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Independent eyewear: Hall of Frames 2024: Lucerne, Switzerland

An inspiring independent eyewear event for September with collections by international players

Hall of Frames (HOF) have confirmed their annual event taking place on 15th September (9am to 5pm) at the Museum of Transport in Lucerne (Switzerland) for optical professionals. 57 collections will be showcased on the day, with exhibiting  companies from across Europe and further afield.

Nathanaël Wenger told Eyestylist in conversation today: “We have a full house for the upcoming Hall of Frames show this year, and it will be another excellent opportunity to meet up, network and enjoy some time together after the summer vacation….” Above: YOUMAWO, the 3D printed customised eyewear innovators will exhibit at the HOF again this year

Nirvan Javan return to the Hall of Frames event in September with a selection of designs and the Marrakech collection

As well as an established group of brands returning, we are welcoming some brands for the first time, including French brands, Anne & Valentin and François Pinton….there will be a good range of fashionable, design-oriented eyewear for opticians to view. We expect the same relaxed and sociable atmosphere as in recent years.”

Runaway in the HAVN collection by Ørgreen Optics – the Danish company will be present at HOF

The HOF event will feature a selection of well-known independent design and creative brands including Andy Wolf, Carven, Colibris, Coblens, Didier Voirol, J.F. Rey, Look, Nine Eyewear, Nirvan Javan, Ørgreen, Rolf and You Mawo. First-time exhibitors include Anne & Valentin, Alfred Kerbs, Etro, Fleye Copenhagen, François Pinton, Freigeist and VM l’Atelier. Find out more at www.hallofframes.ch

Silmo Paris 2024: new directions

The international optical fair will showcase a broad overview of the latest eyewear collections by luxury, fashion, lifestyle and sports brands as well as seeing an impressive attendance of the independent creative designers in the business – the Paris event promises many different dedicated spaces across the show floor offering visitors the chance to discover the future of optics and eyewear with special attention on the emergence of AI and new technologies such as 3D printing

Silmo 2024, which takes place from 20th to 23rd September at Paris Nord Villepinte, remains the premiere international optics and eyewear event of the season for optical professionals from across the world. The event will feature over 900 exhibitors and 1,500 brands from around the world, highlighting innovation, trends, technology developments and sustainable topics that are shaping the future of the optical industry.

Highlights of the event this year will be the Futurology space, where visitors will be invited to take an immersive dive into the future of optics. Technological innovations and interactive experiences will show different future paths for the sector. Those looking for eyewear innovation and design inspiration will find packed Halls – 6 and 7 – where iconic and established brands exhibit alongside some of the latest and youngest labels making a name for themselves in the business.

The highly regarded Silmo D’Or awards will be announced during a prestigious ceremony to be held in an exceptional Paris venue marking the 30th anniversary of the Silmo d’Or awards presentation. All the nominated and winning products will be exhibited in Hall 7, in what is expected to be an exceptional display for the innovations and talent found in the sector this year. Above: Andy Wolf’s new collection promises plenty of variety in all areas. In addition to new shapes in the “Shape in Shape in Shape” collection, exciting new colour gradients and playful work on unusual shapes and facets, a new line will also be introduced that gives way to a new luxury within the collection. Among the optical releases is model 5148 pictured, an oversized frame made of thick acetate that points to new season directions with its distinctive cat’s eye shape and pronounced facets – with two exclusive colour gradients – www.andy-wolf.com

Rolf is adding new models across its collections for adults and children – at Silmo 2024

Rolf will unveil thirteen brand-new styles from five distinctive collections. Inspired by the refined elegance and timeless romance of France, the Classics models highlight a vintage-inspired, sophisticated aesthetic. Johannes Wacker, the designer behind Rolf’s eyewear, commented about the special releases now previewing: “About a quarter of our new designs, which we’ve named Character, are bold, vibrant, and extravagant, perfectly matching the fashion capital – Paris. These pieces are for the courageous, fashion-forward wearers….” Find out more at www.rolf-spectacles.com

Fusioni 146-04 by Italian brand, Lamarca

FUSIONI 146 is part of Lamarca’s September release for international markets and has been created as a leading statement style for the upcoming autumn/winter season. This frame has a distinctive design that simulates a graphic pattern. The milled details create sequential reliefs, and attractive colour contrasts form a captivating palette. The adaptable size of the frame makes it a versatile choice, enabling opticians to offer it as both prescription glasses and sunglasses. www.lamarcaeyewear.com

MOVITRA have announced this month that they will show 11 new models at Silmo including the new Apex Titanium collection

At MOVITRA, the new releases for Silmo include the APEX Titanium Collection, a cutting-edge eyewear range featuring products made exclusively in titanium. The collection is characterized by a completely new and innovative product architecture conceived to offer an exceptionally comfortable fit, while a series of unique features have been developed for the ultimate performance. Each frame also features some notable aesthetic details such as a two-piece titanium bridge with dual polished/brushed finish. www.movitra.it

Quincy – part of the Blackfin One collection

The Italian eyewear company Blackfin plans to show a cornucopia of titanium designs – including bold styles in the Atlantic series and more streamlined ones in the Pacific range. Colour illuminates the design of the new frames, interpreting a style concept in which Italian artisan craftsmanship and superior quality converge, the company explains. Highlights will include soft and striking colours such as lilac and blue, with Blackfin’s innovative signature bi-colour graduated effects featuring for some models like Quincy (pictured above) – an eye-catching, contemporary design with a trendy new round-oval shape. www.blackfin.eu

A new must-have at Diffuser Tokyo: a luxurious display tray

Accessories are an extra special treat at the Silmo show. Highly recommended for its fast growing high-quality collection is the Japanese label Diffuser Tokyo, where much innovation and material research provides the basis for beautifully finished eyewear storage pieces, chains, cords and cases – for men and women. Made in Japan, their new original iron core leather laminated display tray is one of the latest designs to feature, offered in black and white, black and orange, black and blue or black and green. See the full range ahead of Silmo at www.diffuser-tokyo.com

Silmo 2024 takes place from 20th to 23rd September 2024 at Paris Nord Villepinte. This year, the fair will offer many new events and workshops for optical professionals with particular emphasis on technological change in the FUTUROLOGY Space and new innovation via the Trends by SILMO Forum Exhibition, which will offer a look at the image, shape, colour and materials of different frames, in a comprehensive overview that sheds light on the best eyeglasses and sunglasses by the exhibitors at the trade fair. The four key trends which will be explored are: “Free Colorama” – on bold colour stories and colour combinations; “Virtuous Simplicity” – on the minimal direction in eyewear design, “Classic Variations” – on timeless classics and ‘Full Sun’ – on sunglasses as an expressive fashion accessory in all categories.

For further details and registration visit  www.silmoparis.com. Watch our Eyestylist Design + Inspiration page for the next weeks for more updates and previews for the Paris show! There’s just one month to go!

French eyewear – Paris Olympics’ release by Woow Eyewear

The Wo’Olympics collection by French eyewear brand Woow marks the Olympics in Paris – for summer 2024

A new edition at French eyewear label, Woow Eyewear pays homage to the prowess, nobility and creativity of the Olympics hosted by the city of Paris this summer. In typical Woow fashion, each of the sun and optical styles in this range reflects a mood through its style, colourways and its name, and features signature wording in tiny circular inserts on the end tips. Above: one of the highlights of the Olympic themed collection is the sunglass style Super Olymp’, Olympic sunglasses with a fashion edge. The sunglasses have diamond-like facets representing “the true flagship of the Olympics: like a firework display or an Olympic medal-style sculpture”

Woow Eyewear “Olympic sunglasses”: model Super Swimm

The Super Swimm sunglasses also standout in this special July “Olympic” release: the frame has a retro design in a combination of stepped wave-like milling with the aesthetic of synchronized swimmers’ nose clips – in a striking colour combo of bright red and light blue. The new collection also offers several optical frames including a round design inspired by hurdles and a refined multi-sided frame called “Go Further” – a design which encourages “going beyond one’s limits”. Find out more about these models and more by visiting the Woow Eyewear website at www.wooweyewear.com 

SALT. Optics: the Whitney sunglasses

Named after Mount Whitney, in East-Central California, this refined woman’s sunglasses design offers soft lift, chic drama, inspired by the 1950s

A new oval sunglasses model at SALT. Optics, the Whitney sunglasses evoke a 1950s feeling while presenting a unique identity that is both classic and quite bold. Handcrafted in Japan utilizing functional rivet hinges, the design is produced in high quality 8mm Japanese acetate, and features proprietary colours only found at SALT. – ranging from a soft taupe to a light feminine amethyst tone. The frame is also available in the custom colour Desert Fog.  Above: girl wears the Whitney sunglasses by SALT. Optics in Desert Fog, a colour way with a beautiful gradient effect inspired by photographic imagery of mountain ranges

The Whitney sunglasses by SALT. Optics in the C2 2024 collection – a stunning vintage-inspired shape for the season – the colour – Desert Fog – is unique to SALT. Optics

The model is part of the latest series (C2) of new sunglass designs for men and women at SALT. Optics, which Eyestylist previewed in Spring with Trevor Dylan Kelley, Vice President of Product, of SALT. “Our frames are produced in a very high-quality Japanese acetate that holds its lustre, holds its adjustment, it will last for something like 200 years…” he explained. “We have also made sure that our inspiration and our acetate are truly unique to us. Our custom colours such as Desert Fog and Rose Fog are completely  in keeping with what SALT. does….they have been really popular; I think because they offer a really nice pop of colour but they are also very much inspired by our photographic images of the natural environment and the incredible story they tell….”

This year, mountain ranges have been a focus for the direction of the design and colour story of the products in the different collections. “Our Whitney is named after Mount Whitney, the highest peak in North America. SALT. has always used interesting names and we have wanted to make sure that the optical retailer and the end consumer – when they want to understand the whole story of SALT., can find out about all the details and connect with what we do.” Explore the SALT. Optics collection at www.saltoptics.com

Independent eyewear: Jade by JISCO is fresh with colour

New summery optical style Jade – one of several new releases – is informed by the Mediterranean

JISCO Eyewear’s latest ophthalmic designs take the beauty of the Mediterranean sea as a fundamental inspiration for the new collection. Using Artificial Intelligence, the design team explored what they call “new forms of visual expression” to capture the fresh and colourful essence of the sea in a creative and original way. Above: Jade Publ from JISCO has a magnificent multi-sided shape and multi-colored pattern

Crafted with attention to detail to redefine comfort and style, one of the standout features of the collection is the vibrant palette of modern colours and integrated patterns. From bold hues to fun colours, patterns and combinations, JISCO Eyewear proposes a wide range of shades to add personality to different looks. Above: Jade in the colourway “Publ” from JISCO has a magnificent multi-sided shape and multi-colored pattern – flashes of shocking pink and light blue appear on the upper rim of the design
Jade Publ by JISCO – the striking patterned design from the Barcelona-based brand

Exotic colour and design flourishes are not the only focus in this line, which also hones in on the wearability and ultimate comfort of each frame. “The fit of our glasses sets a new standard for comfort”, says the eyewear team at JISCO. “Precision engineered, the frames provide an impeccable fit, allowing you to wear them for long periods without any discomfort. The designs emphasise ergonomics, ensuring that the glasses feel like a natural extension of your face.”

Model Jade in this Summer collection by JISCO is available in four unique colourways of brown/blue, red/wood effect, multicoloured (above) and a beautiful crystal variation with black/red flashes on temples and upper rim. Find out more at www.jiscoeyewear.com