Antwerp is a creative force for emerging young designers. The city is home to avant-garde theo eyewear, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The lure of Antwerp and its stylish impact convinced German born Vincent Thürstein that The Royal Academy Fashion Department was where he wanted to study. Curiosity about a tribe in the Indian Ocean living apart from outer civilisation, sparked Vincent’s concept for his catwalk collection – Mokushiroku (above image) which in Japanese means apocalypse. In a reimagined post-apocalyptic civilisation, people will be just as prone to need eyewear as we are. Vincent knocked on theo’s door, Serge Bracké responded, and a dynamic collaboration was formed.
Vincent used inspirations from Japanese fisherman, Korean female divers, Rodchenko sculptures, Marcel Breuer and other sources to create his binoculars that bear a similarity to fishermen’s diving goggles. “I wanted to combine natural materials such as horn with metal components for the constructional elements,” said Vincent, “And Serge and I worked on the oxidation processes of the frame surface in the same way as I experimented with fabrics in my collection.”
When Vincent’s fashion silhouettes appeared on the catwalk, the smart details on the outfits and the softly muted but pleasing colour palette gave a reassuring glow. Theo x Vincent eyewear added the finishing touch to Mokushiroku. For more trailblazing eyewear designs visit www.theo.be JG
Crafting Plastics: part of ‘Food’ at V&A
The Crafting Plastics Studio – award-winning innovators in materials and design – are a highlight of the V&A’s latest exhibition looking at food and farming and sustainable practices for the future.
Described as a multi-sensory exhibition, there are opportunities to participate by tasting or touching items on display, and overall the exhibition features more than 70 contemporary projects, new commissions and creative collaborations by artists and designers who are working with chefs, farmers, scientists and local communities.
Part of the discussion falls on creative projects using food products in innovative ways. A central feature of this section is the extensive work of Crafting Plastics who have created a type of compostable bioplastic, named Nuatan, from corn, starch, sugar and cooking oil. Colours are achieved using natural pigments such as turmeric or coffee.
Founded in 2016 by product designer Vlasta Kubušová and production designer Miroslav Král, Crafting Plastics has achieved consistent recognition for the material from the design world owing to its extraordinary versatility (it can be injection moulded, 3d printed or blow-formed) and eco-friendly properties, which include not being harmful to fish. Their first collection (‘Collection 1’) of biocompatible biodegradable sunglasses was exhibited at Salone del Mobile Milan in 2016 and since then they have won several awards which include Forbes 30 under 30 in 2018. The most recent project, Collection 4, features a series of handmade lighting objects. For more information about Crafting Plastics visit www.craftingplastics.com
FOOD: Bigger than the Plate runs until Sunday, 20th October 2019 at the V&A, South Kensington, London. www.vam.ac.uk
Luxury eyewear: Deryn by Vera Wang
“Eyewear is the biggest accessory; it can change your whole mood”, declares fashion designer Vera Wang. The new optical styles from the celebrated designer enhance both mood and style mode. The latest releases are feminine and glamorous, featuring contemporary silhouettes in sophisticated colourations. Whether a graceful butterfly shape; a round semi-rimless in metal and acetate; or the beautiful square acetate Deryn (above), the selections are stunning. A waterfall Swarovski crystal pattern decoratively highlights the corners at the front of Deryn. Vera Wang’s eyewear, dresses and bridal wear all reflect her modern, pared-down approach to fashion and lifestyle. See more Vera Wang eyewear designs at www.kenmarkeyewear.com JG
Yi Wen Lim: Soft Power Mono-glass
The Mono-glass is part of RCA fashion graduate Yi Wen Lim’s SOFT POWER project (RCA 2019). SOFT POWER celebrates women at work and represents a new image of power and femininity.
RCA Fashion (Womenswear) graduate Yi Wen Lim has produced a stunning, wearable Mono-glass as part of a finals project entitled SOFT POWER. The jewellery collection was designed in collaboration with Yi Wen Lim’s close jeweller friend Agatha (Instagram: @raccoonandbabiesofficial), and explores re-appropriating jewellery in the formal workplace. Above: Model Mercedes von Thun-Hohenstein wears Yi Wen Lim’s design
Highlights in the collection include the merging of power pearls with everyday work accessories, stationery and tech wearables – these pieces include a biro pen cap ear cuff, Airpods pearl necklace, ID Badge necklace and the Mono-glass with Hair-clip.
“The Mono-glass is inspired by work glasses that women wear, sometimes as a means to establish their intelligence and competence,” says the designer. “It is also inspired by tech accessories like the Google Glass, which perhaps can one day be integrated into more ‘aestheticised’ designs like the SOFT POWER Mono-glass,” she explains.
Yi Wen Lim’s friend/muse Mercedes von Thun-Hohenstien (www.mercedesvonthun.com) wore the monocle design at the RCA finals presentation in London in June – and immediately caught our eye. “I found her through Instagram @mvthun21,” said Yi Wen Lim. “She is a mature model, and has been very generous with her time and support for me. She has modelled for my presentations and for video and photoshoots. We have become close over the past few months, and we are now great friends.” For more information about Yi Wen Lim’s work visit her page on Instagram – @__wenlim. Other RCA posts on Eyestylist: https://www.eyestylist.com/2016/12/rca-x-100-optical/ CN
Fashion fresh & fun: Children’s eyewear
Fresh colours, fun shapes and fashion preferences enhance the immense variety available in children’s eyewear. With so many inspiring choices, youngsters can select frame styles that adapt to their individual personality. From toddlers to teens, children’s eyewear has a unique path with creative frames by international companies who take youngster’s style savvy knowledge into consideration. Danish label LINDBERG features innovative design for kids with the air titanium rim collection. With expertly crafted lightweight shapes, colours and safety elements with high density kid appeal – the air titanium rim designs are available in a variety of colours, including Jackie in two-tone green (above image). www.lindberg.com
The Next Generation is celebrated by Götti Switzerland with children’s designs using futuristic 3D printing. The stunning results are personalised frames that are light, flexible, stylish and sleek. Two new beautiful colours are welcome additions to the collection – Flamingo and Pool (above). The designs are constructed in Götti’s Swiss factory, with no screws or soldered joints, yet the Dimension Next frames are robust and will successfully withstand youthful antics and adventures. Contented children – and mothers – report that their children enjoy the uncluttered styling, comfort and stability of the Next Generation Dimension designs. www.gotti.ch
Cultural richness and artistic excitement inspire the 2019 Kids and Teens collection by JF Rey. A street-art spirit embraces the geometric and graphic shapes, available in acetate and metal. Youngsters from the age of 4-16 can find frame shapes energised with beautiful colours in the wide variety of designs available in the JF Rey Kids and Teens selections. Kids will love to wear the compact round shape Slide (above) delicately scaled for small faces with exclusive hues and innovative styling. Discover more spirited designs for children at www.jfrey.fr
Quality, durability, fashion and fine styling – you’ll find them all in the Lafont Paris children’s collection. The latest designs (including Entrechat for girls above image) combine vintage concepts with technical expertise, and stunning colour combinations. Entrechat reveals a subtle and graceful feline influence, with a three-dimensional perspective. Shown in blue with camel, Entrechat is also available in Red, Black and Tortoise. Explore more Lafont Paris designs for infants to teenagers at www.lafont.com JG