Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 4th March 2022

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

| Eyestylist 28th February 2022

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.

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: www.hallofframes.ch

Image @Luzern Tourismus AG

| Eyestylist 27th February 2022

Silhouette: new edition of an icon

The bold Futura frame reimagined

2022 sees the return of the iconic Futura by Silhouette, reimagined since its first launch in 1973. The new form of the sunglasses consists of a polyamide shield, specially developed for the company with a particular shape, titanium temples and a bold circular “dot” design in the centre of the frame. Produced in a limited edition of 1964 pairs (a symbolic number as it represents the year in which the Austrian company was founded) – the frame has the lightweight finesse of a classic Silhouette frame. The dot design on the front is created by means of special milling and coloring. Above: the new Futura Dot frame is a statement design with a retro colour palette

Futura Dot: the new interpretation of the classic frame retains a futuristic feel

The Futura Dot special edition is available in four colours of black and white, olive grove, nostalgic brown and Atlantic blue. To see more about the Futura frame in the past, visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/04/futura-trendsetting-sunglasses-by-silhouette/ www.silhouette.com

| Eyestylist 23rd February 2022

Independent eyewear: Mykita – perfecting the combination

The independent eyewear brand presents a chic capsule in stainless steel and colourful acetate

Classic eyewear shapes in minimal combinations: the three new round and panto shapes – Dayo, Cantara and Siwa – express the signature design aesthetic of Mykita, with combinations of sleek stainless steel and vivid acetate fitted in the inner rim, a fine design detail with a striking modern expression. Above: model wears model Dayo in the new campaign by Max von Gumppenberg – the style is available in four different colorways  – pictured above in champagne gold and pine honey

Model Cantara by independent eyewear brand Mykita in indigo with deep ocean

The Cantara style has a masculine build, and minimal elegance in tones of blue (above), black on black or dark brown/Santiago gradient. For technical features, the patented spiral hinge and adjustable qualities of the frame ensure wearer comfort and a light and pleasant overall feel. The launch of the new capsule coincides with the release of the new Mykita campaign which considers the delicate forces of nature and its extraordinary restorative power in imagery where raw nature moods mix with close and intimate human portraits. Find out more at www.mykita.com

| Eyestylist 21st February 2022

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