, and comes in enticing gradient colours, another detail that has become an important reference in the current season. The coastal and desert fog variations have a particularly beautiful finish.

All frames in the SALT. Optics collection are made in Japan in 100% Japanese acetate and titanium. The brand has created an impressive number of details featured in each and every design including temple core decorations and attractive metal hardware, as well as offering exclusive nature-inspired colorations and proprietary sun lenses across the collections.

Find out more about the new styles by SALT. Optics at www.saltoptics.com