Eyestylist

Sunglasses insights: Katie Caplener’s eyewear is fresh, striking and beautifully presented

From an all female team of makers in Austin, Texas, the jewellery brand VADA launches a new line of sunglasses – TOKIO, TEXAS Collection II – produced in fine materials and responsibly sourced, conjuring up some imaginative references – from ancient art to modern dance, neoclassicism to New Wave. The evocative sunglass collection – highlighted in Eyestylist’s sunglasses trend bulletin this month – www.eyestylist.com/eyestylist-trend-bulletin-issue-3/ – and among our favourite finds so far in 2021 – is part of the first wave of stylish Japanese made frames from the brand which is best known for its fine intricate handmade jewelry. Above: the new and awesome campaign from VADA, TOKIO TEXAS : KAUBŌI TOKIO CICADA – VADA frames are designed in Austin, Texas and handmade in Japan – Campaign photography by Kaiman Kazazian

The new models include the dramatic oversized Cicada Garnet, a frame name that references the insect native to Texas and Japan, and created in reverence to Elsa Peretti’s personal eyewear from which the model “takes some of its shapely cues.” The styles typically feature 8mm organic cellulose acetate, 18K gold plated metal details, and a monogram rivet for a VADA custom chain retainer attachment.

About the brand: Founded in 2013, VADA specialises in fine jewelry as well as highly curated vintage and antique collections. VADA Eyes is the latest chapter in the brand’s story, launched in Spring 2020 with imaginatively styled frames in cellulose acetate, and featuring hand-wrought metal adornments and custom rivets to hold branded decorative gold chains. The frames are currently available to purchase in the brand’s online boutique and at specialist optical retailers including the highly esteemed Black Optical (www.blackoptical.com) in Dallas, USA. To find out more about VADA, visit www.vadajewelry.com

Viveur’s S/S collection expands with new and stylish everyday frames, made in Italy

The independent brand Viveur Eyewear, known for its Italian made metal glasses and sunglasses has extended its collection with new Mazzucchelli acetate sunglasses – characterised by a style-driven, vintage inspired elegance. Viveur’s commitment to well designed product and refined manufacture comes through in these designs, which are ideal for everyday wear, while delivering on quality at a well-judged accessible price. Above: Montecarlo by Viveur Eyewear – featured this month in the Eyestylist TREND feature – https://www.eyestylist.com/eyestylist-trend-bulletin-issue-3/

The Montecarlo style by Viveur is one of several chic styles in this line – fitted with category 2 anti-glare sun lenses. Frames which offer the same lens and frame tint represent a sophisticated trend in sunwear which is inspired by the past – often playing with transparency and crystal colorations. The Montecarlo is offered in three colours including beige with the matching lens tone (pictured), black with black lenses and dark havana with a contrasting light green lens. The style also features a retro-inspired metal temple core, a detail which is visible in the colour variation above.

One of our recommended styles for Spring/Summer, the Nizza has a fresh, youthful appeal in colours that are timeless and easy to wear. Choose from black with a blue graduated lens tone, dark havana with brown lenses and a very chic rose with pink flash lens.

About Viveur Eyewear: the brand was founded in Pavia, Italy in 2015 by Carlo Opice, CEO. Sourcing high quality frame materials and lenses with protective qualities as well as special tones and graduated effects, Viveur has achieved success at retail and online with its unpretentious quality design and reflection of a style that is dedicated to the pleasures of life! Viveur first appeared on Eyestylist in 2017 – to see more about the brand on Eyestylist visit www.eyestylist.com/2019/03/trends-metal-rim-tinted-lens/

Visit Viveur Eyewear and shop online at  https://en.viveureyewear.com

Observations in colour: graduated colour effects add a tiny touch of magic / blue & green tints and shades are varied and sophisticated for 2021 / high saturation colours and very light crystals are dramatic in combination

As the colour palette diversifies dramatically and nuances of tones are widely explored in independent eyewear with undeniable sophistication and precision, so too are we seeing frames with new intensities of colour, unexpected complementary shades and contrasts in transparencies that are modern and flattering, designed to enhance the natural tones of the skin. Graduated, ‘ombre’ or gradient effects in high-quality acetates such as those by Mazzucchelli have long been a feature of high level independent collections but today there has been a greater rethinking in how colours can be combined to produce a statement or individual style and design that looks beautiful and unique when worn on the face. Above: minimal design, gentle graduation in one of the most trendy colours of the SS21 season: the Milla by Gotti Switzerland in an organic forest green which fades to a luminous crystal – www.gotti.ch

The Bocca Pixel4 has several variations featuring gradient colour, deeper at the top with an aqueous and fluid finish in the lower section. This frame is produced by the French company FACE A FACE and comes from an iconic line called BOCCA inspired by the arts and – in the case of Pixel4 – the shape is based on the graphic signature style of the artist M. C. Escher. www.faceaface-paris.com

From the SS21 Lafont Paris collection, model Hybride is an example of an acetate frame created through a collage of different translucent tones and patterns creating a dramatic and eye-catching finish. The fade effect has a chic and glamorous look that subtly references a vintage-like quality typical of the most feminine luxury frame styles of the 1960s and early 70s. To see more frames by Lafont Paris visit www.lafont.com