Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 13th November 2020

Nina Mûr: an ode to optimism

An experiment comes to fruition: The Good Quarantine collection 2020, produced in a virtual collaboration with opticians around the world

Sustainable principles, a shared human experience and a creative vision: Nina Mûr’s Good Quarantine collection has launched this season. Through a process of virtual consultation and an exchange of ideas during the isolation of lockdown in April and May, the concepts for each model grew out of shared experiences and design discussion, fueling creativity as an “escape” in difficult and uncertain times. Above: model Bux in blue steel / hammered gold. The imagery in the new campaign was inspired by haunting images of David Lynch

Ansostyle in the TGQ Limited Edition Collection

“We collected the cinematographic and surrealism of the moment that we lived during lockdown, while we created this very special collection together….” Lorena Serrano, co-founder and creative director

Participating opticians were eventually invited to submit their original designs to be voted on by a panel of professionals, among which Eyestylist was delighted to take part. The resulting collection includes 5 models – Alohe, Ansostyle, Ottificio, Bux and R&B, each one made to order in the label’s high-quality birch wood, a material that is flexible, lightweight and perfectly sustainable, with origins in a reforested cultivation in Finland.

Model R&B in the TGQ Limited Edition collection

For more details about the TGQ project read Eyestylist’s first feature about the collection written in April 2020 during lockdown: https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/04/from-lockdown-nina-mur-launch-collaborative-design-project/ For details about the frames which are made-to-order, visit www.ninamur.com

| Eyestylist 12th November 2020

Animal magic: a classic print from Lafont Paris

All focus on the animal print

The extraordinary versatility of a frame as an accessory, the possibility of wearing chic animal prints or exciting shapes on the face, unusual colour combinations and fashionable designs that are as graceful and decorative as they are bold in making a statement, this is a world we continue to study and admire, across trends and seasonal expressions – in the world of fine eyewear.

For animal-inspired prints, with an air of distinguished quality and Parisian know-how, with the special attention to detail and colour typical of a fine fabric, Lafont Paris remains a remarkable leader – bringing its history and heritage into the style, and reproducing it for the modern wearer. Often playfully incorporated as a trim, as in the recent Gauloise model (100), the leopard prints are always particularly spectacular, with a level of definition and colour precision in the material that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Gauloise by Lafont Paris – in chic black with leopard trim – the frame is also available in pink, beige, and tortoiseshell

Lafont Paris is an historic leader in French eyewear design, and all their frames are produced in the renowned spectacle-making region of the Jura. The boutiques in Paris – in Boulevard Raspail, Rue Vignon, and Rue de Sévigné represent the ongoing life and creative vitality of the Lafont collections alongside its rich archive, fully displayed at the original Rue Vignon shop, where the evolution of their exotic and chic prints can still be studied and admired today. Find out more about Lafont on Eyestylist at https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/10/lafont-paris/ Visit the Lafont Paris website at www.lafont.com

 

| Eyestylist 11th November 2020

Eyeglass styles 2020: Paradigm

In homage to the scholarly, distinguished appeal of eyeglass styles of the 1950s, new model 20-22 by Paradigm, part of a grouping of frames from this independent label, offers eye-catching eyewear chic in interesting, contemporary colours. Above: model wears 20-22 by Paradigm. The frame is one of four new optical styles and four new sunglasses from the brand – designed to complement a wide range of faces

Paradigm 20-22, a winter launch at Kenmark Eyewear – pictured in “umber”

The smart shape of 20-22 uses a popular metal/acetate combination construction successfully incorporating vintage lines and modern colours of sky, grey, and umber.

Paradigm sunglasses 20-61

Paradigm’s focus on comfort, wearability, flattering shapes and predominantly light translucent colours is further enhanced in this series by delightful new detailing and something unexpected, particularly in the sunglass releases where playful tricks with acetate inserts and strong shapes are beautifully articulated. Our current favourite? This reimagined aviator (20-61) in the sunglasses series (it is also offered as an optical), a style which boasts a classically shaped lens enhanced by  unusual acetate edging for a special style-driven statement. Find out more about Paradigm at https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/09/paradigm-emerging-trends-vintage-inspo/ www.kenmarkeyewear.com

| Eyestylist 8th November 2020

The new home of Erker’s, St. Louis, Missouri

A new Erker’s flagship store has opened in St. Louis, Missouri in 2020, the latest and most luxurious in a long line of optical stores run by the Erker family through their extraordinary 141 year history.

“The Saint Louis Galleria is the premier shopping destination in Saint Louis where the top stores are located,”  Jack Erker III told Eyestylist. “The customers are from many demographics and come from all over to shop with us. Our focus is the hard-to-get-quality boutique brands including two of our own, Erker’s 1879 and NW77th.”

The Erker’s 1879 collection is one of the highlights in the shop

Alongside an eclectic range of collections by Barton Perreira, Dita, Cazal, Tom Ford and Jacques Marie Mage, the Erker’s 1879 collection represents an exclusive reference to the local legacy of a company that has served its community through generations. “Since the brand has deep roots, it resonates very well within the local market,” says Erker. “Many customers travel all over and see our brand in other markets as well and this lends to deep credibility within our local market. The focus of the store is primarily our brands, and are supplemented with other niches of brands that go well with our own.”

Bright lights and chic cabinet displays at the new Erker’s store (Saint Louis Galleria)

The decoration and design of the interior is classical with a luxurious orientation in line with the high-end feel of the St Louis Galleria, with clear, eye-catching branding.

“Our brand is well known in our market and our customers still yearn for a brick and mortar store to give the service to the customers that they are used to receiving from us,” says Jack Erker when we asked about the key benefits of the store, even in the current climate. “The traffic in the mall allows us to have a larger reach to continue to grow the brand within the region. The local community is thrilled for us to be growing and it adds momentum internally within our family (employees).”

About Erker’s: Describing itself as the first optical laboratory west of the Mississippi River, Erker’s was founded in 1879 by A.P. Erker and brother, August. Today the company is led by the great-grandson Jack Jr. with his two sons, Jack III and Tony. Erker’s is one of the oldest eyewear establishments in the US with the rare claim that it is still owned by members of founding family. The family’s own extensive eyewear collection, Erker’s 1879 can be viewed directly at  www.erkers1879.com. For additional information visit www.studiooptyx.com

| Eyestylist 6th November 2020

Ørgreen Optics: Imaginary Lines

New models launched: Ørgreen Optics’ ultra thin eyewear in advanced titanium

The Danish brand’s new Imaginary Lines collection pays tribute to the Ørgreen ethos of innovation combined with material quality, design precision and colour nuances. The seven new models announced are testimony to a label that continues to push boundaries with creative drive and a committed design attitude resulting in contemporary proposals in unique and refreshing colours. Above & below: Balancing colour and design in the Imaginary Lines collection: Model Hemishere by Ørgreen

Model Hemishere by Ørgreen in mat Miami Ocean green

The classically inspired shapes include model Hemisphere, a perfectly round frame, inspired by the imaginary lines that define the globe. A delicate but impactful frame,  the design embodies the lightness of state-of-the-art titanium and the elegance of the brand’s colour world. The colorways range from a shiny rose gold to mat miami ocean green / mat white gold – a light, pure and delicate combination for natural skin tones.

Model Tropics by Ørgreen, in mat lavender with mat rose gold

Not to be mistaken with tropical islands, the Tropics frame is named after the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. A fashion forward frame – distinct for its characteristic geometrical shape, this style is offered in a range of six colours, including mat deep space blue / mat rose gold, and mat brown / shiny gold.

Model Border by Ørgreen in antique blue

A highlight for men, the Border frame is also the result of a meticulous design – with emphasis on an ultra slim and cool looking double bridge. A wide frame (available in size 56-16-137) and made to fit larger faces, it comes in a range of six colours, including trendy antique finishes of blue, gun or teal.

Ørgreen Optics is an innovator in the field of eyewear with collections which include acetate and precious metals – titanium and beta-titanium. Find out more about the new Imaginary Lines capsule collection highlighting combinations of 100% pure titanium and beta-titanium at https://orgreenoptics.com/