Reviews

Models Leavitt and Nobel draw on designs from the French company’s archive…

New ophthalmic designs at Morel, announced just a few days ago, draw on the expertise and heritage of the French eyewear producer founded in 1880 in the Jura mountains. The frames are created in acetate and metal with particular details to transform the styles for a contemporary context. Above: The new styles at Morel, Leavitt and Nobel

Model Leavitt is a round acetate design with a flattened top and distinctive keyhole bridge. Lightweight and delicately finished, the style benefits from a technically robust Morel hinge for comfort and durability. Metal hardware is visible on the front.

The Nobel metal frame is inspired by Morel’s iconic Tydée, a signature model launched by the company in the 1960s; this design also incorporates modern features like the flex hinge for superior comfort and feels lightweight and minimal with a look that is particularly desirable for everyday wear. This model is adorned with the company’s signature five-line engraving – a sign of the company heritage engraved on each end piece, and visible from every angle. Find out more about the two frames and the rest of the eyewear collection by Morel at www.morel-france.com

Based in Copenhagen, the young eyewear designer, Vincent Catani is expanding his reach into well-known fashion retailers

With sun styles now available at Lot#29 (Copenhagen), young designer Vincent Catani has produced a sunglasses collection with chic appeal, designed with the fashion consumer in mind and crafted in the city of Sabae in Fukui in Japan for “top-tier quality”. The style is bold and vintage inspired – Catani’s dad was an avid eyewear collector with a passion for quality – as well as leaning towards lasting design qualities and not just the season’s trends.

Catani’s attitude towards design is oriented towards sustainability and product longevity, with a desire to elevate a person’s outfit and achieve the “perfect balance.” Influences in his work include the natural world and a serious passion for the skateboarding world, which, he says has played a definitive role in the development of his own personal style.  Above and below: the sunglasses style Muse – an oversized sunglasses design inspired by aviator sunglasses. Catani calls the style a fashionable all-rounder “from glamorous and dressing up to loungewear and sneakers…”

Currently, the collection includes five styles – Muse, BTF, Director, Isac and model 76. The Muse sunglasses in cellulose acetate and M49 bioplastic come in three colours, black, light brown and brown with different coloured lenses in yellow, light green or black.

About the designer: Vincent Catani’s eyewear brand is just a few years old. The collection is made in Japan and features materials such as titanium and bio-acetate. Earlier this year, Catani launched a collaboration with the artist Eric Marquez (https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/02/finnish-designer-vincent-catani-collabs-with-eric-marquez/) which featured sunglasses and frame cases handpainted by the artist – to find out more about the eyewear designer visit www.vincentcatani.com  

 Men’s optical styles in the French brand’s Sledge Series – a contemporary design style for men

Part of the Sledge Series, a line that embraces design with fresh, bold, creative ideas, the JF3053 offers a streamlined shape with architectural lines in elegant mixed materials. The style comes from a line that features titanium and carbon for strength and lightness, acetate and titanium for perfect balance, or even in some cases a bold fusion of all three.

The JF3053 has a lightweight, resistant titanium front and morphological stainless steel temples, a combination specially configures to offer optimum comfort. Its exclusive screwless hinge, integrated into a block decorated with carbon fiber or fiberglass details, adds a unique touch to its industrial and trendy style. The satin finish and patented design make this frame the perfect choice for men seeking a look that’s both technical and sophisticated. Above: JF3053 in the Sledge Series at J.F. Rey

Known for innovative design work and a fresh approach to colour, the Sledge Series also aims to please all tastes with a good variety of frames with bold or more minimal constructions and round, rectangular and geometric shapes.

The technical aesthetic of the JF3107 expresses the focus on an eyewear style that is wearable and comfortable – with timeless appeal. This style also features the patented screwless flex temples for which the series in particularly well known. Find out more at www.jfrey.fr

The French label has created pieces for women in natural leather and bright colours

Released at Mido in Milan a few weeks ago, the new line of handbags, tote bags and shoulder bags by French accessories brand Valrose feature special storage areas for glasses, credit cards and mobile phones. The designs are produced in natural materials such as leather or 100% wool felt sourced exclusively in Europe, and are made in the brand’s creative workshop in Beaumes de Venise, South of France. Above: Valrose “Huming-bird” shoulder bag – a compact shoulder bag with space for phone, glasses and credit cards – the bag has a jacquard ribbon strap finished with two silver hooks

The new Love birds bag is a spacious tote for women, with a glasses case attached at the front in a matching leather and a handy  inside pocket. The bag is available in several elegant colours of blue, orange, beige or cherry. Find out more about this new artisan range of accessories at www.valrose.net

Sunglasses re-edition reexplores statement-making concept

The Italian eyewear brand Blackfin is announcing new versions of their ARC and SLOT styles at the Milan fair this weekend, reimagining the two styles and giving them a new refinement and character. For the new styles, the lines have become more angular and defined and the shapes optimized for a premium fit, with the idea of creating a very precise balance between aesthetics, comfort and functionality. The two styles are called ARC-R and SLOT-R. Above: ARC-R from Blackfin – launching at MIDO this weekend

For the two models, the range of colours selected reflects Blackfin’s desire to give the styles a new look. Five hues are offered including Blackfin Black, Olympic Blue and Iridescent Grey, an unexpected shimmering finish that fades subtly between grey and green and violet and lilac. All the styles have smoke grey lenses. The  company has also produced two numbered Special Editions – in colourways with the description ‘Lunar White Gold and Obsidian Black Gold’ – both of which have been treated with state-of-the-art Nano-Plating PVD coating. For more information visit www.blackfin.eu