Reviews

Slim, pared down, and as light as can be. The new Annie model from Blackfin, the Italian independent brand, is part of the label’s Razor “retro-infused” collection created from 1mm Japanese titanium sheet and made in Italy. The eyewear producer has developed special micro mechanical processes to create the frames which, it says, have been custom-engineered to achieve a technically sound construction and finish – one of their lightest yet.

Blackfin is often ahead of the game in its launches and new high-tech titanium eyewear proposals – and even in these difficult and challenging times, the Razor concept represents a clear expression of pushing forward through innovation and bold design, for those who seek quality, technical construction and detail.

The colour palette for the Annie style ranges from the more sombre monochrome black to metallic powder pink, metallic blue, metallic Burgundy red, bright metallic violet and optic white – plenty of choice for all tastes and moods this season. Two-tone versions include white/polished silver, dark metallic bordeaux/polished silver, or Nano-Plated Champagne Light Gold combined with raspberry or bright metallic blue. Check out Blackfin’s full ranges at www.blackfin.eu

The new Milled concept for 2020: performance, design + innovation – in Bronze edition

Tavat Eyewear’s individualistic Soupcan design – first released in 2015, is back with the introduction of a new Milled concept – in bronze. The frames were one of a series of avantgarde eyewear innovations due to show at the cancelled Mido fair in Milan in February – but nevertheless launched and now available, heading out to leading optical stores as we write.

Each frame has been milled from sheets of bronze and through elaborate machining techniques unique to the company’s production in Italy, the SoupCan design has reemerged with a fresh and modern guise. Contemporary architectural shapes and elegantly balanced metallic colours fuse alongside Tavat’s precision and refinement in production and hand finishing for the ultimate contemporary artisan line. Tavat frames undergo more than 100 production and artisanal steps with meticulous quality control throughout each work cycle. The sunglasses are fitted with Melanin sun lenses to offer enhanced contrast, sharp vision and high level protection for the retina.

Model Tank is conceived to embody the “live larger than life, dream larger” ethos. In line with former SoupCan editions, model Tank and all other styles in this series are built with specific technical details including an anti-rotation screw (inside the watch-crown hinge) a rim-lock under the nose, and Tavat’s signature temple made from Niclafor^®, a flexible, easy to adjust material that gives a lasting high quality finish. For more details about the technical properties of these new state-of-the-art Tavat designs in the SoupCan Milled edition, visit www.tavat-eyewear.com

Bio acetate has become a hugely desirable commodity in fashion eyewear, and optical accessory designers are also making it their own. The Orris London range is produced in a material made from wood pulp and cotton fibre. It’s kind to the skin, petroleum-free and 100% natural and biodegradable.

“Sustainability is at the core of orris London,” says founder of the label Tara Shen. “Designed in our London studio, each chain link is individually laser cut, shaped and hand-polished, with pieces taking up to seven days to finish. Long-lasting design and ‘buy better, buy less’ are mantras we live and work by.”

One of several designs, the bio-acetate Spaghetti chain (pictured above) launched in Paris for SS2020, is the most original design in the collection, with a super-sleek silhouette to fit all styles of glasses and sunglasses. Available in Liberty’s, Le Bon Marche Paris and selected independent fashion + optical stores you can also buy these designs for purchase on the Orris London website. To find our more about Tara Shen’s designs, made in the UK, visit www.orris.co.uk

Described as a favourite within the collection, Vysen’s latest colours for the unisex Panache style are eye-catching and brave, a new spin on a design that is one of the strongest futuristic highlights in this collection by the independent label from Miami.