Eyestylist

A new Fleye collection of 16 styles will release at SILMO to mark two decades of design. The frame concept is inspired by a type of round layered Danish cake called “lagkage”

The Danish eyewear brand FLEYE Copenhagen marks its 20^th year with a brand new collection called ‘Decades of Design’. As a tribute to its beautiful eyewear design work through two decades, the label has created a collection that is testament to craftsmanship and artistry where fine design, fit and quality are manifested in each individual frame.

Special features include sleek inner rims, which add character to the beta-titanium frames and elegant engravings inside the temples. The acetate frames have beautiful soft colours including fade effects and a striking mottled tortoise. Above: models in the Decades of Design collection

“Together we celebrate a two-decade journey. FLEYE Copenhagen reflects a set of values at the epitome of Danish design. From the designer’s first sketch to the careful creation of each frame and the thorough service afterwards – it is the small details that makes the big difference,” – Annette Estø, Head of Marketing & Design

Fleye Copenhagen’s imaginative design collections are based on creative inspirations, and explored with passion and energy through still life photography. These qualities remain a particularly endearing starting point in this line – which is inspired by the traditional Danish ‘layered’ lagkage cake.

The many colours of this traditional and well-known ‘celebration’ cake, with textures placed on top of each other, have inspired ingenious layering effects in the frame designs, as well as delicate colour combinations and shapes. Included in the splendid mixed material selection are four refined frames in acetate in contemporary colours such as blue fade and grey with ‘swirl grey’ back, eight beta-titanium designs with a simple, timeless aesthetic and four new carbon-wood styles – a sleek and stylish denouement in a beautiful and memorable Danish optical line. For more information visit www.fleye.dk

The international optics fair takes place this month from 23rd to 26th September 2022 – the organisers promise a “return to normal” and an unforgettable experience of optics and eyewear through four days

The industry is preparing for a lively and buzzing Silmo in 2022, with high hopes of a return to pre-pandemic international attendance at the upcoming Paris event.  Exhibitors from Japan, USA and further afield as well as Europe – have booked to return to the event this year, following a period of time, due to the global pandemic, in which it has been complicated or near impossible to travel long distance. Above: the design brand FOLC Eyewear from Barcelona will return to Silmo this year. Their frames have a glamorous sculptural style which fuses with fascinating colours and bold silhouettes, www.folc-eyewear.com

Among the highlights of the Silmo ‘optical’ weekend programme will be Silmo NEXT, a showcase for creativity and innovation comprising lectures, talks and workshops exploring new technologies such as the Metaverse and smart glasses, as well as focus on ‘savoir-faire’ via the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF) an exhibit which will highlight craft and heritage in the production of eyewear and demonstrating that the present and future are inextricably linked.

The Silmo d’Or awards are always a point of interest and excitement during Silmo. This year, the 10 categories include the very competitive and highly acclaimed prizes for Best Optical Frame and Best Sunglasses ‘Eyewear Designer’ categories.

The fair organisers have also announced a new initiative called the Optical Design Contest, overseen in 2022 by designer and creative director, Emmanuel Gallina. This competition aims to stimulate creativity and innovation and encourage talent for the optical industry in the future.

Diffuser Tokyo, the luxury accessories brand from Japan, will exhibit at Silmo this year with a range of cases, cords and one-of-a-kind stands and storage pieces suited to high-level retailers, creative boutiques and eyewear connoisseurs. Check out the brand here: www.diffuser-tokyo.com

Struktur launches Director Light and Paris Light, two ‘perforated metal’ styles which play with a structural concept and bright combinations of colours. Comfort and lightness are always considered in combination with the striking design details proposed at this French independent eyewear brand. www.struktur-eyewear.fr

Götti Switzerland has just released a small taste of its titanium styles which will launch for the Paris fair. Models Duncan and Denis are classic aviators offering a bold and futuristic statement style. The frames come in shiny metallic combinations with a very original look using tones of violet and apricot, silver and copper and apple green and yellow. www.gotti.ch

About SILMO 2022: the fair (trade only) takes place at Paris Nord Villepinte from 23rd to 26th September 2022. This year the roster of independent labels showing include: Carlotta’s Village  Dabrach, Diffuser Tokyo (Joy Every Time), Fleye, FACE A FACE, FOLC Eyewear, Gotti Switzerland, Kirk and Kirk, Lafont Paris, MOREL, Nina Our,  Res/Rei, Rolf Spectacles, Sea2see and Veronika Wildgruber. The SILMO d’Or awards – much coveted prizes which recognise outstanding design and innovation – will be announced during the weekend of the event. To register, and find out more: visit www.silmoparis.com