Eyestylist

Peoples from Barbados – PFB 03

4th May 2018

Distinctive, fresh colour pairings, delightful shapes and an underlying joie de vivre in a fresh sunwear concept that celebrates Barbados and its people: PFB (“Peoples from Barbados”) is the work of optician and owner of EYE Q, Alicia Hartman.

The collection, produced with sunglasses designer Eric Jean, is made in Japan, and demonstrates beautiful, functional details including screwless hinges and stainless steel temples and chic shapes that pursue elegance and a fun, colourful aesthetic. Pictured above, model PFB 03 is one of the technical acetate styles highlighted, with end tips that match the front, and a combination of gloss and matt polishing – in soft tropical pink with bright lilac. The round shape of the front has been tweaked to express a modified cat eye, with slightly pointed upper sides, a cute twist.

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PFB: a sunglass edition celebrating the Bajan lifestyle

Launched at EYE Q luxury optical store (Limegrove, Barbados), the PFB frames were shown for the first time at the international optics event Vision Expo East (New York) in the Spring, and will soon be available at selected boutiques in the USA and worldwide. For further information, follow Eyestylist’s exclusive updates on the new sunglasses launch, Peoples from Barbados – Bajan Soul, and visit www.peoplesfrombarbados.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Tech trend: Ørgreen’s Quantum 2.0

3rd May 2018

Ørgreen is preparing the launch of its second Quantum collection, a high-tech minimal eyewear range that unites state-of-the-art eyewear materials and a unique hinge design (see https://www.eyestylist.com/2017/09/silmo-2017-one-week-go/ ) – the subject of much curiosity in the world of optics.

Consisting of 12 designs for men and women, the second Collection extends what the brand describes as “the preoccupation with contemporary urban identity, characterized by constant movement, freedom, and self-determination” with focus on the extra matte Polyamide fronts paired with titanium, and a new range of hues with a distinct yet understated direction.

Ørgreen Quantum 2.11 for women, with a deep lens shape

Eyestylist asked Head of Design Tobias Wandrup to comment on what differentiates a frame with this level of technicality and state-of-the-art construction: “Quantum perfectly represents the minimal and functional DNA of the Ørgreen designs. And it’s in the DNA of this brand to continuously research and implement ways to increment the minimalistic aesthetic and the functionality of the frames. In that sense, Quantum is the Ørgreen state of the art.”

Ørgreen Quantum 2.12, the butterfly look with a sleek design

“Innovation is more and more a key factor for consumers, and brands are following this trend using innovative material, applying new technologies. It is of course a matter of balance. The brand needs to be able to do that without losing the aesthetic appeal – or compromising their design statement.”

For those who have not yet seen the product close up, as well as nice clean proportions typical of the label, the frames feature a minute spherical hinge which connects the titanium temple to the polyamide front, eliminating common eyewear components such as screws and bolts, and producing a finely honed minimal focus that fits perfectly with the Danish design aesthetic. Comfort, of course, is at the top of the agenda, and with high-performance materials like titanium and polyamide in combination, you can feel secure that the frame will wear well and stand the test of time. Find out more about eyewear innovations and the latest collections by Ørgreen Optics at www.orgreenoptics.com CN

Arts + travel

Well-Dressed in Victorian Albany: 19th Century Haute Couture

3rd May 2018

Haute couture on an international scale was flourishing long before the era of globalisation. A fascinating exhibition Well-dressed in Victorian Albany: 19th Century Fashion from the Albany Institute Collection, illustrates how fashion design and changes in style evolved during the reign of the British monarch, Queen Victoria (1837-1901). (Top image:men, women and children’s fashions in a Victorian setting)

Creatively curated by Diana Shewchuk at the Institute, the galleries showcase an extraordinary selection of dresses and accessories of the era, that were purchased in Paris, and also made by skilled home seamstresses in the Upper Hudson Valley. Albany is the capital city of New York State, and Ms Shzwchuk explained: “Many of Albany’s well-to-do families went abroad either for a grand tour experience, or to have daughters presented to Queen Victoria. I think these dresses survive because they were considered masterpieces. The Institute has examples by Charles Frederick Worth; Emile Pingat; Callot Soeurs; Mme Amédée François; and others. The costumes on view tell stories of notable New Yorkers and illuminate their world of fashionable affluence.”

Luxurious materials and lace accent elegant designs in 19th Century fashion

The presentations are displayed on custom carved mannequins. “Everything is surrounded by objects from the Institute”s rich collection of paintings, furniture, and decorative arts which create scenes of nineteenth century domestic life,” noted Shewchuk, “and the addition of art and objects that were made during the Victorian era creates an atmospheric context to the exhibition.”

The vibrancy of the raspberry coloured dress (foreground) was possible with the invention by English chemist William Henry Perkins of the first aniline dye, which transformed colour in fashion.

From wedding gowns (it was Queen Victoria who popularised the idea of white as the colour choice for a wedding gown – women used to wear claret or green dresses) to walking suits, ball gowns and tea dresses, the exhibition presents a selection of extraordinary designs. Garments for both daily life and special occasions reflect the amazing, sumptuous fabrics utilised and include taffetas, shimmering silk satins, plush velvets, lace and luxurious trimmings.

Victorian atmosphere in fashion and home decor. The wicker baby carriage (background) is from the 1890’s.

“Garments like the ones in this exhibition survived because of their sentimental associations, their aesthetic beauty, and sometimes by chance, because they were put away and forgotten,” said Shewchuk. For those who appreciate and love fahsion and social history, these elegant dresses reflect the wide-ranging impact of the Industrial Revolution on the principles, technology, and social history of the time. Continues through 20 May 2018. www.albanyinstitute.org JG

Design + Inspiration

Vive sunglasses!

1st May 2018

Summer and sunglasses are synonymous and this season’s presentations offer stunning choices in materials, styles and colours. Tinted lenses bring additional zip to sun specs in glamorous, unexpected shades. Cat-eye shapes; graphic and angular frames; round shapes in mini and oversized designs; plus aviators – a perennial favourite – feature in varied selections. It’s time to celebrate summer with beautiful, distinctive sun specs from international designers.

Götti Switzerland has accumulated numerous awards for their innovative designs. The latest accolade is Frame of the Year 2018 for the elegant rimless model DC05, from the Götti Perspective collection (top image). “For me, rimless glasses are the most prestigious discipline in the design of glasses,” says designer and owner Sven Götti, “and achieving the technical requirements with so few materials took over eight years of development.” The captivating shape with tinted lenses is constructed without soldering or screws. Explore more Götti technical innovations at www.gotti.ch

Norma from The Diva Collection by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei

Drama, beauty, intrigue – Opera has it all, and is the influence for the striking designs in the Diva Collection by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei. The Divas are glamorous sunglasses with haute-couture touches in Mazzucchelli acetate. Norma has round, expressive shaping, further enhanced with tonal colour explorations. www.resrei.com

Lobster from The Signature Collection by Fleye Copenhagen

The Danish smorrebrod concept – delicious layering on sandwiches – inspires a distinctive Limited Edition sunglass design from The Signature Collection by Fleye Copenhagen – Lobster. Sculptural shaping, meticulously handcrafted in beta-titanium, ensures a slim, very light, and extremely comfortable frame. Fun and playful! www.fleye.dk

Summer days on the river in Paris inspire KBL with Seine – a contemporary, sleek sunglass design in Tortoiseshell acetate and gold metal. Seine reflects a refined, timeless design that embraces new technology. www.kbleyewear.com

LINDBERG’S latest sunglass designs for men are debonair, slim line and expertly crafted in the finest materials. Model 8412 highlights an architectural sensibility with a double bridge. All LINDBERG sunglasses are suitable for prescription lenses. www.lindberg.com

The Girl in the Garden Collection by Anna-Karin Karlsson includes luxurious sunglasses in 24K gold-plated titanium, totally handcrafted. Japanese titanium artists individually sculpt the lush flowers that embellish The Garden. www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG

Creative spirits

WOOW Eyewear: behind the brand

30th April 2018

In 2011, the French eyewear company FACE A FACE launched a second brand, WOOW, a colourful stylish line of off-beat frames with engaging messages on the temples. Eyestylist met the young designers behind the catchy concept, Claire Ferreira and Marianne Dezes (above).

How did you come up with “WOOW” eyewear? In 2011, we had been working on the possibility of creating another brand in addition to FACE A FACE. We wanted it to be young and fresh with an accessible price. We started with the concept of the frame, and focused on the temples or arms which face each other – the original focus of FACE A FACE. We imagined them starting to chat to one another – and that was the beginning of this very different idea. We now see the WOOW label as the child of FACE A FACE.

Why WOOW? Woow is a palindrome, a fun “sound” that people use as an expression for many different things. You can say it any way you want and it is totally spontaneous. As a collection name, it works perfectly with the witty phrases on the temples. We wanted to see if we could create a new relationship with eyewear through this name, inspiring happiness, joy and hope through British inspired humour, colour and the personal touch of the words on different frame styles.

How are the frames styled? The shapes are always trendy and fashionable, for the young and the daring. The touch of colour is really specific in the combination of materials. Our inspiration came from London, but always with a strong influence, naturally, from our own French taste. One of our idiosyncratic design details – highlighting the words at the temple tips – came from the design of the old-fashioned typewriters and their classic round keys.

As designers, you have created something completely different. Are you pleased with the results? WOOW is like our baby, it’s a collection we adore! When we were training, we didn’t only learn about shape and colour and product design, for us designing means thinking too – and coming up with new ideas. With WOOW we had the chance to oversee all the steps, from the concept to the creation of the actual frames, giving life to a brand with an evolution that we hope our wearers will truly enjoy. you don’t just choose a frame with WOOW, it’s really about choosing a lifestyle!

Tell us about the styles releasing this month? The new collection includes different looks: a more “working girl” styling, through to architectural shapes and, on the other hand, some very feminine frames. Bigger trendy silhouettes and a mix of more unusual colours stand out. Our frames are tempting like sweets – it’s difficult choose which one to go for! For more details about WOOW, visit www.wooweyewear.com CN

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