Eyestylist

Trends: bold, dazzling statements

1st August 2020

While small-scale brands enjoy popularity among consumers who seek authenticity, quality and style, these labels are also seeing more and more opportunity to propose bold statement designs, with interesting colours and a more individual look, even in these times of global pandemic.

Certainly, growth in timeless, unisex classically oriented specs and sunglasses is expected where economic recession looms, and a desire to play things safe may become the status quo. However, smaller independent labels continue to tell us that their specialist designs – those that offer a different more unique style focus, are still very much in the running when it comes to current purchasing trends. Some have even cited lifestyle changes such as our continued use of Zoom – where the camera hones in on the upper body and face – as precipitating a trend for more adventurous specs choices and a shift toward colour and more impactful, memorable shapes.

Above: SOL SOL ITO model 048 offers a new interpretation of a 70s square eye shape in daring tones of red, hippie gold or blue – the sunglass style is eye-catching for its novel shaping but also for its beautifully curated colour palette – if wearing with a mask then coordinate colours carefully. www.solsolito.com Photo by Hans Hansen

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Model Regumbo by l.a.Eyeworks: no-ordinary round shape – the inner rim features a “floating” lens mount

For an unforgettable statement, the bold signature shaping of a floating lens mount is the eye-catching focus of the Regumbo by l.a.Eyeworks – a frame that is as extraordinary as it is aesthetically exciting. The dazzling colour choices range from the classic black to a soft delicate powder pink and absolutely adorable patterned ‘Merry Mix’. Visit www.la-eyeworks.com

Reflect Eyewear – AF17 Newquay in Coral Red – made in Italy and featuring Italian UV protective sun lenses

Elongated narrow 90s inspired sunglasses have been around for a while now and are still a staple for Gen Z. The colourful versions which offer a funkier spin (AF17 above by Reflect Eyewear) are a particularly desirable statement-making style accessory this summer with growing appeal for all ages and sexes. The Newquay comes in black and coral red – and has decent UV protective lenses at a very competitive price. Find more 90s inspired shapes in this genre for men and women at www.reflect-eyewear.com

Reviews

The Friday edit: a piece of paradise (PFB)

31st July 2020

Peoples from Barbados: sunglasses + glasses for beach, city or paradise holiday

The sea, the sun, and the sand….Peoples from Barbados is the first independent Caribbean eyewear label with a colour palette inspired by the natural elements of the beautiful island, the culture and the daily life.

Hartman’s joie de vivre and love for her homeland is translated into her designs with precision and passion, to create statement eyewear that is both stylish and different. The leading boutique optician on the island, she has taken careful note of what her customers love and translated those qualities into designs with a luxury feel and a lightweight build.

“My handmade frames embody the spirit of the island and my passion for this beautiful place. Every colour and texture, every combination and creative detail has been inspired by the beauty of Barbados…” Alicia Hartman, Peoples from Barbados

Style PFB-13 (above) has a delicately bevelled or sculpted surface, and a cat-eye inspired shape with soft edges combined with the signature stainless steel temples. The colour combinations include the stunning lilac tones inspired by a Bajan storm, and a deep red/tortoise combination that combines perfectly with gold stainless steel temples. Take a look at the whole collection at https://peoplesfrombarbados.com

Boutiques

New opening: Lunetterie Laurent, Nîmes

31st July 2020

Owner Laurent Schnitzler presents a bright, light elegant boutique in the historic centre of Nîmes (France)

Lunetterie Laurent opened on 11th May 2020, when lockdown ended in France and shops including optical boutiques were allowed to welcome customers back in store. The refined tasteful interior boasts exposed stone, mixed with a palette of minimal white, dark indigo and fittings in light, natural wood. “All our design details, colours and furniture have been coordinated by my wife and I personally,” says Laurent. “We have worked on the presentation of the interior since January. Through lockdown – with unexpected time on our hands – we were working in the store ourselves, painting, decorating and preparing for our opening.”

Interior: modern yet in keeping with the elegant exterior – the shop is in the old centre – ‘*l’ecusson’* of the French city

Located in the historic centre, with an old, stone facade decorated with hanging baskets, the shop has focused on offering handmade collections and brands are selected on the basis of quality, artisan production and exclusive provenance, with a particular focus on local French production. “We only offer very fine materials – quality acetate, titanium, buffalo horn, shells, gold and wood. We are most interested in eco-friendly, organic and sustainable materials and of course a unique and interesting style of design.” Customers tend to be around 30+ years old, with some families and children, catered to with specialist brands like Very French Gangsters.

For adults, the store stocks Dokomotto, Vuillet Vega, Ovvo optics, SALT. Optics, Kley’s eyewear, Meg eyewear, Gaston eyewear, Dick Moby, Frod’s, Lesca, Friendly Frenchy, and Maui Jim.

French artisan brands feature at the store: above, styles by MEG Eyewear

We asked Laurent how things have been particularly for the opening with new regulations after lockdown. He told us: “We have adapted. To receive our customers with care we have arranged to have one door as an entrance and one for an exit. Of course we are wearing masks and we use anti-bacterial gel widely, and after every customer visit. We have become used to washing our glasses with soap and water after each fitting. Our interior has space enough so that we can welcome 3 customers in the shop at the same time and easily observe social distancing.”

Lunetterie Laurent, 3 Rue de la Trésorerie, 30000 Nîmes, France

Reviews

Sustainable eyewear: plant-based at Rolf Spectacles

28th July 2020

Part of the Substance collection announced in May 2020, the new frame designs in this modern, functional line are defined by refined contours, slim temples and strategically placed curves. The finish of the material has a natural surface texture and colours are paired down, with gentle hues that complement skin tones. Above: model wearing GILA (in stone grey).

The styles are made from a species of the Euphorbiaceae family and as a material it is both versatile and good-looking.

“The plants are grown in tropical climates without any kind of genetic engineering, they don’t compete with food crops, and they can grow very tall, very quickly: where aspruce or a beech will only grow a few centimeters taller every year, this remarkable plant will shoot up six metres in just four months, and it comes back every year,” explains company founder Roland Wolf. “This makes the material more sustainable and kinder to the environment than ever–and the perfect foundation upon which to build a new collection of glasses…meeting the current demand for more climate-considerate products.”

ROLF’s award-winning Flexlock hinge is a feature here: printed at the same time as the frame using 3D printing technology, ROLF artisans can make each of the parts all at once keep the number of external suppliers to a minimum. In addition to the high performance of the screwless and patent-pending Flexlock hinge, glasses wearers will also benefit from the flexible, natural, and skin-friendly properties of the plant-based frame.

ROLF Spectacles are available worldwide in specialist optical boutiques. The new unisex Substance collection is coming to stores soon: find out more at www.rolf-spectacles.com

Design + Inspiration

From France: Kley’s, lunettes françaises

27th July 2020

A neo-retro artisan collection of frames by a Toulouse optician/designer

A small roster of young French artisan brands are making waves in Europe, several of which are the work of independent opticians, combining their technical knowledge and passion for their work with a love of design and handcrafted traditions of making spectacles – passed down through generations.

Kley’s lunettes françaises is a label by Simon Bousquet, a French optician from Toulouse. “I was looking for an original design for an acetate frame, and the Kley’s nose was born!” he told Eyestylist. “With this design, the optician can adjust the nose fitting and increase the comfort to fit each face. Each style is named after a member of my family…”

Above: Dany Sun by Kley’s – every frame has the distinctive adjustable acetate nose fitting

Model Pilar by Kley’s: handmade and 100% produced in France – the label exhibited at SILMO for the first time in 2018

The style of the collection is a delicate mix of a retro look with contemporary lines defined by slim, light stainless steel temples – and a fine, balanced, timeless colour palette. Elegant and characterful, the subtle yet distinctive nose fitting is combined with other artistic features: a very small delicate design at the temple in metal – described as “un clin d’oeil” or “blink of the eye”, a sign that links with the words which form the name “Kley’s” : clé (key) in French, and from English, “key” and “eyes“.

The Kley’s “family” of frames is made in the Jura (France), each design engraved with the words ‘Produite en France‘ on the temples. An authenticity card is also provided to show the provenance of the product. Today Kley’s is available in a handful of exclusive boutiques across France including L’Oeil de L’Odon (Aunay sur Odon), Colombette Optique (Toulouse), Lunetterie Laurent (Nimes) and Le Comptoir de la Lunette (Beauvais) to name a few. Look out for this label in future! To find out more visit www.kleys-eyewear.com

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