Reviews

Bug eyes! Handmade in Brazil, Lapima’s Cora sunglasses

Bug eyes! Snug on the face, brightly toned or classic white, with a contrasting lens hue for an enhanced elegant style : the bug eye sunglasses had their heyday in the 70s and 80s and today we’re seeing them return to the catwalk – smaller, neater and all the more quirky – this look is here to stay – for ’21!

Cora in mint, by Lapima – a favourite in the Lapima SS20 collection

Lapima’s beautiful Cora – reminiscent of the ‘bug-like sunglasses’ – is created with a sharp, modern aesthetic, narrow, elongated and fitting over the eyes with a mask-like effect. The chic sculpted artisan frame by the Brazilian couture eyewear label is much like the handmade sunglasses of the 60s and 70s, with a stunning glossy, smooth finish and pointed end tips that could only have been worked and shaped by hand. The UV protective lenses come in pretty, matching or contrasting tones – a gorgeous off-white acetate is paired with a yellow lens, the mint comes with a brown gradient lens, the ultra violet has a solid green lens….another 8 colours are also available – each colour pairing offering a distinctive character and style.

Lapima packaging: the minimal white protective case is produced in leather

Lapima is a luxury sunglasses brand founded in 2016 by Gisela and Gustavo Assis. The brand works to unite cutting-edge technology with handmade craftsmanship and has proven to be a disruptive presence in Brazilian design. By overcoming traditional aesthetic limits with an avant-garde vision, the label is an invitation for individuality with geometrical lines that play with volume, light and shadow in frames carved by hand in Italian acetate. With the highest quality of materials sourced throughout Europe, Lapima sunglasses are handmade using a 28-step process at their in-house atelier in Sāo Paulo, Brazil.

The brand is available at boutiques including Moda Operandi, The Webster, Tasoni (Switzerland) and Gogosha Optique (LA), with celebrity supporters including Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Katie Holmes, Kerry Washington, Kristen Bell, and Olivia Palermo. For more information about Lapima sunglasses, and to browse the online store visit www.lapima.com

The Friday edit: statement pieces at Soru Jewellery

Statement pieces – ideal for summer – which balance colour and classical details with gemstones and pearls, Soru Jewellery’s Treasures Collection is influenced by ancient Italian treasures and historic heirlooms. Made using 18ct gold plated silver with an organic finish, the line encompasses delicate necklaces with minute detailing, bold, oversized rings and finely crafted earrings with a tasteful yet opulent Sicilian infused style.

Gold features prominently in the line. The coin motifs of the Roma earrings pair beautifully with other unique pieces. The Coral style (below) is one of the highlights, with sparkling golden and opal Swarovski crystals on an 18 carat yellow gold vermeil on a sterling silver base. Across the collection, a nostalgic love for handmade quality and Italian design flair is evident along with a desire to create a decorative, yet wearable jewellery style for everyday and all occasions.

Summer style: Soru Coral ring and Roma earrings – which feature 1980s Italian lire coins and St Cristopher ‘medallino’ embellished with baroque style pearls

Soru, meaning ‘sisters’ in Sicilian, was founded by English-Sicilian sisters, Francesca Kelly and Marianna Doyle in 2013. Each Soru piece is ethically handmade in Italy or Turkey using gold plated sterling silver and semi precious gemstones. The brand has an impressive and diverse celebrity following counting HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, Chiara Ferragni, Negin Mirsalehi, Rita Ora, Jessie J and Millie Mackintosh. Soru Jewellery is available in the UK at Selfridges, Harrods, Fenwick and Harvey Nichols. Or visit the online store at www.sorujewellery.com and Instagram @sorujewellery

Environmental collab – @searchingforchinook with Sea2see

The sustainable eyewear label Sea2see by François van den Abeele is lending support @searchingforchinook to save the orcas of the Pacific Northwest

The SFC Chinook collection features 5 different styles produced in Sea2see 100% recycled marine plastic. The initiative is focused on supporting @searchingforchinook in documenting the fight for survival of the last 72 Southern resident orcas and inspiring people to take action to prevent their extinction. The project is directed by Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams (Executive Producer), Alexandra Johnston (Executive Producer/Presenter), and Maria Nangle (Producer). Above: model Alex by Sea2see – the frames are made from recovered marine plastic. Sea2see has created its own program to collect the waste plastic from the marine environment in Europe and Africa and recycle it into raw UPSEA™ PLAST pellets which can then be turned into new colourful eyewear designs.

Games of Thrones actress Maisie Williams in Sea2see ‘Alex’ sunglasses

Find out more about the project to save the orcas at www.searchingforchinook.com or follow the team @searchingforchinook on Instagram. Find the Chinook sunglass edition at www.sea2see.org

Cool glasses for all face shapes: Morel 80002A sunnies

Multi-sided shapes have been increasing across product lines – the versatility of the styles for different face shapes and their stylish look which balances classic with quirky is great for men and women alike. The latest style in this genre at the French eyewear company Morel is an example of a look that gives a nod to the 1990s, minimal and well-proportioned (not oversize) with a slightly elongated octagonal eye shape and a UV protective lens – in a range of colours for all tastes – black, emerald green and pink. The frame comes from the Azur collection – a dedicated sunglass line which balances tradition and know-how with some notable technical attributes including 100% polarized lenses (by Italy’s Divel Italia) with an internal anti-reflection coating – available on all men’s and women’s models in the line for the current season. Find out more at www.morel-france.com

The Friday edit: lode.jewellery

Chris Cooper’s jewellery line brings another style of glasses accessory into the optical arena. Produced in metal materials such as silver, tarnished silver, gold finish and raw brass, the pendants are designed to keep specs safe while having a unique style as a piece of minimal jewellery. Above: Gemi pendant with an oscillating feature – available in a choice of finishes

Lode loop: model Apse with gold finish

Each metal loop design comes in different finishes and is supplied with a 60cm snake chain or black thread. The label pays special attention to the finish of the raw material and a style and quality to match favourite specs or sunnies. Find out more and visit the web store at https://lode.store