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Small batch acetate frames – made in Northern Italy

As acetate becomes increasingly scrutinised for quality and longevity in carefully crafted design, independent labels that treasure the most elegant materials and champion craftsmanship, with genuine focus, remain at the forefront of the eyewear world.

Article One – a small independent label based in Michigan (USA) – produces its collection in Italy, selecting its acetates from the best suppliers and focusing on organic tones that feel natural and timeless offering beautiful, hand-finished effects. Founder Wes Stoody told Eyestylist:  “As a brand, we stick with timeless silhouettes, designing independently of mainstream trends. One way we are able to leave our mark and show off the handcrafted nature of our eyewear is through intricate and unique beveling…we want our frames to feel as if they are sculpted by artisans, which is accomplished by exposing the smaller details of the frame.” Above: from the current collection, the Joslin offers a ‘forever’ shape in subtle crystal tones

“Just like we care about the connections we make with our factories and retail partners, we believe our customers care just as much. We attempt to spotlight the hands that craft our frames because we want our customers to feel a sense of authentic connection with us as the Italian craftspeople producing their frames….” Wes Stoody, Article One

The newest styles in the collection, of which there are nine, offer lots of variety for different looks, with a common thread in terms of careful details and tasteful minimal colour choices which are predominantly natural, from tortoise, blue grey and cola to whiskey rose.

Shooting the frames on real people, the recent campaign illustrates the new designs and their natural colours and shapes. “The campaign is centered on the sustainable and regerneative farm known as Solarpunk Farms” explains Stoody. “This communal living space founded by Spencer Scott and Nick

Schwanz is an attempt to showcase how communities can live in harmony with nature in a sustainable and egalitarian world. The shoot resulted in more than beautiful and vulnerable photography, but also a story and lesson that inspired the entire Article One team.”

Portrait photography by Allie Leepson and Jen McClary at Solar Punk Farms – For more information about the Article One Eyewear Collection visit https://articleoneeyewear.com – 

ARTICLE ONE features on the front cover of the EYESTYLIST bulletin about fine acetate frames. Read the bulletin: https://www.eyestylist.com/trend-bulletin-issue-6/

Pushing for progress in sustainable eyewear

A new line of frames by the B-Corp eyewear label, Sea2see represents a step forward for their design work with recycled ocean plastic, using the material to reflect a variety of colours and special effects which evoke the natural tones of the oceans. Details such as gradient colours and wave patterns characterise the frames which are inspired by the beauty of the five oceans of the world. The material is produced from marine waste collected via the Sea2see Foundation by communities in West Africa. The waste is then up-cycled into a reusable raw material in the form of pellets called UPSEA™ PLAST. Cradle to Cradle™ Gold Certified, the material at Sea2see represents a unique development in eyewear, combining a quality finish with durability, lightness, ease of wear as well as a stylish aesthetic and wide choice of colours and finishes. Above: Sea2see has launched a major campaign for the 5 Oceans collection, with photography by Weston Fuller. The collection was presented to mark the 5th anniversary of the ‘seastainable’ brand

In 2022, Sea2see has achieved B-Corp status as well as committing to a carbon negative future. Its focus on openness and transparency in every step of the making and production of its eyewear collections as well as commitment to a circular economy has set a new precedent for the eyewear industry to encourage production of frames via genuinely sustainable means.

Since 2019, Sea2see has developed their marine waste collection program in West Africa where they have both an environmental and social impact. Coastal communities benefit from a new source of income and the coastal environment is cleaned up. Read more about Sea2see’s “sustainable” eyewear at www.sea2see.org

The sunglasses label and the British fashion brand Ted Baker have launched a bold and wearable limited edition

The iconic British sunglasses label has lent a few of its most prestigious shapes to a fun youthful limited edition by Ted Baker especially for the summer season. The collection aims to “tell a story of innovation, self-expression and individuality”. Featuring two women’s designs and two more classically male shapes, the edition conjures up the style of Jackie Onassis, Michael Caine and Audrey Hepburn in a new modern take on truly classic eyewear. The timeless silhouettes have been given an injection of colour and personality with signature Ted Baker prints lining the inside of each style, celebrating the heartland of the brand and matching back to clothing across its SS22 collections. Above: classic and cool sunglass design, with shapes for men and women

‘As the originators of fashion eyewear, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses are intrinsically rooted in British culture and so the opportunity to partner with another likeminded British heritage brand makes perfect sense. For this collection we extensively explored Ted Baker’s design archives and have developed a technique of marrying print to frame which is something we’ve never tried before.’ – Claire Goldsmith, Fourth Generation Owner, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses

The edition also includes the 1960s oval sunglasses, a perfectly on-trend shape for the current season, with soft bevelling and a subtle graduated lens. To see more styles visit: www.tedbaker.com