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Earthquake appeal: Majorelle by Nirvan Javan

Written by Clodagh Norton – Nirvan Javan offers support to Red Cross in Morocco with profits from Majorelle sunglasses being donated to earthquake appeal

Inspired by the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, Nirvan Javan’s Majorelle frame captures the beauty and unique deep blue colour of the iconic building in the famous botanical gardens created by French artist, Jacques Majorelle in the 1940s.

The design, which has been produced in a limited edition, has been informed by different concepts relating to the iconic location. They include the striking architecture, the blue stone and well-known details such as the yellow curtains and window frames, a colour which inspired the sun lenses in this model. Above: the Marrakech collection is a colourful tribute to an enchanting place

A special edition frame by Nirvan Javan. Model Majorelle is a classic round shape with a slightly flattened top section. The key hole bridge gives the frame the essence of yesteryear

Nirvan Javan has announced this week on social media that revenue generated from the sale of the Limited Edition Majorelle sunglasses will be donated to the Red Cross and directly to their efforts to help those in need following the devastating earthquake in Morocco earlier this month. Nirvan Javan exhibits at the upcoming international eyewear fair SILMO Paris. For more information visit www.nirvanjavan.com

Silmo preview: Lafont Paris designs with Sekimoto

Maison Lafont marks its centenary by highlighting a century of expertise: the Paris label has teamed with Maison Sekimoto to create a unique and dazzling couture frame called ‘Ouvrage’

Combining their passion for creativity and artisan excellence, Satoshi Sekimoto, Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Haute-Couture embroidery, and Thomas Lafont, Artistic Director of Maison Lafont, have together created an exquisite, embroidered frame, a “2023” design that will go down in the history of the world-renowned French eyewear producer, marking its achievements in eyewear as it celebrates 100 years. Above: creating a collaboration edition: Thomas Lafont worked with Satoshi Sekimoto to make a one-off haute couture edition

The handmade Ouvrage frame by Lafont Paris x Maison Sekimoto: an expression of Parisian haute couture savoir-faire

Trained in France’s finest embroidery workshops, Satoshi Sekimoto brings delicacy and lightness to the frame through his skill and sense of detail. Imagining the Haute Couture frame design created by Thomas Lafont like a dress, he decorated the upper section of the frame with the same embroidering pearls and embellishments used in haute couture.

Ouvrage by Lafont Paris x Sekimoto in green – above, close-up of Sekimoto’s exquisite embroidery work in haute couture

Two editions of the handcrafted Ouvrage frame have been produced in black and green. The edition will be available to view at Silmo Paris this month.

About Satoshi Sekimoto : Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Sekimoto’s mother, a kimono seamstress, introduced him to ancestral skills at an early age. At the age of 22, Satoshi moved to France and entered the prestigious Maison Lesage school. He then embarked on a career as an independent craftsman, collaborating with leading Haute-Couture houses. In 2015, he was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Haute-Couture embroidery. In 2022, Satoshi and his partner Laurent founded Maison Sekimoto. This year, Satoshi has been awarded the title of Master Craftsman in Métier d’Art, reinforcing his reputation and expertise. For more information visit www.lafont.com/ https://maisonsekimoto.com

Marni’s fuzzy leather frame

The eye-catching bright green design is likely to turn a few heads

The Mavericks sunglasses at Marni merge streetwear references with sports-inspired design and are a feature of the new Autumn/Winter 2023 collection (produced by Retrosuperfuture and announced summer 2023 for Pre-Fall). The low riding, wrap-around silhouette has a sculpted profile, sturdy rims and curved lenses, creating a sharp and stylish shape. Marni’s signature experimental approach to design is revealed through the unique and tactile finish and materiality of the shape. The frame has been hand-covered with a fuzzy tactile green leather (bovine cow hair), resulting in a luxurious yet playful piece of eyewear. Black lenses and high-quality Italian acetate underlie the construction of the piece.

Luxurious and playful – the new style is quirky and surprising, in line with Marni’s design identity and some of its signature apparel pieces such as a seasonal favourite, the Marni Mohair jumper

Inspired by Marni’s unique design identity that celebrates quirkiness, originality and playfulness, this release is designed to elevate a look with a unique statement, while also offering a new vision of contemporary luxury shaped by high-end craftsmanship and material.  The Marni eyewear collection is produced by Retrosuperfuture. Find out more: www.retrosuperfuture.com / www.marni.com

Images provided with permissions courtesy of Retrosuperfuture – all rights reserved.

Trends: Geometric frames + shapes combined

Written By Clodagh Norton – Eyestylist predicts the revival of geometric designs will continue well into 2024 / hexagons, pentagons, octagons and particularly a combination of different angular shapes are the styles to look out for going into Autumn; don’t hesitate to consider these looks in any premium material from chunky cellulose acetate to the most minimal almost weightless metal designs

For those who seek a change, angular eyewear could be where it’s at: offering something different, flattering and less commonly worn, these frame shapes are a statement choice for all eyewear enthusiasts as we head into Autumn/Winter 23/24. Above: J.F. REY will show new models at the Paris fair, SILMO: their campaign highlights the women’s styles, infused with a 70s-inspired glamour: original shapes, geometric constructions in acetate and custom graphic associations of colours form the basis of this exuberant line – www.jfrey.fr

Andy Wolf 4799 – combinations are a treat at Andy Wolf this season

Among the new proposals at Austrian label Andy Wolf, the 4799 pentagon design combines metal and acetate to create a playful statement for the eyes. This new collection, says the Andy Wolf team, is all about hyper-femininity, pushing the boundaries of shapes, colours and constructions with a result that is versatile and full of detail, from extra-wide temples and three-dimensional glitter to fun and unusual eyewear shapes. www.andy-wolf.com

Pleats1 by FACE A FACE – a very directional look this season combining two shapes, a hexagon with a rectangular cat eye

The beautiful Pleats1 frame by FACE A FACE is part of the new Japan Now! collection at FACE A FACE, a line that will be presented at Silmo in Paris next week. Inspired by Issey Miyake’s work, two lines of colour appear like two origami pleats around the eye. The designers highlight the contrasting effect between the delicate finesse of the lines and the format of the shapes combined, with the two lines of colour resonating in captivating and colourful tones. The Pleats model is conceived as the season’s “perfect designer piece for the eyes!” www.faceaface-paris.com

MYKITA Lite – the 5-sided model Liva – nice colours here include a black and a fresh cranberry tone

The MYKITA Lite collection features model Liva, one of several geometric styles to feature in TV series “And Just Like That“. The frame, along with other striking geometric models in the range such as the Alessia sunglass and colourful Stine specs, has large proportions combined with a comfortable lightweight stainless steel design. www.mykita.com

Charlotte by J. F. REY: designed for youngsters who would like grown-up glamour with on-trend colour

Geometric shapes have made their way into the kid’s collection too. The J.F. Rey line for teens includes model Charlotte in a flattering natural green. The frame is for girls aged 12 plus and offers a style that is glamorous and less conventional for this age group. www.jfrey.fr – For the latest trends and releases this month, follow us on Instagram @eyestylistmagazine

SILMO, Paris preview : new, innovative design

With the Paris fair taking place at the end of this month, independent brands are ready and waiting to present new collections with a fresh orientation for 2024. Expect a showcase of truly unique products, sustainable collections, 3D printed frames as well as traditional, handmade and iconic eyewear design.

Rich craftsmanship, innovation, and a real exploration of frame materials: the Silmo Paris fair is known as a launch pad for new creative talent, as well as offering a mind-blowing showcase of established fine eyewear brands and small independent labels that have successfully found their niche on the eyewear scene. This year’s event is fast approaching, and promises more of the same quality, ingenuity, and imagination from creatives in the sector from all around the world – and the seasonal unveiling of new colour palettes, shapes and eyewear directions that will be significant in the months to come and into 2024.

Already, in line with some of the most eye-catching catwalk trends, the variety in the colour stories look very promising, with plenty more bright and joyful colour ideas heading our way alongside a wearable timeless natural toned palette that customers have grown to love (natural greens, browns and “earthy” hues, look for burnt red, sienna and some refined organic palettes and rich golden tones).

The brands which hold a reputation for innovating and exploring materials with particular originality will bring new fresh proposals to Silmo, in line with the sustainable direction across the fashion industry as a whole and directions in the design world. Above: VAVA will launch a new supremely light aluminium series at Silmo. Made in Italy, the rims have been reduced dramatically as has the size of the hinge. The oversized round eye shape  – completely flat on top – creates a unique appearance – www.vaveyewear.com  

Ørgreen Optics: the new Plus One sunglasses (Imaginary Lines) will be on show at Silmo

Ørgreen Optics will introduce several new and daring frames into its repertoire, where state-of-the-art materials and original colour palettes create a cutting-edge offer of comfortable and contemporary styles in acetate, 3D printed polyamide, titanium and stainless steel. They will include the daring Plus One frame (above) in the Imaginary Lines collection which takes inspiration from the classic Pilot tear drop sunglasses, infusing it with a bold and sporty twist. What sets Plus One apart are its discreet 3D printed side shields. The 3D printing technology ensures a seamless integration,  accentuating the frame’s sleek profile while providing essential functionality.  www.orgreenoptics.com

All focus on temples and temple cores: Hulda by Gotti Switzerland: one of the new styles launching at the Paris fair

In many of the highest quality collections, detailing has become supremely refined, using techniques that draw parallels with jewellery design, and ideas for decorations and special effects that are surprising, exquisitely crafted and often remarkably finished and “finessed”.

Gotti Switzerland will show new styles across its collections, including acetate frames where colour is a principal story. The frame combine an aesthetic where soft lines and highly polished surfaces fuse with playful colours which include fuchsia red, earthy caramel brown and soft sea grass green. The Swiss brand will also present a new titanium collection at the Paris fair. www.gotti.ch

Rolf Spectacles – the new Wire collection will launch at Silmo

Rolf Spectacles told Eyestylist they have multiple new products launching at Silmo. Highlights will include the new Wire collection, which promises a fascinating melding together of functionality and style in frames that offer an artistic look that feels fresh and slightly daring with colour. Among the other launches at ROLF, the stonewashed colours in graphite and jade are likely to be a talking point in the Substance collection, ROLF’s award-winning sustainable 3D printed collection, which goes from strength to strength. www.rolf-spectacles.com

FACE A FACE: models Pleats2 and Kyoto2 in the JAPAN NOW! collection – a brand new release for Silmo

For Silmo, FACE A FACE told Eyestylist they will release a new collection which builds on the exploration of the Memphis movement and a connection to contemporary Japanese design and designers such as Issey Miyake and Kengo Kuma. Two-tone model Kyoto (above) is inspired by Shiro Kuramata’s iconic armchair with a cylindrical backrest (“Sofa with Arms”). The creative spirit of the spectacles is emphasized by the geometric purity of the cylinder, which serves as both endpiece and temple. This iconic design is magnified by angular shapes that create a bold and poetic contrast. Model Pleats2 in this collection is inspired by Issey Miyake and the origami pleats used by the designer. A three-tone acetate model, the design combines two shapes – hexagonal and rectangular – the frame features bold two toned lines which replicate Miyake’s signature pleats in the Pleats Please collection. www.faceaface-paris.com

J.F. Rey 3055 – a new Titanium collection for men to release at Silmo

French label J.F.REY is launching a new line of robust, lightweight, and aesthetically sophisticated optical frames for men. Increasingly ambitious in the technical design, the line is performance-oriented, combining creative construction, rich aesthetics, and quality manufacturing for a top-of-the-range product. Each one has a titanium front, stainless steel temples, carbon or glass fibre details and acetate end tips. www.jfrey.fr

Haskell by Vada Eyes: the US label is showing at Silmo for the first time

Model Haskell is an example of what to expect from newcomer Vada Eyes, the Austin brand we have followed these last years (see https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/12/trance-by-vada-eyes-retrofuturistic-optimism/ ). Their jewellery expertise and commitment to Japanese production – mixed with a very infectious energy, positivity and individuality is sure to propel them into the European eyewear scene with success and well deserved notoriety – right away. For more information about Vada Eyes, visit www.vadajewelry.com

Silmo Paris – the international eyewear and optics fair – takes place from 29th September to 2nd October 2023 at Paris Nord Villepinte. This year, the fair will offer an array of activities, events and gatherings, including the popular Trends Forum, the Silmo Academy, the Silmo d’Or Awards – with an awards presentation event outside the Halls on the evening of Saturday 30th September  – and the IOA Award, a prize which honours an optician for their high level of professionalism. 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!