Following the flagship in New Orleans, and a 6 month pop-up style residency, in Soho, New York, US brand Krewe has opened a permanent location at 85 1⁄2 Spring St.
The airy minimal interior has been designed “to cultivate an intimate experience with the brand while strengthening the ties between New Orleans and New York”. Utilizing flora displays, a modern white decor and New Orleans-based artisans to create interior finishings, the space has a close affinity with Krewe’s standalone storefront in the French Quarter of their city of origin.
“New Yorkers are continuing to seek out Krewe,” says founder and creative director, Stirling Barrett. “This store is a celebration of the success that we’ve had with our 6th month residency and our relationship with the SoHo neighborhood.”
Krewe was founded in 2013. The brand is built on the philosophy of doing something unexpected from a place no one would expect. Using the spirit and soul of New Orleans as a source of inspiration, KREWE’s frames are designed to embrace individuality. Designed by Barrett in KREWE’s New Orleans design studio the collection includes colorful hand-carved plant-based acetates, mixed metals, and a wide array of premium lenses. www.krewe.com CN
Artisanal eyewear jewellery: Anneleen Bertels
Wear the Eyes SS18 – An Artisanal Eyewear Collection designed by Belgian fashion designer Anneleen Bertels for Liselore Frowijn ‘MEXICO’ SS18 collection. Handcrafted in collaboration with Eline De Winter and Vincent Verstrepen.
The SS18 “Wear the eyes”- collection by Anneleen Bertels in collaboration with Eline De Winter and Vincent Verstrepen is the search for the functionality of ‘viewing’ and the luxury of admiring eyewear as a custom-made piece of jewelry or fine art. Shaped in an entirely handcrafted manner, the designs are executed with close attention to detail and are exclusively available as a limited couture edition.
‘Wear the eyes’ is an architectural game of raw and refined metal drawings for the eyes with fractions of colours, inspired by the 3-dimensional shapes of swimming goggles and the sharpness of sports eyewear. The aim, according to Bertels, was to push the limit of what eyewear can and could be.
The artisan’s expertise is reflected by the way the lenses are placed on the frames, referencing ancient and traditional ways of setting stones and diamonds on jewelry. “These frames are shaped out of the idea that we should experience and feel our surroundings more consciously through the objects we are in touch with on a daily basis,” explains the designer. Anneleen aims to reach out for objects that have the power to create effective experiences and make us want to invest more in a tactile and emotional relationship and interaction with these objects over time.
For this collection, Anneleen Bertels collaborated with and called upon the expertise of jewelry designers and makers Vincent Verstrepen en Eline De Winter, who assisted her throughout the whole design process with their knowledge and insights. They crafted the eyewear in their atelier with extreme precision. All the coloured lenses were provided by Zeiss. The designs are available exclusively from the designer via www.anneleenbertels.be. CN
Collectibles: Vinylize x AC/DC
Vinylize extends their ranges this season with a new musical connection. The Official Vinylize x AC/DC collection is a special edition of “collectible” optical frames and sunglasses, with fronts laminated with the 22 x multi-platinum “Back in Black”, AC/DC’s seventh studio album and sixth international release, produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, which has gone down in history as one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The frames have the distinctive hand-finished nuances typical of the Budapest brand, with names inspired by the tracks on the album. Model Noise is linked to the final track on Back in Black – “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution”, an anthem that captures the feeling of the time.
Three optical frames and three sunglasses (with polarised lenses) are available in the limited collection, each in three sizes. Find out more about handmade vinyl designs by Zach Tipton at www.vinylize.com CN
Monochrome mood
For those who love a throwback, the new wave of monochrome in fashion and home decor, with a nod to the 60s (and a hint of the 90s), comes with a modern flavour and directional elegance, whatever the context. In the accessory world, the trend is easy-to-wear and instantly on point, and designers – from specialists in eyewear to milliners and home furnishing creatives – are having fun with the mix, as a “fresh” redefined statement or classic combo. Above: AnifInChains, Athens, produce coloured chains including marble effects and black&white styles – for details: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnifInChains
http://anifinchains.blogspot.com /
On the face, black and white or black and crystal provides a touch of drama and individuality, and an interesting alternative to all over black. Claire Goldsmith’s model Hathaway, a luxurious example, features a front in a thin black with crystal acetate, and a silhouette inspired by the cat eye with a deep, square form. More two-tone designs including Dalton (in Matte Slate & Storm) are featured in the CG line by the great-granddaughter of iconic designer Oliver Goldsmith: details at www.olivergoldsmith.com
Also combined on the front, the monochrome mix makes a statement in Vue DC’s CM 10, with the black along the brow and crystal outlining the eyes. The frame is handmade in France and stands out for its artisan finishing and artsy, charismatic silhouette. Find more inspiration at www.vuedc.fr CN
The wall display: celebrating colour
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.
“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