Luxurious crafting in titanium; exceptional shiny finishes in amazing colours; and sleek shapes ensure unmistakable elegance in Blackfin’s Black Edition. Frames – including Charleston (above) are available in dark blue, brown and black, and the finishes include striking colour details in Pale Amber Gold, Obsidian Black Gold, Imperial Yellow and Ancient Rose Gold. The Italian label has created an exclusive patented process – Blackfin Nano-Plating. This is a special treatment in which metal particles are vaporised in a vacuum, inducing sublimation that enables the particles to be deposited – atom-by-atom – on the the surface of the frames to obtain a stunning chromatic effect. The results are luxurious frame designs that are durable, sophisticated and comfortable to wear. Visit www.blackfin.eu to discover all the new optical models with Blackfin Nano-Plating. JG
L.G.R Eyewear artistry
Italian craftsmanship is long revered in fine accessories…often viewed as an art form. Luca Gnecchi Ruscone (above photo) – the creative force behind L.G.R – combines the tradition of superb workmanship with his deep love of and passion for Italy and Africa. These elements ensure eyewear with artistic flair, purity of line, and subtle elegance.
The latest collection of stunning eyewear designs for men and women includes expressive eyewear shapes with timeless chic.
The finest quality hand-polished materials in acetate and metals are transformed into sunglass and optical designs that are equally comfortable for city and country pursuits.
The enduring beauty of tortoiseshell and the interplay of subtle interpretations in neutral tones gives the frames distinctive finesse.
L.G.R eyewear designs are sold internationally in style savvy opticians and boutiques. The frames are also available in the smart, sophisticated, L.G.R boutique on Corso Garibaldi in Milan. Explore and experience the individualistic eyewear artistry of L.G.R at www.lgrworld.com JG
100% Optical: preparations underway
Eyewear from across the globe will find its way to London in January for 100% Optical, the UK’s premier optical event (for trade), now in its sixth year. The event is a showcase for new and established eyewear collections, as well as the latest innovations and cutting-edge technology – and takes place at ExCel exhibition centre in East London. The fast expanding independent eyewear design collections are represented each year by a selection of highly regarded companies including Andy Wolf, Tavat Eyewear, Silhouette and Francis Klein. Above: Tavat Eyewear returns to 100% in 2019: their collection continues to expand with striking designs in premium materials and a much praised and innovative ‘sandwich frame design’ called “SoupCan”. www.tavat-eyewear.com
FACE A FACE will bring chic colour to the London fair and new 2019 sunglasses with an audacious character in their interpretation of light and colour.
“Our new collection is all about exploring colours and the dynamic movement created by sculpting with light,” explains Pascal Jaulent, Head of Design at FACE A FACE. “Playful transparencies highlight the contrasts between being and not being, challenging the viewer and creating optical illusions.” www.faceaface-paris.com
Newcomers to the London event will include Lafont Paris, a label which has long been appreciated in the UK for its quality, elegance and design excellence. For those unfamiliar with Lafont, this Paris based company has an exciting history, originating in the 1920s. Their expertise continues to evolve with extraordinary creativity under the direction of brothers Matthieu and Thomas Lafont. www.lafont.com
Another notable addition to the London fair for January – and a must-see – is the Swiss label Von Arkel. Currently Von Arkel’s innovations and extraordinary design precision in the luxury eyewear segment is propelling the business quickly into new markets and the most exclusive optician’s stores, internationally. Their secret ingredient is there successful “marriage of eyewear manufacturing and Swiss watchmaking inspired hinges.” Find out more at www.vonarkel.com
Swiss label Gotti is a regular exhibitor in London, successful across the country for its appeal both technologically and in terms of its unique comfortable materials and design competence. As well as gorgeous titanium collections, they also highlight achievements in 3D printed eyewear, as one of few labels that has mastered a sophistication in the 3D printing process and combination designs using Polyamide and other materials – the resulting designs are impressive and a delight to wear. More information at www.gotti.ch.
100% takes place at London’s ExCel from 12th to 14th January 2019. The event has announced the launch of “Eyewear Week” from 7th to 13th January to further raise the profile of eyewear as a fashion accessory. To find out more visit https://www.100percentoptical.com/ CN
Article + images: Copyright EYESTYLIST.COM
Fox – Fleye Copenhagen
FLEYE Copenhagen has been awarded the prestigious German Design Award for Excellent Product Design in the Category Lifestyle and Fashion for ‘Fox’ – stylish sunglasses in beta-titanium and acetate.The sleek design is handcrafted with three layers, combining solid and transparent hard density cellulose acetate with beta-titanium. Lightness, flexibility and durability add to the character of the design, with its individualistic attitude. Environmental – as well as fashion considerations – are incorporated into Fox, as the sunglasses are constructed using non-toxic materials with hypoallergenic qualities, and AR coated lenses. Discover more from the Scandinavian label at www.fleye.dk JG
EYE Q Stylist Optician, Barbados
Alicia Hartman opened Eye Q in 2011 at the luxury location Limegrove Lifestyle Center on Barbados platinum west coast, a shopping hot spot featuring luxury fashion stores – Vuitton, Burberry and Ralph Lauren. Despite a worldwide recession at the time, the shop quickly became the leading independent optical boutique on the island. In 2018, the owner launched her own independent sunglasses label, PFB (Peoples from Barbados) dedicated to the Bajan community and its unique all-embracing lifestyle, filled with warmth, colour and natural style.
“Many people thought I was crazy to take on a project of this scale with no experience in retail, marketing and management,” explains Alicia Hartman with a smile. But with the support of her husband Sam and family she achieved what she set out to do, “with passion and love”.
Alicia set out to offer personalized stylist consultations offering the best eye care with a stylistic approach and a laid back yet professional atmosphere. “Initially we brought the world to Barbados through a combination of designer and independent brands,” she explains. “From day one, I preferred independent brands, but I did incorporate some of the well known designer brands as crowd pleasers.”
Over the years she gained the trust of clients and was able to focus on creative independent brands. With this came Peoples from Barbados in 2017, Alicia’s own collection of sunglasses. “The shop has a real purpose beyond eyewear and I’m excited. It’s as if we’re taking Barbados, the people and the culture to the world through a truly unique colorful understated and glamorous collection!”
The store itself offers a clean minimal space designed to showcase the frames – with Caribbean flair, and a personal playlist of music that reflects the owner’s love for travel and other cultures. “Initially there were wall decals of different people in glasses. We referred to them as the #eyeqpeoplez with a “z”. In Barbados “my peoples or my people” is a connecting phrase, to make someone feel a part of something special. The idea was always to have a personalized stylistic approach bringing people together in Barbados, regardless of there class or colour – and with one thing in common: “great taste in glasses and the desire to be unique and stand out from the crowd”.
Today a few things have changed. “To liven up the minimal space there are life size black and white portraits of beautiful Bajan faces in PFB eyewear by local photographer Adrian Richards. We wanted to showcase the real Barbados – not just the “postcard images”.”
This season, the collections in the store include independent brands from different cities around the world. “On an island, it’s important to do that! The demographic here ranges from aristocrats to fishermen to artists and celebrities.”
When I select designs I have a specific client in mind. I must offer glamour (Linda Farrow / UK), colour (theo /Belgium) , and technological sophistication (Mykita / Germany). With the Peoples from Barbados collection, we can also offer our own distinctive DNA ‘with Bajan Soul’. “I have aspirations for PFB, to make my Bajan people proud of who they are. I plan to promote Bajan artists and local talent and to encourage them to think independently – to live their dreams!”
Peoples from Barbados Eyewear is available at EYE Q and Selima Optique, New York. Find more details at https://peoplesfrombarbados.com/ CN
Eye Q Stylist Opticians, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre Holetown, Barbados