Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 26th January 2021

Joyful colours: Kirk & Kirk Centena collection

New hot-pink and purple tones!

Pink has always been prized in the Kirk & Kirk collections, a highlight for a window as well as a talking point to wear. Their unique acrylic material lends itself to strong, statement colours, characterised by a light-reflective translucency with a tendency to brighten skin tones. For Spring 2021, the UK label continues to put out small and frequent new releases in what Jason Kirk describes as “a new mode of working most successfully in the current climate”, and two new colours light up the ranges  – at the candy end of the colour spektrum.

An homage to the singer, colour ‘Prince’ offers a beautiful burst of fresh purple while the new Cadillac tone offers a hot even more punchy variety of pink than we’ve seen before at Kirk & Kirk, judged as just the colour to provide a lift or boost in the current climate – and particularly so in a statement shape. Above: Photographer Kathi Harman wears model Cecil in colour ‘Prince’

Esme at Kirk & Kirk: the new hot pink tone Cadillac
Miriam at Kirk & Kirk  in the new ‘Prince’ tone

This season, Kirk & Kirk have also issued a new matte “ice” tone – another variation that works well in the acrylic material – creating a soft ‘glowy’ effect that is striking and unique.

About acrylic eyewear at Kirk & Kirk: the British company is the only eyewear label using acrylic to produce their eyewear collections in France. The benefits of the material are practical – it’s comfortable and lightweight to wear – and aesthetic – it can be produced in beautiful bright colours which will enliven and ‘accessorise’ different outfits or looks. The use of 10mm acrylic is also a benefit for those needing the more challenging and “thicker” lens prescriptions. You won’t need to compromise on style as these lenses work perfectly in these statement designs!

To find out more visit www.kirkandkirk.com – to read more about the brand on Eyestylist, visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/09/kaleidoscope-of-colours-kirk-kirk/

| Eyestylist 21st January 2021

Tarian Atelier Tournelles, Paris – France

Ceramics and eyewear by Jeremy Tarian in newly opened showroom in the Marais

“My new space plays with perspectives and revels in free associations,” says Jeremy Tarian, eyewear designer and passionate ceramicist who has created a multidisciplinary space to show both artistic collections. The Atelier opened at the beginning of 2021.

Located in the Marais quarter of Paris, this elegant historic building – l’Hotel de Melun – was built in the 17th century, and redesigned in 1780, and can be found on the famous historic Rue des Tournelles near Place des Vosges.

The showroom is designed both as a personal studio space and showroom to invite guests and buyers to view the collections. The interior features neutral colours, minimal furniture, open wall displays and glass-lined display cabinets with an ambiance that reflects the designer’s love for colour, design and raw materials.

Interior: displays of ceramics and award-winning eyewear at the new showroom

About the designer: Jeremy Tarian studied Finance, and then trained at New York’s Parsons School of Design, returning to his passion for all things creative for the development of his career.  After gaining experience at the German eyewear company, ic! berlin he launched his own eyewear brand, Tarian, in 2011 followed by a ceramics line in 2018. Today he dedicates his time to both creative disciplines. 50 Rue des Tournelles, 75003 Paris, France www.tarian.paris / www.tarianatelier.paris

| Eyestylist 20th January 2021

Vera Wang models own collection

Fashion designer Vera Wang steps in front of the camera in her first eyewear shoot

The optical and sunglasses collection for 2021, produced for Vera Wang by Kenmark Eyewear (USA), are worn by the designer who has a fashion connoisseur’s love for eyewear. Like her new season fashion collections, the glasses and sunglasses infuse elements of the designer’s ready-to-wear and bridal designs. From feminine to masculine, with a modern and flattering edge, and a typically wide choice of dimensions, the styles include oversized and quite petite designs with a glamorous, detail-oriented style.

Colours and materials are often mixed by lamination or with a specialised layering technique to create a palette that plays on grounded neutrals and dark floral touches. Crystal embellishments – a signature feature in previous lines, are still key and with their continued popularity are used in more prominent ways. Several styles in both optical and sun feature crystals front and centre. They are built into the shape of the frame and do not shy away from making a bold and beautiful couture statement. Above: Vera Wang wears Nija sunglasses – Wang released the images via her Instagram page at the start of January 2021.

Vera Wang wears V577: a full metal cat eye

“Eyewear is one of my favorite fashion/beauty accessories! Like a new lipstick or eye shadow, a special pair of glasses can express your own sense of style, create a new persona and most of all, protect your vision….eyewear is fun, creative, easy, personal, practical!” Vera Wang

Vera Wang wears Lilah, a model with rich Swarovski crystal trim on the brow line

The new images of Vera Wang feature frames from across the luxe, core alternative fit and VWX series.

About the brand – Vera Wang has created a unique aspirational world that alludes to sensuality and youthful sophistication. Exquisite details, intricate draping, and a nonchalant sense of style characterize the Vera Wang aesthetic. A native New Yorker, Wang understands women who embrace fashion. By age 23, she was the youngest ever Vogue fashion editor and stylist, where she remained for 16 years before moving to Ralph Lauren as a design director. In 1990, she opened her first flagship store on Manhattan’s famed Madison Avenue, introducing fashion to the bridal industry with revolutionary designs and refined detailing. Since then she has expanded her collections to include ready-to-wear, footwear, eyewear, fragrance, flowers, fine china and crystal, silver and gifts, bedding, fine papers, and her first book, Vera Wang On Weddings. To find out more visit www.verawang.com / www.kenmarkeyewear.com

| Eyestylist 17th January 2021

Hungry Eyes, Stuttgart

Thomas Hommerberg has opened a new optical boutique in the German city, with furniture sourced from old night clubs and modern design elements including a floating counter

After 14 years as store manager, master optician Thomas Hommerberg has achieved his dream in the hardest of climates. His new store in Stuttgart specialises in independent eyewear brands and design labels.

“The concept is to bring to Stuttgart real independent eyewear in a unique shop which is far removed from the mass market”, he told Eyestylist. “This is definitely missing here and this is the concept of my store. Individuality, quality, mixed with great independent styles in a modular shop system for individual people. We created a modular system with our architects and urban shop system, with some neon lights, palms and a touch of palm springs style. We are not conservative, so it was clear that we needed a name with more style than “Optik…” like everybody else. The name was found by my UX-Designer and it comes from the movie “Dirty Dancing”. For us it is an artificial word with a positive vibe. We have lots of customers coming to the store and singing softly “Hungry Eyes”!” – Above: Hungry Eyes – photo by Julia Ochs

Interior featuring a floating counter in white: Hungry Eyes, Stuttgart (Photography: Julia Ochs www.julia-ochs.com)

Despite opening in November 2020 during the pandemic, without any possibility for a launch party, the new collections are well received in the neighbourhood which is in the heart of the city of Stuttgart. Brands include Blackfin, Gigi Studios, Coblens, FOLC, ROLF Spectacles, TVR and Nirvan Javan.  “We are trying to give our customers a very good shopping experience even in this hard times,” Thomas said. “Beside the frame brands we have some accessories from Frame Chain and from some local dealers, to support our neighbours.”

“We love good design, but we always keep the most important thing in focus: our products and our customers” Thomas Hommerberg, Stuttgart

Interior: Hungry Eyes – design details include suspended lamps, an illuminated mirror and parquet flooring – Photography by Julia Ochs

The interior works with a modular system, with grey tones, natural surfaces and green plants. The furniture was sourced from old nightclubs in Munich (Thomas describes them as “Freddy Mercury” era pieces from the 1980s-90s) creating an interesting eye-catching contrast to the stone wall of glasses. The palms and cacti have been added to bring the atmosphere to life. “With the neon lights we have an exciting mixture of palm springs, 80s and very modern elements,” he tells us. “And the floating counter makes the store interior complete.”

Rosenbergstrasse 76, Stuttgart, Germany

www.hungry-eyes.de

| Eyestylist 14th January 2021

The lure of acetate: RES/REI Essences

New models in fine Mazzucchelli acetate
Almond, Calendula, Blackberry, Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. Each of the models in the Essences Collection by RES/REI is inspired by nature’s bounty: uplifting natural fragrances, details, textures and rich variation in the colours of familiar plants, fruits and herbs we associate with goodness and wellbeing. Particular to the styles is a special design: a diamond-shaped core inside the temples: decorative and feminine, the frames are reimagined to create a look that is contemporary and refined. Above: the round model Eucalyptus in the Essences collection by RES/REI – the colour pictured is grey/pink/shiny rose gold – a combination that highlights fine double lines in the upper section.

Blackberry in the Essences collection by RES/REI – in dark havana, purple and red

Each model shows a delicate balance of transparencies and harmonious colours, with two or three different hues blending in one design. Deep berry tones of blackberry, purple, deep red and havana through to very light crystal tones of grey/white, mixed and matched, to reinvent each shape in each exclusive palette.

Rosemary in the Essences collection by RES/REI – chic modern colour variations

RES/REI is one of Northern Italy’s prized artisan labels. Their commitment to and passion for handmade spectacle making and exquisite, creative details has been at the core of their work since they first started in 2011. Read more about the frames on Eyestylist: https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/10/res-rei-the-essences-collection/ See more collections at www.resrei.com