Eyestylist

  | Eyestylist 11th October 2021

Into autumn: statement-making at Essedue

Contemporary Italian eyewear design, manufactured the ‘old-fashioned’ way

The new styles at Essedue, the Italian label, evoke a mood of the season, with large, bold sunglass shapes that provide full coverage and trendy, dramatic design. Above: model wears matt black sunglasses (Gladiator) with dark lenses – hiding the eyes for an air of intrigue

Wrangler by Essedue Sunglasses

For those who love sculptural, angular styles right now, model Wrangler has the signature feel of an Essedue sunglass…a powerful cat eye shape with wide rim has the indented decorative feature on either side to add extra  spice to the feel of the shape.

Commander by Essedue: a new multi-sided design from the Italian label

Multi-sided shapes are a huge trend for the next months and the larger the better in the sunglasses category! The Commander by Essedue is available in three different colorways of black, tortoise and Havana, with a contrasting temple tone and coordinating smokey lens.

About Essedue: the brand is based in Italy and all its frames are produced in its own factory in Irpinia near Naples using the traditional techniques and artisan expertise of Italian craftsmen and women. Essedue was created out of a family experience of three generations in the eyewear business of which Stefano Scauzillo has been the heir since 2012. Born in an optician’s shop, he continued his studies and apprenticeship in the eyewear sector until he fulfilled his dream of making eyewear in his own unique factory where acetate frames are a particular specialism. For more details about Essedue’s Made in Italy collection visit www.esseduesunglasses.com This feature was written by Clodagh Norton for Eyestylist.com – all rights reserved.

  | Eyestylist 7th October 2021

The best street style looks at Paris Fashion Week SS22

Street style and sunnies at #PFW – with a personal edge

‘Wear what you want’ seems to be the key theme for eyewear on the street. In NYC, London, Milan and through the last week in Paris, the styles of eyewear and sunglasses out in the city pointed to a love of bold vintage influences, including designs inspired by particular decades such as the 70s and the 00s, as well as a charming freedom of expression to wear what you want when you want – without too many rules to consider, apart from the need to occasionally match a mask with a frame. Massive frames, mini styles, and a mix of square, round, aviator inspired or futuristic designs were seen through the week. Colours were brave or subdued, with colorful tints (particularly orange) that reveal the eyes beneath.  The usual variety of interesting black shades in all dimensions – one of the archetypal looks of the Parisian street style scene – emerged once again as one of the coolest ways to finish a look in autumn mode although white tones were also very chic on the street. By Clodagh Norton – Photography by Gennaro D’Elia exclusively for Eyestylist.com Above: oversized sunglasses make the outfit

His and hers: black and white retro-style sunglasses – Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Thick rimmed black glasses Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Futuristic mask Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Small metal sunglasses worn by fashion influencer @alina_frendiy Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Transparent glasses Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Rapper Tyga wears black 90s styled black sunglasses
Coordinated: pastel sunnies with a plain black mask @genndel for Eyestylist.com
Narrow tortoiseshell sunglasses Photography credit: @genndel for Eyestylist.com

For previous features on street style click on the link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2019/10/paris-fashion-week-ss20/  https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/02/milan-fashion-week-february-2020

  | Eyestylist 5th October 2021

Titanium eyewear: Blackfin One style Simos

Statement titanium design with a lightweight build

Large round rims are set to be a staple shape this season. The innovation that goes into creating some of these designs and their unique constructions distinguishes the fine ones from the mass produced, with colorations and colour pairings that are wonderfully creative.

For their new styles in titanium sheet, the Italian company Blackfin explores how the technical characteristics of a frame can merge with an artistic aesthetic that is bold yet refined incorporating trendy shapes and details with a distinctive style. The Blackfin One line features frames where an interplay between the top rim’s bold 2.5 mm thick sheet and 2.00 mm rims forge a 3-D structure with modern proportions on the fronts. The look is accentuated by contrasting bright and pastel colours with matte or polished finishes for a sophisticated edge.

Model Simos by Blackfin One: a trendy large round frame style for Autumn/Winter

The large round rims of style Simos express a contemporary spirit and a clear architectural influence. Sections are cut from the lenses where the colour on the front changes, creating a special look that emphasizes the two-tone concept which looks bold and beautiful as it frames the face.

About Blackfin: Blackfin is an independent eyewear company with a special focus on titanium and advanced design. The frames are made following 53 production steps, the expression of industrial precision merged with artisan excellence. Find out more at  www.blackfin.eu

  | Eyestylist 4th October 2021

Silmo 2021: an Eyestylist Exclusive

EYESTYLIST : “A memorable, intimate showcase – with plenty of fresh products and innovative design brands” Written by Clodagh Norton

Last week’s Silmo 2021 welcomed exhibitors and visitors to their traditional venue in Paris with a particular atmosphere after the COVID hiatus and a period which until this point had remained difficult through most of 2021, particularly for business colleagues to come together. The show offered an intimate, meaningful experience for many people who we met, and a long awaited chance to engage with visitors and designers and view their innovations and new collections. The fair saw a good representation of brands from different countries including specialist collections from Italy (highlights included Delirious and L.G.R), Spain (Nina Mur and Sea2see), Austria (Rolf Spectacles), UK (Covrt Project) and Germany (Mykita and Leinz). France was well represented. Above: a new collection with elegant thick uniquely styled acetate shapes and exciting colour launched by VUE DC, the French artisan eyewear company, a longstanding exhibitor at the SILMO event

Timeless style: Lewis by SALT. Optics (USA) in matt smoke grey

A mix of bold and striking design trends alongside classic timeless collections with a love for minimalist details were the two overriding key directions throughout the fair. The colour palette was in sync with these two directions, either strong and surprising with new and innovative combination tones and exciting neons, or on the other hand based on a nature-inspired palette with many intriguing finishes and patterns. Inspiration was extensive and ingenious, and designers we spoke to often cited nature, natural phenomena such as a sunset or a sunrise, and art and architecture as their most important influences in the last months.

FACE A FACE Witty1: a collection bursting with stunning neon tones

Creative acetate collections were particularly colourful and explored new combinations and graduated colorations, while the strong presence of minimalist metal and 3d printed proposals showed that this is a time where there is room for all extremes – big and small proportions, very fine or very thick structures, cool and warm colour and smooth and rough details.

Handmade in Normandy – “The Sunrise” by Struktur – references to the sun and playful details inspired by the sun rising or setting were noted by Eyestylist at the SILMO fair

Sustainable design was talked about with frequency and many existing brands and new sustainable ones are taking  some kind of steps to be more eco-conscious in how they work or produce products. Designers are paying attention to processes, materials and production to move away from the fast fashion culture and into an era where there is greater respect for lasting quality and frames created as design pieces “to be kept for life”.

From the UK: Covrt Project – model AS3: a strong, innovative, high quality approach to sunglass design

Now that an international fair has been possible in Europe in 2021, the industry looks forward to further exchanges and in person events in the months to come. SILMO 2022 dates are confirmed for 23rd to 26th September 2022 (Paris Nord Villepinte). To find out more about SILMO, visit www.silmoparis.com

Eyestylist.com will report on more of the new innovations and trends in detail in the weeks and months ahead. This article was written by Eyestylist.com. Please seek permission if you wish to reprint our articles and viewpoints.

  | Eyestylist 1st October 2021

Eyewear by Olga

‘Eyewear By Olga’ is a luxury eyewear retailer, or – as the owner likes to call it – an ‘EYE PAD’ founded in 2011 by optician, designer and fashion enthusiast Olga Trentin. The ‘PAD’ is located in the centre of Mississauga, Canada in the neighbourhood of Port Credit. The interior of the store itself is a feast for the eyes; packed with colour, exploding with textiles and featuring artisanal furnishings throughout. The shop first appeared on Eyestylist in October 2011.

We would love it if you could give us a short synopsis of the story / journey behind ‘Eyewear by Olga’…It’s such a funny story actually; I went to visit a friend in an optical store that I frequently shopped at, but my friend was busy serving a client. So, I picked up a frame that caught my eye and handed it to her client swiftly leaving the store afterwards so that I wouldn’t be intruding. Later, my friend told me that her client had purchased the frame I picked for her – and so, I was offered a job at her company as a frame stylist. I loved this job so much that I eventually became an optician and later on, a manager. I was able to learn a lot about the business and realized how much more I had to offer the optical industry. That’s when I decided to go on my own by opening my very own ‘EYE PAD’.

I took a pen and paper and started sketching the ‘PAD’; ribbons on the ceilings was the first idea that came to mind – ribbons are known to fill a space with lots of cheer – I felt that I had to add them to the design. I didn’t want a typical retail look, but something different and yet, timeless. I also didn’t want a cold and clinical office feel, so the ribbons also added that soft element to the design. I then mainly picked warm colours but added a pop of colour with our back wall and chairs. I felt that the chairs in particular had to be unique and so – after doing some research – we found the perfect choice: ‘The Eye Chair’ by Jackie Choi – it was originally a college project of hers that was presented all over Britain from BBC to Harrods and so it became one of my favourite elements to the ‘PAD’. The design feature was a low backrest to support runback for ergonomic reasons but as well as that it makes a strong visual statement; it looks like a hollow eye when viewed head on, they are quite the conversation starter. Our display cases feature a light coloured onyx to bring a certain warmth and a natural feel we wanted to implement, this is also why you won’t find any bright lights in our ‘PAD’ – we want our clients to have a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

The EYE PAD is a unique experience for eyewear enthusiasts

What have been the biggest struggles you and your store have faced through COVID-19? The element of the unknown regarding COVID-19 really frightened us; we closed our store for about three months in order to keep everyone safe. We quickly realized that our industry really was essential because clients were still in need of our services and so we had to find a way to make it work for everyone while being as safe as possible. It was a little bit of a struggle at first, but we managed to make it work; we would order contact lenses online and have them directly delivered to our clients, we would pre-order eyeglass lenses online and have clients do a door drop off with their frames to prevent any contact. When we finally started to open our doors for appointments, we took one client at a time, each customer had a mandatory COVID-19 questionnaire to be filled out, and temperatures were taken at the door. We also disinfected each frame that was tried/touched and disinfected all surfaces between appointments, floors were washed daily as well. Then of course masks were mandatory for everyone and our staff were double masked with shields worn on top too. I think most people understood why we did all of this and felt safe coming in to see us. We all had to work  together and we continue to do so to make this strange and scary environment feel as safe as possible for us all.

What are your favourite frames from your current collection and why are they your favourite? Oh wow, so many to choose from! If I had to choose one, I’d say my favourite frame in my current collection is the ‘Dita – Revoir’. It was originally released as a sunglass and is now offered as an ophthalmic. It is such an elegant bridgeless cat-eye and as the ‘Dita’ website describes it “spans the brow to resemble wings extended in flight”. I love the space between the wing point and the lens as it gives it some edge while keeping its elegance overall. (more…)