As the first fairs of the 2019 Spring season approach, eyewear companies will reveal the trends of the months ahead, fresh innovations in design, and expressive new colour codes to explore and inspire. 100% Optical, the UK’s optical fair – which takes place at ExCel exhibition centre will set the scene for the Spring optical calendar from 12th to 14th January 2019 and promises a selection of independent eyewear designers as part of the line-up which also includes innovative lenses and technology. Above: From Denmark, LINDBERG is one of the leading independent luxury companies exhibiting at 100% this year. Their collections include fine materials such as titanium, wood and buffalo horn. www.LINDBERG.com
British label Kirk & Kirk are staunch supporters of the UK fair and return with their colourful Centena collection in January, designed by Jason Kirk in celebration of his family’s 100 years in optics. This line is unique in its 10mm acrylic material which is flattering, bold yet – at the same time – surprisingly light to wear. The sculptural look of the frames is part and parcel of their unique appeal. Check out www.kirkandkirk.com
Ørgreen Optics has an exceptionally strong and varied selection of eyewear collections to show for 100%: as well as the new acetates in the latest Minimal Vintage Collection, they have just announced a 3rd Quantum collection, which features their exceptional spherical hinge design and showcases their design skills in combining Polyamide and titanium. Visit www.orgreenoptics.com
Part of The Eyewear Design Group, Woow Eyewear will exhibit with other exceptional collections in this portfolio of brands which also includes FACE A FACE. Woow is colourful, exuberant in character and always injects humour and fun! www.wooweyewear.com
neubau’s latest sunglasses edition offers a homage to Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius and the painter Wassily Kandinsky. The shape of the model is based on the Bauhaus philosophy of “form follows function” while the design and material choices are directly inspired by the movement, with a titanium frame based on bent steel tubes combined with fade tint mirror lenses recalling the facade of Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus school building in Dessau. neubau will exhibit their new optical and sun collections alongside sister company Silhouette Eyewear at the London fair. For more details about the brand, visit www.neubau-eyewear.com.
Just released a few days ago the new Elevate collection by Monkey Glasses also goes on show this month – this sustainable brand is one of several to exhibit at the London show (Bird Eyewear and Pala), and highlights the growing interest in recycling in the frame business. The brand has begun to use packaging in recycled paper as part of its eco action to go plastic free. For more details visit www.monkeyglasses.com.
Arranged by the fair organisers, this year’s RCA Eyewear design competition’s theme is 2020 Vision in Motion. The competition asked the Royal College of Art students to design and make a maquette of a new vision device, which functions as a health aid/ protection as well as a style statement we are opening up the range to possibly include; viewfinder/ device/ VR headset. Six finalists have been chosen by the judging panel and their work will be on show during the 3-day event : Andrew Cullo, Annie Foo, Fi Grew, Giulia Lombardi, Loy Chen and Sunny Kitfung. The winner will be announced during the fair.
100% Optical opens its doors on 12th January at 10am and runs through until Monday 14th January 2019. For further details and registration visit www.100percentoptical.com/about/visiting CN
