Reviews

The restrained elegance of the Delirious collection from Italy is well represented in the subtle shaping of their new model Explorer, one of the most beautiful horn designs shown at the eyewear trade fairs this season.

Wearing a horn frame is akin to wearing a tailored suit or elegant silk dress. The natural material has a soft and tactile surface, making it pleasant to wear, comfortable on the skin and completely hypoallergenic. In the sculptured artisan shape of Explorer, hints of the geometric trend are achieved while retaining the comfort of rounded rims in the lower section. Delirious focuses on time-honored traditions for its buffalo horn collection. The company founder Marco Lanero has been recognised by  Vogue Italia in Who’s on next? (2018) – an award scheme by AltaRoma (www.altaroma.it) for excellence and innovation in the production of Italian-made fashion products. The label is stocked exclusively by renowned opticians and concept stores around the world. For more details visit www.deliriouseyewear.com CN

Modern, refined and contemporary: FICTION – the debut collection of prescription eyewear frames –  has been launched by l.a. Eyeworks. The FICTION collection features twenty different frame styles constructed from quality acetates and stainless steel, often in combinations with customised colourations. The California brand also offers a sunglass selection in FICTION. Designers Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds bring a multitude of experience as opticians and retailers – plus their celebrated originality – to the latest eyewear project at l.a. Eyeworks. “Fiction expands l.a. Eyeworks trailblazing legacy of creating innovative, desirable eyewear that emboldens the work of independent opticians,” observes l.a. Eyeworks President Rob Rich. Featured above from the top: CHANT in tortoiseshell acetate, SAIL in stainless steel with a curved double-bridge, and BEAM is a combo of acetate and stainless steel, all positioned on a FICTION cleaning cloth.

Giving Back and contributing to society is an ongoing passion for l.a. Eyeworks. Based on the belief in the written word as a pathway to positive self-expression and growth, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each FICTION frame benefits 826LA, a Los Angeles based non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting students with their creative and expository writing skills, and to help teachers inspire the value of the written word in their students. Discover more sleek FICTION prescription frames at www.fictionframes.com JG

Expect the unexpected with luxurious frames from Anna-Karin Karlsson. Exuberance, individuality, and an eclectic tempo characterise her eyewear. The latest optical designs by the Swedish independent eyewear and jewellery designer combine elegant materials, unique shapes and abundant creativity. Her award winning glamorous creations bring stylish chic to spring wardrobes. Crystal Nest makes a distinctive fashion statement – modern and compelling. Rose Gold Japanese titanium unites with shimmering crystals, and a sleek take on a pilot shape with graphic elements accentuates the lenses. Anna-Karin Karlsson designs are available in fine optical shops and at Neiman-Marcus in the United States. Explore more of Anna-Karin’s artistic, edgy designs at www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG

Award-winning Fleye Copenhagen welcomes the spring/summer season with elegant boxed sets featuring Signature styles. The Limited Edition of eight different stunning sets includes an optical and sunglass design in a beautifully appointed lined box. Fleye Copenhagen Signature frames express a graphic attitude, in superior materials with inspired shapes. In the box featured above – optical design Valmue is aesthetically streamlined with soft nuances. Utopia sunglasses radiate a hint of a delicate graphic cat-eye. Fleye Copenhagen eyewear is handcrafted with dedication to beauty, details, fit, and performance. For more details about the Fleye Copenhagen Signature Sets explore www.fleye.dk JG

3D printed eyewear is now widely available, and the lightweight, easy-to-wear polyamide material has become one of the leading state-of-the-art material choices in high-end eyewear boutiques worldwide. Young German 3D printed eyewear company You Mawo is one of the design-led businesses to develop its potential in a bespoke-fit, individualised service. Their innovative system takes a scan of the customer’s face with an iPad and provides a choice of timeless basic frame shapes in contemporary colours from which the final design can then be adapted for a wonderfully comfortable fit. The frame is produced in Germany within a few days and sent to the customer’s optician with the optimized shape for the customer – a service for which they have become much admired. They promise a turnaround for delivery of the final frame of 15 working days.

You Mawo’s Aviator style Ketil is one of the styles currently available, super light and very fine in the structure which is strong, stable and extremely elegant on the face.  “The final product is a unique symbiosis between human, science, craftsmanship and technology”, say the founders, with the added benefit of the 3D printing technique that waste is limited during the manufacturing process. Find more designs and learn more about the fast-growing You Mawo brand at www.youmawo.com CN