Three

Casablanca

L.G.R. Sunglasses

Casablanca is part of the luxury sunglass line by L.G.R., the Italian company created by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone. Ruscone inherited a collection of sunglasses dating back to the 1930s from his grandfather, and was inspired by his find to the point where he decided to start his own eyewear label.

The colour I have picked out here is hazelnut with a grey gradient photochromic lens which for me offers elegant styling for the changing season and dress code further into summer (50’s/70’s glamour, bare ankles and legs, tanned skinned). This is a lovely, soft combination, and the neutral frame tone promises to be very pretty on the right faces. It also comes in many other colour choices, my next favourite being ivory with blue gradient lens; another interesting yet easy combination is black with pale violet. The models in this collection are handmade in Italy, and hand-finished with features such as flex hinges. L.G.R.’s founder is passionate about artisanal quality and the production of real, timeless objects. This model is simple yet stylish, and the absence of branding allows the frame to speak for itself. L.G.R. is only to be found in very exclusive fashion boutiques such as Colette (www.colette.fr) and Matches (www.matchesfashion.com) and a few select opticians (see the L.G.R. website for details).  CN

www.lgr-sunglasses.com

Style 48 Junior Chic

Linda Farrow Luxe Kids

London based Linda Farrow is known for her exquisite accessories with vintage flair.  Now she brings the same creativity to LF Luxe Kids frames for boys and girls, in luxury materials including 24k gold, and the flexibility of spring hinges. These super-retro sunglasses in smooth acetate with shatter proof lenses, are an exact translation from an adult style,  crafted to fit small faces.  The mink and white gold colouring is sure to please youngsters who like to follow trends.  LF Luxe Kids can be found at Go British (www.go-british.com), and at L’Eclaireur in Paris (www.leclaireur.com). www.lindafarrow.co.uk JG

Attic Safari

Lumete Eyewear

New York based Lumete Eyewear is a newcomer to the eyewear scene. Clara Herrera has had a life-long passion for eyewear, and Barbara Warren harboured entrepreneurial dreams.  So last summer, they joined forces to create Lumete Eyewear, a luxury, handmade brand for women, by women. The collection is crafted in beautiful materials, and colours with mystery and allure.  My favourite is Attic Safari in Turquoise Coast, a curvaceous acetate frame in gracious tones of turquoise and bronze.  Lumete’s signature symbol, a silver lily icon, is embedded into the temple. These frames are a welcome addition to  eyewear and we eagerly await future designs.  They are not yet available in Europe, but we hope they will be – soon! Styles can be ordered  online at www.lumete.com JG

Lucian

Ørgreen

Aviators are the number one sunglass design for Spring/Summer 2011, with all kinds of interpretations available for men and women. Danish designers Ørgreen have come up with this angular, oversized model which is the look I think many will be wanting to find in the months ahead, particularly in this shade of white which is going to be a big thing come the new season:

“Ørgreen keeps one eye in the future and the other in the past with the launch of 12 fresh new frames for 2011,” said a spokesperson for the company. “Sleek Danish design advances in a new streamlined direction with lightweight titanium, beta titanium and acetate frames in colours ranging from earthy to jewel luster.”

Frames from this energetic young Danish company are individually handcrafted in Japan for a good balance of fashion and function. CN  www.orgreen.dk

Meccano by Vanni Nico Design

Meccano by Vanni

Nico Design

Turin’s Nico Design has some particularly outstanding optical frames in its Vanni collection. I have not tried this frame on, but the technical side of the Meccano line is interesting. There are 3 sizes of temple for a good fit and as well as stainless steel styles, there are several combination ones, using stainless steel and a very decorative acetate that is reminiscent of a natural horn, as seen in this image above. In the UK, there are plenty of opticians stocking these handsome Italian designs, so it isn’t as hard as you might expect to get your hands on them. I am told by the UK distributor that Vanni is currently available at Black and Lizars (Scotland), Roger Pope, Dulwich Village, Frames in the Lanes, Brighton, and Derek Spivack (Mayfair).

Showroom Baricole Nico Design
Show Room Baricole, Nico-Design

 

Nico Design is steeped in design history…and is proud of its “passion for all things lovingly crafted” with an “eye for detail”. The company has its own amazing store in Turin “the Showroom Baricole” (www.baricole.it) which is an impressive setting in itself for the presentation of the latest Vanni and Derapage ranges by the company. Should you be visiting Turin don’t miss it, it’s an eyewear emporium of the highest order. CN