Eyestylist

The wall display: celebrating colour

13th April 2018

As rugs see a revival as true works of art fit for display on the wall, a new exhibition in Milan, timed for Milan Design Week, presents the Boucherouite collection of stunning Berber “Afolki” carpets.

The carpets come from different parts of the Middle Atlas in Morocco. Those created in Azilal are particularly creative, woven by hand by Berber women who expertly select the mix of recycled cotton, wool and synthetic materials. Above: Forbidden Dance – made with Boucherouite recycled yarn

The new Boucherouite collection for 2018 is the result of a careful selection of designs from different localities in the region and lengthy discussion with the female creators themselves.

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“The Boucherouite is a universal women’s code. It comes from the heart and develops through the women’s hands with extraordinary creativity,” says Mohamed El Alami, the founder of Afolki. “When I describe the carpets it is as if I am talking about Maliparmi, every creation is like a small and unique story. From this affinity is born the idea of a partnership with the Salone, and it represents a perfect occasion to present our new collection.”

For more information visit www.maliparmi.com / www.afolki.com – Boutique Maliparmi, via Solferino 3, Brera, Milan – 17th to 22nd April 2018 – CN

Design + Inspiration

Feminine for S/S18: 4 unique designs

13th April 2018

Spring offers a fresh start and an opportune moment to update spectacles and sunglasses. On our radar for women are statement titanium and acetate designs with a clear identity and absolute precision in details, colours and flattering feminine shaping.

Falvin Eyewear’s model Orbit – from the Black Crystal Collection – exemplifies luxury sophistication in a Danish design concept where the handcrafted titanium frames come with precious platings of palladium, rose gold and 24 carat gold. Rendered in a subtle two-tone colour scheme, the frame is modern and fashion-forward and perfectly suited to everyday wear, with the kind of comfort and barely-there feel that ensures a pleasurable experience through long periods. www.falvineyewear.com

The sweet model Cosmos by Lafont Paris, an acetate design with a tri-colour combination, is a classical example of the cat’s eye shape with a playful femininity in pretty, fashionable pastels (colour way Cosmos 3100) of pink crystal and teal with bright blue temples. www.lafont.com

Model Bise: ic! berlin ‘silk’ collection

Delicate colours and a very narrow shaping create the feminine touch in model Bise by ic! berlin, part of the super fine silk collection – free from “unnecessary branding or ornament”. These designs have a new 3.5mm screwless hinge – a progressive frame feature that offers excellent slimline aesthetics and long-lasting comfort. The two tone front is a fun new look in a season of bolder eyewear statements and colour. www.ic-berlin.de

Tyche + Iset Eyewear: effortless femininity in model Casablanca

Morganne Leigh initially began Tyche + Iset Eyewear as a portfolio piece in order to attain graphic design jobs after college. Always a sunglasses enthusiast, Morganne decided to try her hand at product design after studying jewelry design. In order to stand apart for her debut collection (Autumn 2014), she chose to utilize her handwritten signature of “Los Angeles” across the top of the frame, laser etched into the acetate and rubbed with gold oil. Another exclusive detail, which is her brand’s signature, is the gold music note charm on every model’s temple tip. Casablanca (pictured above), is available in an elegant acetate in chestnut (brown multi) with almond brown lenses, magenta (magenta ombré to clear) with grey lenses, and slate (black ombré to clear) with a blue-grey lens. Find out more about the designer at www.tycheandiset.com CN

Reviews

Danish sunglasses: Ørgreen Optics Sunglasses

11th April 2018

Modern architecture characterises the Spring/Summer 2018 Danish sunglasses designs from Ørgreen Optics with function, fashion and flair represented in the elegant frames. Classic shapes with daring accents and colourations highlight sun specs for men and women. The capsule collection pays homage to two of the grand masters of modern architecture – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. The frames unite a trio of architectural elements, new technology and industrial design effects. Sunglasses for this fresh look at sun wear are available in monochrome tones, and bold, multi-coloured combinations. Discover more Ørgreen news at www.orgreenoptics.com JG

Design + Inspiration

L.G.R Heritage Edition

10th April 2018

Heritage is an intricate component in everything that Luca Gnecchi Ruscone creates. As he celebrates the 10th anniversary of L.G.R, the Italian designer has launched The Heritage Limited Edition, that beautifully and elegantly reinterprets four iconic models of the distinguished brand: Asmara, Casablanca, Keren and Reunion. (Top image: Luca Gnecchi Ruscone)

Casablanca – Heritage Limited Edition by L.G.R

The L.G.R legacy is rooted in the warehouse discovery of his beloved grandfather – Raffaello Bini – in Asmara in the capital city of Eritrea. Luca came across lenses, sunglasses and cameras that his grandfather used to import. The depth and scope of these vintage treasures influenced Luca to create his own eyewear label. Ten years on, the L.G.R brand is renowned internationally for frames individually handcrafted in Italy by skilled artisans, in the finest quality hand-polished materials.

L.G.R 10th Anniversary – Asmara – iconic design

The new models reflect Luca’s innate appreciation of quality and homage to Raffaello Bini. The frames are crafted in matt acetate and equipped with polarised tempered mineral glass lenses, with the flaps in cellulose acetate. Small and sophisticated apertures on the side flaps are characterised by the lines of the three-light window in Luca’s grandfather’s store – Ottica Bini in the suburbs of Asmara. The four different designs are packaged in a smart leather box, or if purchased separately, presented in an exclusive, customised box and canvas case.

The L.G.R brand has established an international following in selected stores, and Luca recently opened a superbly stylish boutique on Corso Garibaldi in Milan. His individualistic, authentic, beautiful, ingenious designs are favourites with global clients, celebrities, and fashion-conscious wearers who appreciate top quality, cosmopolitan eyewear. Happy Anniversary L.G.R! www.lgrworld.com JG

Creative spirits

Dayle @artfulcitystyle NYC

6th April 2018

New Yorker Dayle from @artfulcitystyle describes herself as “combining art and style in Manhattan”. A former advocate and public speaker, today, alongside a busy volunteer job in an art gallery, Dayle is the star of an Instagram account with 20.5k followers created with professional photographer, Denton Taylor (www.dentontaylor.com). Dayle’s clever approach to personal style and enthusiasm and openness to trying new things has turned her into a fashion influencer with particular appeal to a fashion-aware over 40 audience. Eyestylist asked her about her inspiration and passion for clothes, accessories and statement eyeglasses.

Your expertise in styling accessories and eyewear has developed out of a love for fashion and art. Tell us more. I have always viewed style as a form of self-expression. So dressing myself—figuring out how to accessorize an outfit or how to combine pieces— is my art form. I have always been drawn to the arts—both visual and performing arts. I did musical theater for years, worked in an art gallery when I was in school, and now, in my retirement, am a docent at an art museum.

Your unique style involves combining outfits with interesting accessories and glasses/sunglasses. Have you always done this? Accessorizing is something I have always done and had fun with. Social media has not changed anything about how I put myself together. It merely allows me to share it with a larger audience.

Above: Dayle wears VAVA spectacles – model WL 0009 in Mazzuchelli bioplastic- a 100% recyclable material (www.vavaeyewear.com). Photography by @dentontaylor for @artfulcitystyle / NYC.

Dayle wears theo glasses (www.theo.be) *Photography by @dentontaylor*

Eyewear is for you a statement. Do you shop for frames in one optical store and can you tell us about it? Do they offer you style advice or do you seek out particular shapes or colours depending on your apparel/jewellery for the season? Are they finding “original” frames for you or are you shopping around? I buy most of my glasses from Petite Optique (www.petiteoptique.com) in New York. They have a great selection of unique frames. They know me well and know what I like and what will look good on my face and still work with my prescription. I tend to do best with round frames. I am also looking for frames that are unusual and that most resemble art.

How did you come to select the VAVA frame? I had been looking for black frames for quite a while, but wanted something that didn’t look too severe, since I am very fair-skinned. I tried on many many black frames until I saw the VAVA and fell in love with that.

Dayle wears theo glasses – *Photography by @dentontaylor*

Can you offer any tips on styling eyewear, for anyone who has not considered that their specs are in fact an extension of their personality. How can we approach the overall look and coordinate with everything else we wear successfully? Many people find it difficult to pull off and need to find that confidence. I think that eyeglasses are a great accessory. As long as you need to wear them, celebrate that! I either use eyeglasses to bring a pop of color to an outfit or to color coordinate with what I am wearing. Finding shapes that work best on your face is extremely important.

What have been your favourite frames to wear in terms of shape, colour or unique design?
I mostly wear round frames and I like large glasses. I have a lot of glasses by theo. They come out with interesting and unique designs every year and also have great colors!

Find the eyewear featured in this story at Petite Optique, New York – www.petiteoptique.com. Browse the collections at: www.vavaeyewear.com / www.theo.be CN

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