Retro re-interpreted with modern trends brings stylistic freshness to six frames from JF Rey that achieved iconic status during the 1980’s. For the revisit, the Marseille based company is inspired by the Scottish Highlands, with a unique mix of materials, colours and contrasts. Country tweeds, Houndstooth patterns, and Prince of Wales checks (first popularised by The Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII), are artfully worked into acetate frames contemporary and sophisticated. Featured above is Wilson – smart checks with an on-trend double-bridge. Additional discoveries from JF Rey 1985 at www.frey.fr JG
K&K expressive video: Centennial celebration
Achieving a centennial goal is an extraordinary accomplishment, and family-owned British brand Kirk & Kirk are now joyously celebrating – and commemorating – this iconic milestone. Jason Kirk grew up in the family business, and now he and his wife Karen are poised to continue the family tradition of exceptional creativity in style; superlative materials; exclusive colourations; and encompassing a multi-sensory approach to eyewear. (Top image: Esme in Jade from the K&K Centena Collection
To herald the occasion, Kirk & Kirk have released a lovely video that spotlights the Centena Collection – innovative eyewear crafted from superbly lightweight 10mm acrylic, with streamlined styling, and stunning colourations.
KIRK AND KIRK from EYESTYLIST on Vimeo.
In the video, the male model wears Bert in Corn Yellow, and Dennis in Royal Blue. The female model features Esme in Corn Yellow, and Dena in Tiger Orange. The energetic colours with luminous clarity enhance the smooth, sleek frame silhouettes. Visit www.kirkandkirk.com for more captivating styles. JG
Trends: metal rim + tinted lens
60s fever, and gold and silver retro metal rims, are challenging the elongated It-Girl cat’s eye as one of the most popular sunglass looks as we head into Spring, and we’ve seen it on the streets at London Fashion Week, and again in Milan. The lens tints are fun and colourful or very delicate, so they don’t completely hide the eyes, while the rims are extremely narrow, closely representing the styling of the past. Above: Em . The Lipstick Fever, wearing metal rim sunglasses at London Fashion Week in February. https://thelipstickfever.com/ Photography by G. D’Elia – exclusively for Eyestylist.com
Austrian label Andy Wolf has made the metal rims a key feature of the 2019 collections, experimenting with very small shapes as well as classic panto shapes, such as model Amira (above). This design comes with a variety of gentle lens tints including soft blue, pale pink and gold. Available at Matches Fashion – https://www.matchesfashion.com/womens/designers/andy-wolf -, or for further information visit www.andywolf.com
Or choose a unique style from one of the smaller labels. Viveur’s elegantly fashioned metal designs are made in Italy and have a chic finesse. The metal material is 100% hypoallergenic and very lightweight. The collections for Spring/Summer include round “panto” designs and slightly modified angular shapes such as Greg above – a shape with a flattened top that’s on the rise. Available to purchase online at www.viveursunglasses.com CN
You Mawo: Limited Edition Malina
Inspired by the Inuits and their distinctive iconic protective snow goggles, Malina sunglasses by You Mawo celebrate bold design created with 3D printing technology. Original Inuit frames featured a narrow oval lens shape, reducing the amount of light exposure to prevent snow blindness. Traditionally made of natural materials such as driftwood or bone, the frame would be carved to fit the face with slits that also acted to improve visual acuity according to the width.
Based on the classic interpretation, this new release by You Mawo, named Malina after the Inuit solar deity, explores the creative potential of 3D printed frames with a light yet sturdy, bold rim and gently curved silhouette. A modern fashion statement is achieved with the addition of the gold mirrored lenses, a stark contrast with the eye-catching black structure in Polyamide. Launched last weekend at Mido for the new season, the frame, produced in an edition of just 50 pieces, goes on sale at £600 (689 euros) in specialist retailers including Specs Berlin: find details at https://specs-berlin.de/en/female/you-mawo-malina
Award-winning German brand YOU MAWO is an innovator in custom tailored 3D printed eyewear. Founded in 2016, their frames are made exclusively in Germany with laser sintering technology. The frames in YOU MAWO’s mainline collections are made to measure via an iPad scan of the wearer’s individual face topography. This scan forms the foundation for the production of the frame to optimise comfort and fit. The frames are also customised with the individual’s name printed on the inside. Find further details at: https://www.youmawo.com/en/ CN
On the surface: aged, natural + hand-finished
Buffalo horn. Fabric. Rubber. Acetate. The eye is drawn to the individual qualities of these materials in contemporary eyewear as young innovators highlight the form and structure of the product with special tactile details and deep nuances in coloration, some of these qualities, just visible with the naked eye.
In the Icons Line at Hapter, the rubberised surface featured has been developed to offer an exclusive tactile aesthetic and feel, with a retro inspiration and a slightly “aged” elegance. Italian founder Eric Balzan has invested years’ of research and development into collections that, for 2019, are further enhanced with a newly patented 8-GON Hinge. The brand will exhibit at Mido in the Design Lab (Pav 4 Stand S11) www.hapter.it Above: RBBR002 – the Icons Line – HAPTER
Rigards has attracted much attention in the last 12 months with their avantgarde collection, and in horn, they highlight the natural qualities of the material, the asymmetrical colorations and the beautiful striated patterns and effects where the surface is hand polished or left in its more natural state. www.rigards.com
Delirious Eyewear, the Milan label, produces buffalo horn frames with a distinct, light touch and artistic aesthetic: designed in Italy, the frames are made from natural Indian water buffalo horn. The process begins by milling two small boards of the same material; one for the front, and the other, for the temples. All the parts are ‘tumbled’, to smooth the little parts and surfaces in a process that can take up to a week. Finally, the artisans put the design together, polishing the surface with pads that highlight the details of the material and the brilliant surface. www.deliriouseyewear.com
In a similar vein – studying the possibilities in surface finishes worked by hand, TAVAT Tactile includes models that have been hand scratched and designs worked on with a pin-stripe laser treatment – mimicking the lines of the iconic Italian “Riva” boat. The frames are made in Italy and designed to offer the utmost comfort on the face. www.tavateyewear.com CN
Find these and other innovators at Mido – the Milan trade fair – from 23-25 February 2019.