Reviews | Eyestylist

Japanese designers: Ue-Shita by Padma Image

15th December 2019

Padma Image, the Japanese independent eyewear line (which is yet to arrive in Europe) continues to inspire us with its asymmetrical spectacles and experimental design work which is always surprising, skilful and unique in presentation. The new “Ue-Shita” translates “Top and Under” – it combines the quirky style of the frame which has a half-rimless asymmetrical construction with bright colours and patterns inspired by the painter Ichiro Yamaguchi and his work TONE – recreated in the frame with care with a UV layered printing technique.

Artist Ichiro Yamaguchi’s work as inspiration – TONE

Padma Image by young designer Meiji Hasui looks forward to launching in Europe shortly. Eyestylist has been following the brand since 2014. See earlier models at: https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/11/rotary-no-50/ https://www.eyestylist.com/2015/06/eyestylist-talks-to-yuuki-hasui/ – For more information: www.padmaimage.com CN

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Reviews

Independent eyewear: Paradigm 19-11

9th December 2019

A brand new line with a youthful vision, committed to independent eyewear style for everyday wear: Paradigm is offering a striking balance of style and value, with “something for everyone” in terms of details and tonal combinations. Launched in 2019, the collection offers a series of modern everyday basics, like the 19-11 geometric shape, in well-matched contemporary materials and colorations with a twist. Model 19-11 combines an acetate rim inside a thin metal structure – produced in gold or rose gold (as a sun or optical style). Top image: Model/stylist Garret Gooch (www.garretgooch.com) wears Paradigm model 19-11.

The independent Paradigm brand was designed by a team of creatives at Kenmark Eyewear (USA) – to be very diverse, fitting a wide variety of faces, ethnicities, ages and personal styles. For more details visit the Kenmark website at www.kenmarkeyewear.com

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Reviews

Swiss design, Sol Sol Ito: 044 DF

4th December 2019

Swiss design label Sol Sol Ito has some memorable shapes amongst its ‘Original’ collection, of which the 039 and 035 are two of the standout shapes (find more of the models at https://www.eyestylist.com/2019/05/sol-sol-ito-captivating-sun-styles-that-sizzle/). This month, another standout one has joined the series, based on a classic teardrop pilot shape with a beautiful double bridge. A close inspection reveals a slight lift on the upper rim and a svelte ‘sculpted’ lower rim, typical of the 1970s (both the acetate and metal designs in this genre).

044 DF: the makings of an icon at Sol Sol Ito, Switzerland

Colours at Sol Sol Ito come together as if from an artist’s palette, with some of the most outstanding yet subtle graduated tones we are currently seeing and a choice of rich hues as well as transparent ‘crystal’ pastel tones. The new 044 DF frame is offered in hand polished yellow-green, brown-orange and beige-gold – paired with the lightweight modular ‘click-in’ temples, the design of which Sol Sol Ito has become especially well-known.

Sol Sol Ito glasses and sunglasses are produced by design duo Monika Fink (designer/sculptor) and Sandra Kaufmann (co-head, industrial design, Zurich University) in Switzerland. Their sun and optical collections are stocked by some of the finest opticians worldwide including Auerbach & Steele (London). For more details and further stockists, visit www.solsolito.com. Above: Photography for Sol Sol Ito by Hans Hansen.

Reviews

Gift guide: Diffuser Tokyo accessories

1st December 2019

Gift guide: Diffuser Tokyo eyewear accessories and leather jewellery for men and women

Diffuser’s range of accessories is part focused on eyewear, and part jewellery in its own right. Designed by Masaki Hirose who saw a lack of well-designed products in natural materials such as leather, the collection is extensive and well curated, expanding into neck cords and bracelets, as well as cases and cotton eyewear pouches in chic two-colour palettes.

Already popular in capital cities and stocked by department stores including Daimaru in Tokyo and the most exclusive optical retailers such as Decora, the brand has been recently “discovered” by European retailers and is gradually becoming more widely available in cities such as Paris and Berlin. Find them at Schoenhelden (Berlin), KLAR (Darmstadt, Germany), L’Artisan du Regard (Paris), Dunoyer Opticiens (Paris) and Bromptons Brighton (UK). Click on the link to view more products: https://diffuser-tokyo.com CN

Reviews

Winter sunglasses: Lapel by TBD Eyewear

26th November 2019

TBD Eyewear (The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear) has a reputation for Italian design style at an affordable price, with sunglasses priced at under 200 euros. Like their bestselling unisex style, The Cran, a frame we have tried and tested (https://www.eyestylist.com/2019/01/the-cran-by-tbd-eyewear/) model Lapel offers an “easy” design for men with a vintage-infused, slightly squared shape suited to all kinds of faces. With a flattened top that has become a hugely popular detail for the current season across collections, the frame now comes in amber tortoise, honey or green tortoise, shades which are beautiful through winter, paired with decent UV protective lenses in well-selected tones of tobacco or bottle green.

Neopolitan influencer, style expert and founder of TBD, Fabio Attanasio, wears model Lapel in Amber

The TBD brand has dedicated itself to providing reliable delivery through its online service, and for those who seek a quick shopping option (pre-Xmas!) their frames arrive quickly and easily (delivery guarantee of 2-5 days). Founder of the independent label Fabio Attanasio is a well-known face in menswear, and his blog continues to be a faithful supporter of good design, craftsmanship and tailoring across the men’s fashion industry and a great source of information on tailoring and artisan accessories. Find out more about the blog at http://www.thebespokedudes.com/en For the sunglasses and eyewear collections visit www.thebespokedudeseyewear.com – sign up for the newsletter for special offers. CN