Reviews

Erker’s 1879: timeless eyewear design

Independent eyewear brand: The St. Louis eyewear makers are “inspired by the past, to shape the future”

Erker’s 1879 releases its new styles this month, with lots of favourite silhouettes in updated expressive tones. The launch includes 11 frames and a revamp of two favourite designs (Uplands Park and Winchester), blending the company’s signature heritage craftsmanship with a contemporary vision. Above: frames for everyday, the Erker’s styles offer a balance of classical aesthetics with modern day features to offer longevity and all-day comfort

Fenton by Erker’s comes in a brand new grey/black patterned acetate

Model Fenton is an old favourite at Erker’s – introduced in Spring 2024. The rounded eye shape is distinguished by thin rims and temples for comfort, and some patterned acetates including the brand new Tracks tone, a striated grey and black effect.

Winchester by Erker’s 1879 – an attractive pattern with flecks of blue and brown

The Winchester frame makes a bold return in new tones of Mocha, Blue Speckle (pictured), Black Gradient and Sea Top. This frame has a slim rectangular shape – popular for the Autumn season, and a subtle lift on the brow.

About Erker’s 1879 – The brand is a family-owned heritage label offering premium, handcrafted eyewear. Based in St. Louis, Erker’s 1879 has a rich history of over 145 years; at the start, they were known for making anything with a lens, though they later turned their focus to eyewear design. The company is now run by the 5th generation of Erkers, Jack III and Tony Erker. To find out more about the new designs in acetate, visit www.erkers1879.com

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Swiss eyewear brand Götti Switzerland: Perspective sunglasses

Oversized summer sunglasses, with an ultralight feel – from a top Swiss eyewear brand

Produced by Swiss eyewear brand Götti Switzerland in-house, the Perspective collection features summer sunglasses styles, FL04 and FL05. The styles have been created with a lightweight look and feel by means of advanced 3D printing technology. A leader in premium 3D printed eyewear production, Götti’s proven approach to crafting  ultra-lightweight designs with exceptional comfort and fit redefines what it means for a frame of this calibre to not only look outstanding but also excel in fundamental qualities such as functionality and durability. Above: Summer sunglasses by Swiss eyewear brand – FL05 square oversized sunglasses design deliver minimal design and a fine finish – the frame has a stainless steel structure and 3D printed rim, offered in multiple colour ways

Gotti Switzerland
FL04 in teal – by the Swiss eyewear brand

Furthermore, the FL04 sunglasses feature an oversized oval shape. The frame combines stainless steel and a 3D printed rim offered in elegant colour combinations.

JF REY

French eyewear brand J.F. Rey: an iconic frame reimagined

The French eyewear brand J.F. Rey has released their latest LAYERS collection as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations – the collection revisits an icon by the brand

Iconic, statement-making, and ever colourful. The new JF2062 glasses in the LAYERS collection is a J.F. Rey icon that boldly reappears in fresh colours and with a new stainless steel and acetate construction – designed, says the creative team, “to offer greater strength and support”. The round and square eye shape is a signature edition from the French label,  appearing frequently through the collection and often cited for its impressive and unexpected yet wearable look. Above: revisiting a favourite iconic design style at J.F. Rey, in the LAYERS collection – pictured in a multicoloured checkered acetate  with dark brown metal temples

J.F. Rey
JF3062 by French eyewear brand J.F. Rey – proposed as a men’s style with long acetate end-tips

The colour choices this time round in the new combo are fun and dazzling. Choose from four different variations, all patterned and ranging from a blue and white miniature checkered design with bright green temples to a lovely mottled blue with a transparent effect paired with chestnut brown temples. Find out more about LAYERS at https://www.jfrey.fr/en/collection-layers/

RES/REI

Colour trends: RES/REI

Appealing colour combinations characterise the current collection of frames by the independent eyewear label, RES/REI

Best independent eyewear trends: Colour is a carefully studied expressive trait in the eyewear collections by Italian label RES/REI, where the blending of two or even three individual hues enlivens the structure of the frame, with vibrancy and distinguished subtlety and elegance. RES/REI works exclusively with Mazzucchelli, the highly regarded Italian acetate producer, often creating custom colours for their eyewear to preserve a subtle artisan finish and unique variety of exquisite designs. Above: model Orion by RES/REI – part of the Sculptures collection, a range of frames characterised by 3-dimensional layered acetates

Orion by RES/REI
Orion by RES/REI – a gradient colour effect, in purple / grey

Best independent eyewear trends: The current collection includes styles like Orion, where the attractive square eye shape is brought to life in six brightly toned variations. From a black and green layered tonal pairing to a dramatic purple / grey gradient effect (above), these colour combinations are developed by experts over time, with consideration for the light effects created and the interplay of light and dark tones on the wearer’s face. In the variation pictured above, the purple / grey colour of the front of the frame is combined with a deep jewel-like tone of emerald blue.

Master by RES/REI
Master by RES/REI – the close-up of the frame shows the detail of the colours and the transparent around the intense shade of blue

Model Master by RES/REI is part of the company’s Gentlemen collection conceived with sophisticated shapes and rich details. The style is also offered in multiple colour variations including a black with brown havana, a gradient blue havana and an intense slate blue with natural dark brown temples (pictured above). These colours focus on a contemporary theme, offering style and individuality in the aesthetic for the discerning modern male.

Founded in 2012, RES/REI has developed a reputation for its fine aesthetics, creative colour palette and sculpted forms in eyewear. See the full collection of eyewear and sunglasses at www.resrei.com 

Eyewear accessories: update 2025

Diffuser Tokyo highlights the Triangular Prism eyewear bag (type 3)

As part of their collection for 2025, the Japanese accessories company Diffuser Tokyo highlights the sophisticated triangular prism bag, crafted from soft Italian leather and microfibre. With its compact design, the bag will carry three items such as frames and a phone, and features a shoulder strap so that it can be used just like a bag. Above: an eye-catching eyewear accessory from Diffuser Tokyo – the design was first launched at Silmo 2024 – in February 2025 new colours were added 

Elegant and practical: Diffuser Tokyo – triangular prism  eyewear bag (type 3) – pictured in light grey white, black and navy/purple

Part of a series of storage pieces which include a pentagon shaped eyewear box and a rhombus storage box, the bag feels luxurious and unique to carry around, while providing a practical solution for safe storage of items when on the go.

Diffuser Tokyo is a leading independent maker of fine eyewear accessories, specialising in original design ideas produced in high-quality natural materials sourced from the finest suppliers in Japan and Italy. For more information visit www.diffuser-tokyo.com

To see more accessories by the brand visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/06/diffuser-tokyo-new-eyewear-accessories/