Reviews

Elegantly ‘bespectacled’: men’s glasses at Lafont Paris – SS 2021

With chat about a revival of more formal attire, and a return to semi-normal life on everyone’s minds, a smarter dress code and timeless heirloom or keep-sake accessories are billed to enjoy a rise. In men’s eyewear, “lasting” design, and classical shapes have long been a part of the established “work” wardrobe. Oval, round and rectangular tend to offer a stylish and professional air when created in fine materials, and the countless renditions of these glasses ensure that matching face shape, personality and specs no longer comes down to a few limiting rules about proportions of the face. Above: model Harlow by Lafont Paris – described as a sporty panto, this delightful shape with key hole bridge is one of the new “classics” by the Parisian label: it comes in blue, green, beige – with a transparent appearance – and tortoiseshell as pictured. https://www.lafont.com/model/58903/HARLOW-4051/

With larger proportions and a distinguished narrow brow line, the two-tone effect of Haussmann is both modern and elegant. Much like the tone and textural contrasts in the fabric of a suit, this style balances, fresh colours and materials with a very fine structure that offers lightness and long-term comfort. Haussmann sums up the menswear mood for Spring 21 with its “smart casual” versatility and touch of brighter colour on a brown metal base. https://www.lafont.com/product/59022/HAUSSMANN-5507/

Casanova is an all-time favourite at Lafont and a permanent feature of their Reedition collection. Windsor rims of this calibre are consistently sought after for their intellectual refinement and crafted finish, and in 2021 already, this shape appears to have a new found desirability among all ages. Whether that’s because it is part of an historic cultural notion of fine dressing and vintage refinement, this style of eyewear continues to be associated with handcrafting and artisan details even now with the more widespread use of materials such as titanium or stainless steel. The Casanova model in titanium has some different colour choices, ranging from  golden to grey, silver to tortoiseshell. www.lafont.com/product/57802/CASANOVA-006W/ For more information about men’s glasses trends and our selection of fine specs and sunglasses for 2021, click on the Eyestylist bulletin: https://www.eyestylist.com/eyestylist-trend-bulletin-issue-2/

New hot-pink and purple tones!

Pink has always been prized in the Kirk & Kirk collections, a highlight for a window as well as a talking point to wear. Their unique acrylic material lends itself to strong, statement colours, characterised by a light-reflective translucency with a tendency to brighten skin tones. For Spring 2021, the UK label continues to put out small and frequent new releases in what Jason Kirk describes as “a new mode of working most successfully in the current climate”, and two new colours light up the ranges  – at the candy end of the colour spektrum.

An homage to the singer, colour ‘Prince’ offers a beautiful burst of fresh purple while the new Cadillac tone offers a hot even more punchy variety of pink than we’ve seen before at Kirk & Kirk, judged as just the colour to provide a lift or boost in the current climate – and particularly so in a statement shape. Above: Photographer Kathi Harman wears model Cecil in colour ‘Prince’

This season, Kirk & Kirk have also issued a new matte “ice” tone – another variation that works well in the acrylic material – creating a soft ‘glowy’ effect that is striking and unique.

About acrylic eyewear at Kirk & Kirk: the British company is the only eyewear label using acrylic to produce their eyewear collections in France. The benefits of the material are practical – it’s comfortable and lightweight to wear – and aesthetic – it can be produced in beautiful bright colours which will enliven and ‘accessorise’ different outfits or looks. The use of 10mm acrylic is also a benefit for those needing the more challenging and “thicker” lens prescriptions. You won’t need to compromise on style as these lenses work perfectly in these statement designs!

To find out more visit www.kirkandkirk.com – to read more about the brand on Eyestylist, visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/09/kaleidoscope-of-colours-kirk-kirk/

The Japanese label by Meiji Hasui adds new colours for the asymmetrical ‘Shichisan’

Simplicity. Artistry. And a delicacy of style. The Japanese label Padma Image first appeared on Eyestylist in 2014 and is gradually growing, under designer Meiji Hasui’s careful eye.  Breaking with conventions and traditional design features, the label’s new collection (available in Japan and local markets to Japan) includes one of the classic styles in the Padma Image repertoire – the asymmetrical model Shichisan, inspired by a traditional Japanese hairstyle – a Japanese ‘look’ characterised by a parting to one side. Above: Shichisan frame on model. The design was first introduced on Eyestylist in 2015: www.eyestylist.com/2015/06/eyestylist-talks-to-yuuki-hasui/

“Like an asymmetrical and natural side parting, I thought that even if the upper half of the glasses were asymmetrical, there would still be an elegant harmony with the eyebrows,” says Hasui, who has produced several asymmetrical style frames in the last years, including the Ue-Shita and the Moku-Moku, featured on Eyestylist. “We work with a small factory in Sabae which uses advanced technology and skillful craftsmen for absolute quality design.” To read more about Padma Image in English click on the link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2019/12/ue-shita-by-padma-image/   For more about the brand visit www.padmaimage.com

a20.01 – alf’s artisan design inspired by American safety glasses

Lunettes Alf’s style a20.01 is a distinguished design in its acetate collection, a frame for men and women with a thick rimmed panto shape. The glasses which were inspired by the design of protective safety glasses of the 1960s has a striking bridge detail and visible pins on the frame front, a classic feature of the French artisan label.

Lunettes Alf presents spectacles which are designed in Paris and produced exclusively in Normandy, in one of the country’s most prestigious factories for handmade eyewear. The quality of the featured materials is reflected in the choice of Japanese acetate and photochromic mineral sun lenses. Precise in their desire to create timeless designs, alf is inspired by the most beautiful frame designs of past eras, with a sober and clean style – with inspiration dating back to the designs of the 20s and times when spectacles first became an accessory of style and design excellence. a20.01 is available in 6 colours including crystal (above), and elegant variations of dark and light tortoiseshell. Find out more about the brand at www.lunettes-alf.com