Advice from an expert / tips on finding the eyewear of your dreams
5th August 2014 Eyestylist is seeing a rise in requests from readers to help find or suggest specialist frames that suit different faces, complexions and personal desires. In response, we are creating a series with expert advice and frame suggestions.
In the first of the series, Gwendoline Radley, a dispensing optician and eyewear stylist at Adam Simmonds / Primrose Hill Optometrists (www.adamsimmonds.co.uk), talks about finding styles for a round female face on the basis of a request we received from a German lady in Munich. Gwendoline has particular experience of working with independent collections and the finest creative frames and sunglasses.
“I generally don’t subscribe to the ‘face shape’ rule,” explains Radley. “Yes, it has its basic merits and can provide a good foundation to work from, but there are so many wonderful shapes out there it seems a little archaic now to categorise them down. So many subtle enhancements to a shape can really make a style stand out, so the wearer looks and feels fantastic.”
Gwendoline suggests these steps: “This particular customer who wrote to Eyestylist has a round face, big eyes and a smallish bridge. She was wanting to change her look and feel more business-like but also more feminine and sexy in specs.
I would always suggest a wearer try things they wouldn’t consider normally, and that way they are more likely to end up falling in love. I get so excited when I hear, ‘I wouldn’t have picked this up but I really like it!’ or ‘I had never thought about this colour!” Choosing eyewear is ultimately about inspiring confidence, and as we all know, confidence affects deportment and well being!”
Gwendoline suggested 3 women’s shapes that would be well suited to many round or oval faces; colours would be dependent on the individual, hair colouring, complexion, fashion tastes and so on. The more colours that you try on, the more you will get a feel for what looks good, what you like best and what will work as a part of your wardrobe.
www.faceaface-paris.com – this has a delicate feminine look and it’s definitely eye-catching; a harsh flat-top style for this face shape should be avoided. 2/ An 80s design with a slightly dropped bridge such as Keren by L.G.R. (top) www.lgr-sunglasses.com. 3/ A soft contoured oblong for a slightly safer option. The Abbott by Claire Goldsmith – www.clairegoldsmith.com – is a good example of stylish but easy-to-wear; the red tone is very good for paler skin tones but often gets overlooked. A high quality acetate will always look elegant and a cut above the rest.If you have a question about spectacles and styling, you can write to Eyestylist at [email protected]. We also recommend talking to a local independent optician stocking a good range of design collections. See the Eyestylist Boutiques section to find some of the top optical boutiques around the world.
Vanni Colours
NICO Design
The Colours line from Vanni Occhiali, Turin’s independent eyewear label, presents beautiful, vibrant candy-inspired colour. The marbling effect and white flecks in each of the bright tones recall the depth of colour and pattern in moire silk. The slight lift on this pretty oval shape gives a very desirable vintage edge. A frame that is both confident and flattering. Red is beautiful on blondes. www.vanniocchiali.com CN
Agitaty
Harry Lary’s
Agitaty is a super example of the intense coloured vintage acetate in the Harry Lary’s collection, designed in France by Thierry Lasry. A typically bold retro-futuristic shape, with interesting volumes, it’s a classic in this collection of acetate eye gems for luxury connoisseurs. The Harry Lary’s eyewear label was first created by Thierry Lasry’s father, Harry, and has been under Thierry’s artistic direction since 2002. www.harrylarys.com CN
Bruno Chaussignand
returns to Showroom Next Door, PFW
28th June 2014 Bruno Chaussignand is a trained optician, owner of O Mil’Yeux – www.omilyeux.com, an independent optical store in Montpellier, France and designer of the eponymous eyewear collection, produced in France in the traditional spectacle making region of the Jura. Already available in NYC, L.A. (Gogosha Optique / www.gogosha.com) Japan and across Europe, at leading optical stores and concept stores, Chaussignand says his label is growing fast – he has a team of reps in France and an agent in New York – but he is clear about his personal desires when it comes to style and design, and his love for well crafted hand finished frames.
“The collection is moving forward. At first, I was more geared towards men,” he explained to Eyestylist.com this week, on the eve of PFW, “but now I am bringing in more women’s designs and we have at least 7 or 8 new styles to show in Paris in September too (www.silmo.fr). My focus is on the balance of each design, originality, so that people have something different to wear, but also the pleasure, comfort and genuine quality of the frames we make in the Jura.”
Details such as the density, the bold sculptural bevelling or “carving out” of the frame, created through use of deep acetate sheets, and work on the temples have become a part of Chaussignand’s signature, as have his paired down metal shapes that reinvent classic aesthetics, with touches of luxurious comfort and subtle refinement.
Bruno Chaussignand shows this week at the Showroom Next Door, Paris Fashion Week (until Thursday 3rd July 2014) and in September at Silmo, Paris. The Showroom Next Door, 108 Rue Vieille du Temple, Paris 3eme / www.brunochaussignand.com CN
Papp UV, Berlin
Sustainable wood+cardboard sunglasses
13th June 2014 Young designer/entrepeneur Cantemir Gheorghiu’s second generation Papp UV sunglasses are pretty unconventional as sunnies go. Made from a mix of recycled wood and cardboard with polarized anti-scratch lenses on the outside of the frame, these are the ideal spare pair of shades – stylish but practical and easy to have ready in a pocket, book or bag; lightweight, flexible and waterproof, with UV protection (UV 400 anti-scratch lenses), the minimal design is enhanced by bold colour and clever details such as flexible reinforced hinges and aluminium end tips. Shapes include an aviator, a round, or a classic wayfarer look.
Want to try one? Eyestylist.com has three pairs of Papp UV sunglasses to give to readers – for a chance to win, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/eyestylistcom/173114572746764 CN www.cantemirgheorghiu.com