Reviews

Erkers1879 : titanium in combination

The US label has added titanium into the mix, in new ophthalmic models Castle Point and Lakeside

A cool mix of bio acetate for fronts and slim titanium for temples, the two new optical  styles from Erkers1879 this Spring aim for lightness and comfort, with a secure, well balanced fit.

Both eyeglass models come in four colours true to the traditional subdued-modern palette of the brand. As is typical of the brand, attention to detail is interesting and eye-catching, with the year of their inception lightly etched on the left temple tip of each frame, in addition to the letter “V” on the right to signify the Roman Numeral V collection. Honouring their rich history in St. Louis, both models are named after areas throughout the city. Above: Model Lakeshire has a traditional rectangular shape. The masculine frame comes in two classic colours, Crystal and Brown Fade, as well as two brand new blends, Graphite and Shiny Fern. 

Erker’s1879: combination models offer lightness and comfort

Model Castle Point, the round shape with soft edges, makes for a sleek but sturdy design. The lightweight feel paired with a saddle bridge ensure ultimate comfort when wearing this frame. The classic colours of Navy, Smoke, Purple Fade, and Tort, balance the modern titanium temples for a timeless look that is on point for Spring. Find out more at www.erkers1879.com

Blackfin: an enduring eyewear style

Blackfin Pacific develops a precise concept of elegance, based on classic shapes

Classic shapes and technical, minimal, lightweight design come together in a new series of ophthalmic models from Italian label Blackfin. The frames are produced in 3mm block titanium for strength and durability, and undergo a chamfering technique to create a particular refinement and slight softness in the lines and edges. The frames also benefit from minimal welds, used exclusively to mount the nose pad arms, and crafted from a flexible and adaptable material, to offer a good fit for all. Patented Swordfish temple tips can be easily adjusted to further perfect the fit. Above: Blackfin Pacific – model Big Sur, created from 3mm block titanium

Blackfin model Big Sur: new minimal frames offering iconic shapes

The model Big Sur is typical of the line, and offers an elegant panto shape, with pure timeless lines in understated colorations – produced with subtle polished or matt finishes to retain a completely luxurious effect. Find out more at www.blackfin.eu

High-spirited hues by Ørgreen Optics

Lightness and colour combined at the Danish eyewear brand

For the lighter days of Spring, new models by Ørgreen Optics bring together the Danish company’s mastery of functionality and comfort with contemporary colours, expressed in a unique palette designed by the colourist, Sahra Lysell. Lysell draws on many influences in the palette she explores, from the city where she lives to memorable places and experiences, references throughout her life. Above: titanium model Human, a sharp almond shape pictured in ‘matt striking purple’. The frame front colour is combined with sophisticated shiny gold temples which elevates the bright pink/purple tone

Calypso in the Havn collection
Model Calypso in the Havn collection by Ørgreen Optics: pictured, matt pink with matt rubine red

At Ørgreen, similar colours – in these examples a palette of pinks and purples – have a different look and feel in different materials, from acetate through to titanium. Model Calypso in Ørgreen’s Havn line is a stainless steel ophthalmic design – the modern colour techniques allow for the bright and daring hues – often proposed in complex combinations.

‘All I want’ by Ørgreen Optics: Lysell works with semi transparent and transparent colours for acetate – colour pictured, transparent rose violet

The new model ‘All I want’ comes in a fully transparent crystal with rose violet tint. The frame has a noteworthy patterned metal temple core with a textured surface, an eye-catching contrast with the wide acetate temple.

All I want by Ørgreen Optics: a brand new style for Spring/Summer

All the models released, whatever the material featured, have a unique aesthetic and character thanks to a balanced combination of structure, materials and studies in colour. www.orgreenoptics.com

Pont Mirabeau by Ahlem Eyewear

A close look at a bold frame from the Spring/Summer release

Parisian landmarks. Historic buildings. Favourite arrondissements. The new frames in the Spring/Summer collection by Ahlem Eyewear are linked to Parisian life and culture through names of importance, familiarity and striking historic significance, conjured up by memories in the French city where Ahlem Manai-Platt grew up. Typically, the frames in this line are the result of careful study and inspiration, in this case drawing on two subcultures, the original jazz era of the 1950s and 60s, and La Sape, the postcolonial African legacy of self-determination through natty dress.

Among the extensive choice of models, Pont Mirabeau offers a bold and generously proportioned frame style – as an ophthalmic frame it comes in two new shades of petrol light and brown light – both in sync with a sophisticated timeless mood that is permeating through ready-to-wear and accessory trends – and offering special nuances of design at a time when newness and Spring desires are definitely in the air.

Pont Mirabeau by Ahlem Eyewear, pictured in dark light

The frame is available in two other shades called dark light (nearly black but with a degree of transparency to lift it) and dry pampas – a lovely greyish taupe with a crystal finish. All the styles – sun and optical – at Ahlem are made exclusively in France (and sometimes in Japan, depending on the materials and subtleties of craftsmanship required), according to time-honored tradition; they have an obvious hand finished elegance and charisma only possible via artisan craft. Top image: Photography by Andrea Spotorno for the new campaign at Ahlem Eyewear. Find out more by visiting the website, www.ahlemeyewear.com

Mido preview: Milan’s Movitra to reveal new raft of products

Movitra has designed 7 new prestigious eyewear products which launch at Mido this weekend

The premium Italian eyewear brand Movitra has released a preview of its new designs, which fuse luxury and technical details with a precision-focused, minimalist refinement. New entries are to be found in their Ultralight, Combo and Limited Edition collections, with characteristics which include premium galvanic finishes, laser engravings and complex material combinations, often using two or three materials in a single design.

 Above: Angelo in the Limited Edition collection by Movitra – from a line that promotes constructions which combine three premium materials – acetate, stainless steel and titanium

Model Joe by Movitra: a brand new entry in the Ultralight collection at Movitra – the frame has visible hardware and ZEISS sun lenses

In the Ultralight collection, the Milan brand highlights the new model Joe, a light, aviator-inspired design with a square eye shape, produced in 11R51 stainless steel – a steel that offers high tensile strength and lightness as well as a modern, minimal design. The frame is available in two versions, with a galvanic finish and colours of Gun Metal/Rose Gold and Flash Electric Gradient lenses and Gun Metal/Light Gun. This model feature a new crown screw with anti-unscrewing counternut on the hinge.

Movitra models all feature the brand’s patented rotation system, a one-of-a-kind feature that allows the frame to rotate on itself in such a way that the lenses are protected when the frame is not in use. To find out more about Movitra, visit their website at www.movitra.it