Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 26th December 2021

UK eyewear – Cubitts has arrived in Belgravia, London

The store is designed by Child Studio, with bespoke display shelving inspired by Eileen Gray, the pioneer of the modern movement in architecture

The British independent retailer Cubitts has announced its latest opening in the heart of Belgravia, London. Located on 43 Elizabeth Street, the launch marks 12 stores nationwide, bringing Cubitts’ spectacles to the borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The announcement follows an opening outside London in Leeds, just a few weeks previously in November 2021.

Cubitts – Belgravia, London

Designed by Alexy Kos and Che Huang of Child Studio, the elegant Belgravia store draws influences from the architectural legacy of the master builder Thomas Cubitt, who created the masterplan for large areas of this part of London, and is credited for defining its architectural appearance.

Cubitts in Belgravia opened in December 2021

The interior aims to restore and highlight the original features of a classic Townhouse with refined and understated mouldings, architraves and cornices. The intimate domestic nature of the space is highlighted through a selection of iconic pieces of modernist furniture, art works from Anni Albers and others, plus a reclaimed fireplace, creating a contemporary interpretation of the classic drawing room.Bespoke display shelving in the store has been designed to reference the room dividers of Eileen Gray, the pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture.

About Cubitts – Cubitts is a modern spectacle store, founded in King’s Cross, London, in 2013 by Tom Broughton. Cubitts is driven by the belief that spectacles should be transformative objects – a confluent fusion of design, function, and style. Each frame is made by hand using materials such as Italian acetate, Japanese titanium, German hinges and Indian water buffalo horn. All styles have the option of being optical or sunglasses and each frame comes with an artist-designed cleaning cloth. https://cubitts.com

| Eyestylist 22nd December 2021

Eco commitment: tree planting at VAVA

The eyewear company plants 1000 new trees in Peneda-Gerês National Park – Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal

Trees have been planted by VAVA in recognition of 23rd November, a date which promotes the native forest and the native species and raises awareness of their importance. The eyewear label organised an event to plant 1000 indigenous trees in their homeland at Arcos de Valdevez. This particular area in Northern Portugal suffered from large wildfires in the summer of 2017 where the devastating damage of the natural setting and ecosystems left some areas barren of their natural vegetation. The region is often referred to as an area of outstanding beauty.

The VAVA team and volunteers – Peneda-Gerês National Park
The VAVA team: left: Pedro da Silva, Creative Director, VAVA
1000 trees planted by VAVA – the species included birch, Arbutus, chestnut and oak

The initiative is part of VAVA’s new Theorem project to gather and inspire others to fight against climate change and move forward to a more sustainable future.

VAVA describes their new Theorem as “a philosophy to intertwine the needs of humans and Planet Earth”. It fuses their principles and actions in the pursuit of equilibrium that they have committed to follow. The VAVA Theorem incorporates enhancement of people, protection of the environment, respect of ethical values and promotion of culture. One of its purposes is to convey vital information in a clear and organised fashion, so that the reader can understand the development and concepts behind the evolution of VAVA’s sustainability project. It also represents an effort to bring greater transparency to VAVA’s endeavours in terms of the environmental, societal and political challenges faced on a global scale. Find out more about VAVA Eyewear at https://vavaeyewear.com

| Eyestylist 21st December 2021

Winter eyewear: SALT. Optics

Colours of nature, elevated comfort and quality in browline glasses, cateyes and bold 1950s-look squares 

A relaxed style, personal yet elegant and on-trend – SALT. Optics highlights eyewear for the season – with a series of colours and combinations informed by nature in both tone and texture. Vintage-inspired shapes are key silhouettes – the brand has focused on browline frames, that combine materials, square shapes and simple, chic cateyes and semi-cateyes which are beautiful, laid-back and easy to wear. The colour palette includes variations of brushed copper, honey gold, black sand and redwood, hues that are lifted from the natural world…from forests and deserts, beaches and shores. Above: model Knox by SALT. Optics: pictured in redwood antique gold – the metal material has a brushed finish evoking natural textures of materials like stone or bark

Relaxed chic: Hillier by SALT. Optics – in toasted toffee

Model Hillier is already one of the most popular of the cat eye shapes in the SALT. Optics collection. The frame is available in tones of taupe, toasted toffee, black or antique rose.

A modern take on a classic: Madison by SALT. Optics in copper brushed honey gold

Model Madison is inspired by mid-century eyewear, with a strong brow line at the top of the design and thin metal rim creating contrast in the lower section of the front.

All the featured styles can be worn as optical glasses or sunglasses, which come with polarised CR39 sun lenses. The collection is made in Japan and proposes high-class materials such as titanium and cellulose acetate. Find out more at https://saltoptics.com 

| Eyestylist 19th December 2021

10th anniversary marked by RIGARDS

A 10-year retrospective show, recognising the brand’s 10th anniversary, opens on 19th December 2021 at the Yiji Gallery in Chongqing, China – the brand is also launching a special online charity auction

Hong Kong based artisan label Rigards celebrate their first 10 years with a special retrospective exhibition. In the spirit of gratitude, Rigards have also announced the ‘Warm Regards’ Online Charity Auction with proceeds going to Captivating International Foundation Hong Kong’s ‘One More Year’ Scholarship Program.

RIGARDS TEN – 10 Year Retrospective at the Yiji Gallery

The event offers 10 one-off pairs of specially crafted Rigards frames, each a pinnacle of the label’s creative vision and a work of singular importance in their oeuvre. The online bidding is open until 22nd December 2021.

RIGARDS Ten – 10 year retrospective at the Yiji Gallery

100% of the proceeds from the sales will directly benefit Captivating International Foundation Hong Kong’s ‘One More Year’ Scholarship Program, aimed at putting girls from underprivileged families through school.

RIGARDS TEN: ten year retrospective at the Yiji Gallery
Rigards have launched an auction online featuring ten unique frames

Founded in 2006 by Andrew and Julie Colquhoun, Captivating has since been working with grassroots charities to help disadvantaged, impoverished children reach out for a better tomorrow. Find out more at www.rigards.com / https://captivating.org/about-us/our-story/

| Eyestylist 16th December 2021

Lifestyle optician’s: The Oculist, UK

A UK hotspot for original, fine frames

Owner/director Gerry Sondh is all for embracing unique design. His carefully curated collection of frames includes top-notch brands from around the world like Ørgreen Optics, Jacques Marie Mage and theo, and new arrival in the store from Berlin, Kuboraum. “We’re known for what we do,” he says, and that goes for the frames, the eyecare, the advice available, and the special events in-store. These are  just re-starting with a MYKITA + Kuboraum showcase for December.

Since launching his shop in 2007, Sondh has found fans across the Peterborough area and further afield who know they can rely on the selection of frames, and in the current climate, buy multiple pairs. “Our work is a bit different right now. There’s less browsing, but many more bookings and bookings ahead. More people who are working from home in this area are looking for eyewear to suit several needs. They like that we are here, with a top selection of frames, and that they don’t need to travel into London to find something new.”

Ørgreen Optics: model Hemisphere – titanium frames with some colour are popular

Asked about how he started and with which collections, Sondh talks about having lots of great “family-like” connections with favourite, long-term brands. They include a strong relationship with Ørgreen whose collection is hugely popular at the store. “I’ve been working with Ørgreen Optics for 15 years. When we opened in 2007, we sold a load of the titanium Pussycats and Vildebeests and that was just a warm-up to what has been a really excellent relationship. Over the years, we have just continued to do really, really well with the collection, the electro-colours and combinations, and the consistency of small details like small hinges and screws suits us perfectly. I appreciate this type of close relationship with our brands and the travel to HQ to spend time with the team.”

Interior: frames on display by Maui Jim, theo and Oliver Peoples – the eyewear is easy to view and try on
A showcase was held at The Oculist in early December to present new styles – including the new collection from KUBORAUM and MYKITA

Located in a small arcade of independent shops, just off Peterborough town centre and near the historic cathedral, the Oculist team – Gerry, Rob Gilbert and Hannah Castle – promise over 1000 frames and sunglasses to choose from at any one time in the store, and take a remarkable and keen interest in new and high-quality designs. “Our analysis on returns is taken very seriously, our collections really do get put under scrutiny,” says Sondh, “and we take detailed records of any problems. By doing that we know we are selling very high-level eyewear to our customers and that satisfaction will always remain high.”

Independent brands stocked at The Oculist include FACE A FACE, Kuboraum, LINDBERG, Maui Jim, Mykita, Ørgreen Optics, Oliver Peoples, and THEO.

Westgate Arcade, Peterborough, PE1 1PY – www.theoculist.com

Eyestylist visited The Oculist in November 2021 in person. If you have a unique store and would like to get in touch to tell us more, contact us at [email protected] – The feature above was written by Clodagh Norton for Eyestylist.com – all rights reserved.