Uncategorized

Agari by Folc eyewear

29th July 2016

Spotted in Begur Optica (Costa Brava, Spain), a specialist boutique offering an interesting mix of quality independent labels, Folc Eyewear is a young label from Barcelona focused on acetate sunglasses – designed in Spain, and made in northern Italy. Model Agari is one of the label’s first styles, and part of the collection launched in April this year. Features include quality Zeiss lenses, Italian acetate and a clean, classic shape that has a small twist in the form of a a coloured block at the temple. Generally, this unpretentious and stylish collection experiments with shapes, colours and textures in a subtle way, combining modern elements with a classic and versatile look, for holidays or every day. Agari is available in several easy-to-wear colours including a matt or shiny exterior finish and pale pink or yellow detail at the temple hinge – priced at 205 euros. For more information on Folc eyewear, visit www.folc-eyewear.com CN

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Design + Inspiration

Die Brillenmesse Stuttgart

28th July 2016

Porsche and Mercedes-Benz draw auto fans from around the world to the historical city of Stuttgart. Acclaimed botanical gardens and a rich cultural legacy are among numerous reasons to visit Germany’s sixth largest city. For eyewear enthusiasts, a visit to Die Brillenmesse – held at prestigious Motor World and chock-a-block with fabulous vintage autos – is postively another reason to be in Stuttgart on October 15th and 16th.

Die Brillenmesse enables visitors to view beautiful eyewear from international, independent labels. Award winning designer Adrian Marwitz will present his refined collection – crafted in titanium – that unites high tech implements with traditional spectacle production. The Loving Strangers collection includes streamlined designs for men and women. In the above photo – he wears Lover 9 in loving grey, and his companion wears Lover 7 in loving Bordeaux. www.adrianmarwitz.com

Danish state-of-the art craftsmanship is expressed in Orgreen’s innovative designs. Among the frames being presented in Stuttgart is Lupita – a striking shape in matt aqua titanium with sandblasted gold sides. Unique and chic! www.orgreenoptics.com

Italian artisan detailing is found in all Blackfin designs, and San Diego for men displays a distinctive personality with its large, angular lenses and bold double bridge. Super sophisticated in a sleek grey/black combo. www.blackfin.eu

The Denali frame by You Mawo derives its inspiration from the seven mountain summits. The North American Mountain was originally called Mount McKinley. However, last year, the name of the mountain was changed as a tribute to the original settlers – and now proudly called – Denali. The ultra light You Mawo frame that pays homage to this natural mountainous wonder is composed with polyamide and weighs only fourteen grams. You Mawo is an innovative German brand and one to watch. www.youmawo.com For more details on the Stuttgart show with the exciting roster of independent labels, visit www.diebrillenmesse.de JG

Creative spirits

John Robshaw, NYC

27th June 2016

New York based textile designer John Robshaw on travel, textile design and a sunglasses collaboration with Mondelliani

“I am travelling regularly in India, Asia and now Africa and South America,” explains John Robshaw, the textile designer who has linked up in collaboration with Mondelliani in Rome, the independent label co-founded by Federico Mondello. “I met Federico through a mutual friend who had given me a pair of Mondelliani sunglasses. We started to think about a collection that experimented with my textile designs. A meeting in Rome, one in NYC, and we had come up with these incredible sunglass designs. It was interesting and fun. I hadn’t imagined there were so many things to know about eyewear, it is a fascinating world.”

“When you look at my textiles it is as if you have been on a world tour alongside me.” John Robshaw

Caption — Robshaw x Mondelliani style – photographed in Rajastan

Available at www.johnrobshaw.com, sunglass design has been a new departure for the John Robshaw Textiles emporium which specialises in bedding, wardrobe, tabletop, curtains and travel accessories. The frames have unique decorations and all the benefits of the quality artisan finish of a Mondelliani design. The frame shape Sanganer, one of the first styles created in the collection is inspired by an old Indian frame, recovered by John during one of his trips in Asia.

The John Robshaw brand continues to expand through new collaborative projects, although Robshaw’s passion for the world keeps him on the road as much as possible. “By working abroad I became a minor character in the lives of the people I work with, and get inspired by what I see and do there. I go to their weddings, celebrate their festivals, get sick with them. I develop relationships with the people who are teaching me.” For more information about John Robshaw and Mondelliani, Rome, visit www.mondelliani.it / www.johnrobshaw.com/fashion/sunglasses.html CN

Reviews

Limited Edition Pearson by Blackfin

22nd June 2016

Produced for the exclusive Yacht Club in Capri, Italy, the dapper limited Edition Pearson (BF730) by Blackfin delivers all the attributes of a hand-finished technical titanium frame in an exciting new colour way: an exterior in opaque charcoal grey and interior in ‘Serendipity’ blue, the official colour of the anchor in the Yacht Club’s logo.

Created ahead of the Rolex Capri International Regatta last month in a run of just 50 styles, each of the styles was customised with the wording, “Yacht Club Capri 2016”. Blackfin frames are exclusively produced in Agordino, Belluno, Italy, in line with a specific ethos referred to as “neomadeinitaly” – a term that is designed to underline authenticity, Italian provenance and commitment to its local team and environment. www.blackfin.eu CN

Arts + travel

LU.PA Studio at Villa Da Schio, Costozza

8th June 2016

The elegant gardens of the Villa Da Schio and its much loved flower show – “Oltre il giardino” – provided the perfect surroundings for designer Lucia Pasin’s collection of Flower Glasses and Sunglasses the weekend before last near Vicenza. LU.PA studio welcomed friends and opticians to the event which takes place in May each year and features flower stalls and exhibitors specialising in antiques, artisan gifts and handmade jewellery.

The original designs by LU.PA Studio, inspired by Pasin’s brightly coloured floral paintings, include statement cateye shapes and bold round frames – for men and women.

LU.PA Frames displayed at Villa Da Schio

LU.PA studio – from Belluno – was created in 2012 and the first collection, Antheia, was launched in February 2015, featuring six individualistic models in 24 colours/patterns. All the frames are designed and produced from start to finish in northern Italy. The 18th century Villa da Schio is a historic Venetian-style villa – home to the Trento and da Schio families for over 300 years – with splendid gardens and sculptures by Orazio Marinali. For more information visit www.lupastudio.it / www.villadaschio.it CN