Eyestylist

LFW 09/19: street style, independent eyewear trends

15th September 2019

Amidst Extinction Rebellion environmental protests, demonstrations against leather in fashion, LFW photographers and the so-called style influencers, the crowds heading to the shows or lingering outside provide a fashion preview for autumn/winter 19 street style in the British capital. For eyewear, the variety was a talking point with a hugely eclectic mix of frames and sunglasses, from poorly styled to beautifully unique – with some very obvious over worn brand-emblazoned sunnies as well as a penchant for vintage, and mega trends of 2019 – mini Matrix shapes, the cateye (strong also in NYC) or the oversized visor and mask.

This weekend, some of the coolest looks in the city at the venues – both for glasses and sunglasses – showed there is growing confidence in understated, simple or pared back design – especially where there is an architectural detail or retro 80s/90s influenced silhouette. Above: Fashion artist @tayisiya_ph in all black, paired with a statement wide brim hat and structured timeless rectangular specs.

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

Our review of some of the eyewear spotted on London’s streets and at LFW will be published this coming week – follow us on Instagram @eyestylistmagazine. Top image: London Fashion Week photography by Cesare Riccardi, exclusively for Eyestylist.com. CN

Design & Inspiration

Crystal eyewear: three of the best by SALT. Optics

14th September 2019

To a well trained eye, crystal tones (in eyewear) can vary dramatically. The most refined offer a delicate elegance due to the quality of the cellulose acetate, and the precision in tumbling and hand finishing to create the desired rich lustre or shine.

Consistent in their choice of strong and flexible Japanese cellulose acetate, SALT. Optics, the Californian eyewear brand works with a wide yet subtle palette of colours and superb clear crystal and smokey tints. The brand plays with the trending tinted crystal tones which are flattering to the complexion – often using colorations and a mix of tones inspired by the natural world, the sea, the earth and the sky. Above: model Sophia by SALT. Optics, in Smokey Grey with CR39 Denim Gradient polarized lenses. The finely crafted metal core is visible inside the clear acetate, a design touch that revisits the crafted finish of vintage eyewear.

Gerry by SALT. Optics: clear frames continue to be very popular

This season, the models in the C2-19 collection include a range of finely crafted ophthalmic frames with natural tones of toasted toffee and brushed honey gold through to the sophisticated translucent smoke grey of model Gerry, pictured above.

Andy by SALT. Optics – in smoke grey / tea – G-15 polarized lenses

One of the classic tones of sunglass model Andy, combines a delicate smoke grey and a bolder coloration in tea on the temples. A unisex panto design, this statement frame highlights the contrast of the metal hard ware – with plaques and pins, designed to last – lending a classic hallmark of quality to each design.

About SALT. Optics – SALT. is a premium eyewear brand from coastal California that is committed to quality frame construction and timeless design, inspired by effortless beauty. Combining high-grade materials with third generation Japanese craftsmanship, SALT. makes timeless eyewear designed for anyone who appreciates natural simplicity and lasting design. www.saltoptics.com CN

Blackfin-BAYOU-col.1061-FRONT - Eyestylist

Reviews

Titanium eyewear: Blackfin One and Bayou

12th September 2019

New main line titanium styles by Blackfin are hot off the press for the Autumn season, with a careful focus on innovative technical details and uncompromising quality construction – features that have long been at the heart of this tech-loving, innovation-driven family firm. The five shapes releasing include a panto-inspired frame called Bayou, a classically round Blackfin design with ultra-flex titanium bridge and temples in beta titanium – a material selected for its extra strength and flexibility when combined with titanium.

The colour palette for Bayou ranges from the more masculine – dark blue paired with a bright red (below), black or midnight blue – to the more feminine shades of blush pink or midnight blue combined with the brightest tone of magenta.

Blackfin Bayou: a brighter lining creates a fresh colour mix

All the new styles in the range are fitted with tilting nose pads and Blackfin’s Swordfish temple tips. Find them at Silmo Paris this month and visit the website for all the latest releases as they appear at www.blackfin.eu. CN

For more on Blackfin visit: https://www.eyestylist.com/2019/07/blackfin-bocelli-musical-philanthropy/

Design & Inspiration

Recycled eyewear: Regrind by EOE Eyewear

11th September 2019

The founders of the Northern Swedish company EOE have created the first edition of eyewear made from recycled broken and discarded plastic eyewear. The collection and campaign launch this month in Paris.

Commitment to research. Investment in new technology for recycling. And admirable perseverance to set up a workable system for recycling frames in Sweden in a collaboration with the Nordic company Synsam and Vision for All. The founders of EOE Erik and Emilia Lindmark have worked for over three years on the recycling project to create a frame material with performance properties comparable to new acetate and an aesthetic finish and choice of colorations suitable for the creation of high-quality trend-focused products.

Launching the concept with the Regrind edition of three sunglasses, attention has been placed on creating a chic look in the coloration using predominantly black frames for the “regrinding” process. Tiny smatterings of minute coloured frame pieces are just visible, and create a textured effect on the surface, the look of which is wholly dependent on the types of frames recycled, the predominant colours of the frame pieces and the quality of the acetate of the old frames. Above: EOE’s new video illustrates the concept developed by EOE for turning old unwanted eyewear into a recycled material for new chic eyewear.

EOE Regrind – Photography by Farago & Farago

Regrind debuts as a fashion collection in a stunning campaign by fashion photographers Peter Farago and Ingela Klemetz Farago (www.faragofarago.com) which highlights the idiosyncrasies of the material in a beautiful wild and natural Swedish landscape.

EOE recycled acetate material is produced by EOE together with engineers, chemists and physicists. The frames are shattered into small pieces and the metal parts are then filtered out. The plastic pieces then undergo a regrinding process to create new blocks of raw material. 98% of the old eyewear is recyclable. EOE uses recycled steel from Sweden to produce the metal parts of the frames. In August the company was recognised by Encouragement for Action – Stockholm Fashion District in the “closing the loop” category, part of an award scheme to raise awareness and bring attention to important ideas in sustainability, digitization and fashion tech.

Find out more at www.eoe-regrind.com or visit EOE at Silmo 2019 (the Paris trade fair) on stand 5A 119. / www.eoe-eyewear.com – Written By Clodagh Norton

Reviews

The James Dean inspired frame: TVR ® Arnel®

10th September 2019

Bespoke Limited Edition by master craftsman, Sawada-Yaemon – Sabae Japan

A new special edition “James Dean” inspired collection from Japan – bound for Europe this month – gives expression to the heritage and craftsmanship of Sabae eyewear makers dedicated to traditional ‘tried and tested’ production techniques, and expert craft work passed down through families.

The “JD” spectacles by TVR®, focusing on the classic rounded “horn-rim” style made famous by James Dean, are created in a strong Zylonite material (4mm thick) with metal core identified by a very fine handcrafted embellishment of Japanese engraving inspired by The Great Wave of Kanagawa, the woodblock print by ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. Above: TVR® Arnel®, European Edition – Kanagawa Metal Core Design

TVR® *Arnel®,* European Edition, made in Japan

Craftsman Sawada-Yaemon whose family has a multi-generational reputation in eyewear production has been put in charge of the complete production of the limited edition. The Yaemon family whose ancestors date back to the Edo period, is the first to perfect the iconic TVR® Arnel® shape using traditional measuring techniques.

Meticulously recreated by hand, the unmistakable vintage design of the JD shape is enhanced with SPM (Sun Platinum Metal) spear rivets, a keyhole bridge, 7-barrel hinges and miter cutting by hand. Every detail, from the tumbling and polishing to each bend that’s perfected by hand represents the revival of TVR® Arnel® based on the original blueprint from 1948.

The European edition is released in seven colours with emphasis on delicate crystal tones – a Japanese specialty – and sophisticated neutrals including Amazing Grey Black, Black Dark Brown, Classic Black, Demi Brown Amber, Grey Gradient, Olive Clear and Yellow Crystal. The European Edition is designed as a special edition to recognise the support of TVR customers outside Japan since the label was first created in 2014. For more information visit: www.tvropt.com CN

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