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An Eyestylist Exclusive written by Clodagh Norton – As Autumn approaches, the Japanese accessories label has added to their stylish and functional collection with a range of chains and cases, including chic sustainable Ultrasuede pouches

Eyewear accessories have emerged as a must-have fashion item, adding an extra touch of personalisation, unique style and personality to an outfit, while having a function to protect and keep frames in easy reach. Japanese label Diffuser Tokyo remains one of few labels achieving a fusion of quality and originality in their designs, as well as providing a wide variety of accessories – from cases to luxury chains – in interesting materials and finishes. The chain designs have a refined jewellery finish, with delicate hand-finished details, while the eyewear cases propose minimal designs in materials that are carefully sourced, with some of their leathers and sustainable materials coming from arguably some of the most highly regarded suppliers in the world. Above: eyewear sacoche by Diffuser Tokyo – in Ultrasuede; below: the ‘Two rings joint metal’ chain is available in silver, black or gold  – it has a distinctive and very elegant jewellery finish 

Among the case designs available, Diffuser Tokyo has launched a cross-body pouch design for storing specs or sunglasses when on the go. A wide range of colours have been launched including the dark brown, black and beige tones trending this season. The holder is made in Ultrasuede by Toray, a high-quality luxurious sustainable material which has a beautiful soft and tactile finish. The design has a decorative cord which can be worn over the shoulder.

Diffuser Tokyo is a leading supplier of luxury accessories to independent opticians around the world. The company will return to SILMO this month as exhibitors with their full range of eyewear accessories, cases and chains. For more information visit www.diffuser-tokyo.com

Written by Clodagh Norton – A brown palette featuring latte, espresso, Havana and classic blends of milky caramel inspired natural colours is a big theme for Autumn/Winter in eyewear – the variation of light, warm and rich brown shades are beautiful for many skin tones

The natural brown palette is easy to pair with other favourite winter tones, and has also been a catwalk favourite across accessories and apparel collections, offering a cozy and comfortable look to stay warm and stylish all season long. Above: French independent label Lunettes Alf offers some beautiful tones in this palette, including classic tortoise varieties and a pale crystal brown. The tinted lenses (above) add a fresh modern look in combination with the classic light brown frame colour, www.lunettes-alf.com

Vera Wang’s oversized Camille style comes in a stunning ‘chiffon tortoise’, a colour which is perfectly in keeping with the lighter tones in the trending brown/latte colour palette. This model, produced by the US eyewear makers Kenmark Eyewear, has a nice large classic eye shape with a lot of glamourous details and feminine appeal. www.kenmarkeyewear.com

The Stewart frame, designed for men, comes from the Erker’s Special Reserve collection. It features a striking rectangular silhouette, softened by an angled cut along the brow. Special to this collection, two decorative Ferris Wheel rivets are found on the face of the frame, while their classic, authentic rivets bring a polished look to the exterior temple. This masculine frame is available in four colours of Black Gradient, Army, Skyline, and Matte Grey – with the ‘army’ tone offering up a unique and easy-to-wear brown variation for the male eyewear enthusiast. www.erkers1879.com

The new acetate model Hedda by Götti Switzerland, which will premiere at Silmo Paris, is part of a refined collection where colours include transparent cappuccino brown, havana and earthy transparent caramel brown. The gradient effect is a particularly trendy look for Autumn/Winter: harmonious brown, coffee and caramel tones are softly graduated to light, transparent or milky tones in the same palette, merging and intersecting in sophisticated ways. A particular feature of the acetate frames in the line is the filigree gold metal inlay, which combines elegantly with these natural brown hues. www.gotti.ch

In the new Paris Line for Autumn / Winter 2023, model Verneuil, an attractive Deco structure with a classical key hole bridge, comes in beautiful colour proposals, including the light brown tone pictured, an expression of a new feeling for delicacy and subtlety in the natural eyewear colour palette. www.ahlemeyewear.com

The Marni frame Likya Yolu brings some vintage finesse to current eyewear directions with its bold square eye shape and classic Havana colour, a finish that is perfectly in line with the new season wave of browns and brown related tones. In eyewear, tones of Havana evoke quality, traditional craft and artisan excellence.  www.retrosuperfuture.com

The Spanish label Kaleos has recently announced new styles in their collection showing at Silmo Paris. The line has several brown colours in the new palette;  the sunglasses style Benjamin comes in this mid-tone brown with tone-on-tone tinted lens and is intended as a genderless style, suited to everybody. www.kaleoscollection.com 

To find out more about trends in eyewear this season, follow our website and our Instagram page ahead of the SILMO fair : @eyestylistmagazine  To read more on colour trends visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2023/06/trends-zesty-orange-a-colour-to-love/

Kirk & Kirk are announcing their Contour Collection in Europe. Karen Kirk told Eyestylist how the new combination concept came to life

Inspired by the path of a river, its natural lines and unique facets, the UK independent brand Kirk & Kirk are bringing their zingy combination frames in the Contour collection to eyewear aficionados around the world. Previewed at Loft in NYC, the colourful styles, which combine Italian acrylic with alpaca silver temples, were fantastically well received across the States in the last months, according to Karen Kirk, co-founder, and take the signature acrylic material used by the UK brand into a whole new realm. Above: the colours are bold and bright in the Contour Collection; model wears flattering green tone from the Contour Collection

“It’s about amplifying the very best in our unique materials. Throughout the design process we take a sculptural approach; sizing and re-shaping our very own grade of Italian acrylic in the same way a sculptor shears a rock….” Karen Kirk

“The use of metal and a combination of textures feels very natural,” Karen Kirk told Eyestylist. “Contour is about the permanent marks left in nature. Sculpture is an ongoing theme in our collections because of the tactile inspiration I get from working with this special material. The contrast between the static etching created by nature with the transient flow of the elements creating it, was the inspiration. The concept was to interpret this with sheared angles in harmony with the milled valley in the temples, leading your eye from front to side, never static.”
Karen adds: “As with all frames by Kirk & Kirk, movement, whether it be the play of light or the angles, plays a key role in the design.”

Asked if a particular river had inspired or influenced the original concept and the special lines and facets, Karen told us that she was thinking of a place close to home: “We are fortunate enough to live by the coast in Brighton and often follow the beach to Shoreham where you arrive at the mouth of the River Adur. From the glass bridge in Shoreham you can see everything from the South Downs to the boat-lined towpath that is called Riverbank.”

The five-piece Contour collection with models named after members of the Kirk family – Emma, Zara, Layla, William and Van – will be on show at SILMO Paris at the end of September. The designs are available in eight bright sand-blasted colours which include jet, glacier, candy and indigo. Expect to see them in selected independent optical stores very soon! www.kirkandkirk.com.

Read more about the Contour collection by Kirk & Kirk on Eyestylist : https://www.eyestylist.com/2023/03/the-loft-2023-nyc/