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Italian independent eyewear: Tree Spectacles

Contemporary. luxurious and minimal, by design

A dynamic brand that continues to propose a minimal Italian design style with intriguing, playful colours. The most recent Tree Spectacles collections include a balanced mix of materials, and most importantly Japanese titanium and Mazzucchelli acetate. A combination of pure titanium and beta titanium ensures a light and comfortable fit while a unique aesthetic is based on reflections and effects of light in specialised colours and modern combinations. In the acetate collections, Tree has evolved a subtle mix of materials where the bold and structured acetate front is combined with titanium temples. Above: Tree Spectacles uses fine quality Italian acetate from Mazzuchelli 1879

Tree Spectacles: bold constructions with shiny and matt surfaces

For MIDO 2022, the Italian optical trade fair which takes place this coming weekend, the Co-Founder of the brand, Marco Barp told Eyestylist that he is preparing to present four further models – two for men and two for women. The new styles expand on the current success of the collection at Tree. The women’s styles have a bold and striking look with thick acetate structures which frame the eyes.

“We have continued to introduce vibrant colours, with more transparent effects. For the first time we have introduced acetate temples on acetate fronts as normally we combine materials such as acetate with titanium. This is a new series with temples that have a strong fashion look always with a structured and yet minimal design aesthetic. The men’s models are real classics with a 70s look. Here we are also introducing full acetate for the first time  – and we have worked on a very particular finish with an artisanal execution that is really exclusive.”

Tree Spectacles: model Midas comes in some dramatic, super modern colour combinations as well as timeless colour mixes

“The 1970s forms and shapes are returning. We are developing ideas influenced by this direction. With Tree, we can present almost any type of shape while always being coherent with our philosophy of design. All our ideas, from the finishing and the colours, right through to the overall design, are presented according to our very particular view point…” Marco Barp, Co-Founder, Tree Spectacles

With its clean and minimalistic approach to design and strong Italian identity in terms of style and colour, Co-Founder Marco Barp expands on this coherent evolution of the collections, always respectful of the core values of Tree. “Our DNA is very much about a very modern approach with a minimal aesthetic and we continue on this path as we put out new products. We like everything to be very clean and we will continue to evolve this style occasionally adding very different flashes of colour or details that are inspired by the world of fashion. As Italians we are completely surrounded by the world of fashion …but we try to continue also to produce our ideas guided by a clean and minimal style. Our collections will evolve like this, even if we will introduce 1970s inspired designs – something we are already working on for the season ahead.”

On colour, we asked Barp to explain his current favourites in the collection. “I’m very enthusiastic about the brilliant colours for women like fuchsia and red, and certainly tones of lilac and pewter blue that we have introduced in recent collections… for men, we focus on a palette that is more subtle with dark blues, browns, and transparent grey or solid black. We also have some very distinctive opaque finishes that we will show this weekend in Milan.”

About Tree Spectacles – Marco Barp, Co-Founder of Tree Spectacles has grown up in a family of eyewear producers in Belluno, Italy. His first collection launched at MIDO in 2012, the result of intense R&D to create niche ‘Made in Italy’ products in layers of wood ‘sandwiched’ with carbon fibre – a design innovation which was quickly praised (and patented) for its lightness, comfort, flexibility, and unique beauty. Today the company produces a wide variety of collections including luxury and design series in titanium, beta titanium and cellulose and bio acetate. 

For more information about Tree Spectacles visit www.treespectacles.com

 

Cat’s eye …of the season!

l.a.Eyeworks cat’s eye Cowgirl – a feline beauty

Exceptional angles, keen edges, pointy corners, and a classically oriented inner eye shape: all the details of the Cowgirl offer a “sharply-tailored” design for ’22, as the cat’s eye frame shape gets a fresh vote of confidence as one of the staple looks for Spring. The frame is proposed in several different luxe patterns and deep, infused colours, each one conveying a particular mood and character, an edge with elegance, or a perfectly individualistic and alluring style.

“Although inventive variations of cateye designs are deeply ingrained in the house codes of l.a.Eyeworks,” notes Brent Zerger, Director of Communications, “the expressive, angular brow of Cowgirl performs an especially fancy rope trick of projecting both power and elegance.” Above: ad campaign featuring LA-based DJ and poet, Mia Moretti in the Cowgirl in colour “Comet” – Moretti is one of the latest faces to feature in the brand’s portrait campaign of artists, actors, activists and muses, from LA.

 

Cowgirl by l.a.Eyeworks – top, in the colour “Threads” and below in red “Bottle Rocket”

With so much history that has gone before, the Cowgirl cat’s eye pays homage (with respect) to the idiosyncracies of the iconic feline shape while also playing out a dramatic statement in contemporary colours and patterns which all come together in a powerfully provocative way. To get your hands on one of these styles, which, from what we hear, are already flying off shelves, find out details at http://www.laeyeworks.com/detail/cowgirl CN

Mr Tortoise, Soho, London

Petite eyewear store with curated collection in the heart of Soho’s unique shopping hub

In a destination neighbourhood revered for exclusive fashion, food and design, Mr Tortoise is the most recent addition to the plethora of eyewear stores and eyewear chains in this area of London, and the first specialist to bring a curated artisan selection of frames that is fresh, luxurious and selected for exceptional quality. The collections presented include a substantial display of designs by the highly acclaimed handmade label Rigards by designer Ti Kwa.
Located on Brewer Street at the entrance to Farrier’s Passage, a path which leads to the chocolatier William Curley, the Billy & Bo salon and courtyard cafe Hideaway Coffee, this eyewear corner shop is owned by Greg Karipidis, a Greek expert in luxury eyewear collections, with an existing Mr Tortoise store he founded in Thessaloniki back in 2013. Above: Mr Tortoise was designed by Urban Soul Projects – www.urbansoulproject.co.uk
Interior, Mr Tortoise, Soho, London
With subtle reference to the design of the original store which has more of a NYC-inspired vibe, the London location, which is just 110 square feet in size, was designed by Urban Soul Project and features a floor to ceiling glass frame facade, classically styled walnut veneer fittings, and stone finish flooring…..details with give the feeling of a gentle tribute to traditional London architecture in the area. Eyewear stands are placed against the walls, slightly rotated so that the shelves are visible to passers-by.
Displays of fine frames are visible from the windows
Mr Tortoise Soho opened in 2019. The store currently stocks an exclusive selection of Rigards frames, as well as Ahlem, EYEVAN and Native Sons, with some of the collections being unavailable elsewhere in the city to date. The choices of design labels shows a clear predilection for fine artisan design and avantgarde style.
57A Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UL
Find out more at Mrtortoise.co.uk

Hall of Frames: new location for 2022

Longstanding eyewear fair Hall of Frames in Switzerland confirms dates for Lucerne event

Hall of Frames, the established independent eyewear fair in Switzerland, has announced confirmation of its 2022 Hall of Frames meet, to take place in Lucerne. The event, which will take place on 4th September at the Swiss Museum of Transport, is designed to bring a crowd of eyewear enthusiasts together from all over Switzerrland and further afield, while offering a perfect location for a fun weekend away.

The selected location – the Museum of Transport – is the most visited museum in Switzerland and displays a large collection of locomotives, cars, ships and aircraft. In addition to the actual museum, the Museum of Transport also houses a planetarium, the “Film Theatre” and the “Swiss Chocolate Adventure”.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our cooperation with our main partner Nikon in 2022”, said Nathanaël Wenger, owner and managing director of HOF. “Dynoptic – an association of about 100 owner-managed opticians from all over Switzerland – as well as the Basel-based architectural firm Studio Arenas will also be back as partner companies this year.” Hall of Frames welcomes independent labels and creative designers from around the world to enquire about exhibition spaces.

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rolf. /></a></div></div><p>The organisers of Hall of Frames have also confirmed an event in Stuttgart on 8/9 October 2022. After a five year break, DIie Brillenmesse will take place in the popular location Motorworld in Böblingen. Find out more at: <a href=www.hallofframes.ch

Image @Luzern Tourismus AG

Eyestylist exclusive: A neon glow in eyewear

Eyewear designers amp up the colours with high-intensity hues of orange and red – in all materials

Neon colours have returned in force. Hyper-bright colour blocked orange and red frames and zesty-tangerine accents radiate in eyewear, with a very powerful energy, luminosity and upbeat glow. The attention-grabbing tones are not for everyone, but for those who seek a colour accent that’s fresh and positive, these tones will offer pure brightness. Particularly flattering for beautiful dark and olive skin tones, we’ve also seen these neons dazzle on lighter complexions so it’s essential to try it on and explore different shapes and materials! Above: Blackfin One’s new geometric Wells panto frame – produced in titanium – comes in a fluo red which is combined with black on the frame front, www.blackfin.eu

M08 by Vue DC: a head turner in a quirky palette including this bold orange tone

The recently launched M08 at Vue DC is a metal frame with a bold thick rim. The frame has been produced in a whole palette of neon tones ranging from electric blue and fresh spring green, through to yellow and orange. The bold coloration would be effective as a bright and beautiful accent for Spring! We also spotted some bright red acetate styles in the collection! www.vuedc.com

Alium Fit Y2 – a classic tone combined with vibrant orange

The sophisticated statement shape of the Alium Y2 benefits from a range of colours including the combo which features an orange lining colour which has the effect of brightening and refreshing the classic dark tone of the stainless steel front. www.faceaface-paris.com

Monoqool’s new classic round shape Slow Train in warm orange – a 3d printed frame

The Danish brand Monoqool brings colour to its 3D printed collection where an uplifting warm orange is now a key colour in the Spring/Summer palette. Find out more at www.monoqool.com