Eyestylist

Eyestylist wishes our readers and sponsors a happy, healthy and joyous New Year! The eyewear year launches on a high note with OPTI-Munich next week..a show infused with creativity and style from international designers.

Austrian brand neubau celebrates 2018 with an impressive sunglass design – Sigmund & Carl, (above) named after the great psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. They may rarely have seen “eye to eye”, but they both liked to wear round spectacles. Sigmund & Carl is a combination of the frames worn by both of these geniuses. The frames feature the unique, precision-made neubau hinge that ensures a perfectly adaptable temple. Sigmund & Carl is eco-friendly, crafted from titanium, stainless steel, and the sustainable material PX. Visit neubau at OPTI in Hall C3 Stand 116 and www.neubau-eyewear.com

A lyrical silhouette, slim and featherweight, handcrafted in Silver Oak highlights ROYALE by ROLF Spectacles, a re-launch of a ROLF bestseller. ROYALE emits a natural glow as the noble wood gives the frame a silvery shimmer. The Austrian brand – recipient of numerous awards including their second SILMO d’OR in October – specialises in wood designs crafted in their own atelier. See more ROLF creativity at OPTI in Hall C2 Stand 419, and visit www.rolf-spectacles.com

The charming, flirtatious, sleek and chic eyewear by Plein les Mirettes will exhibit at OPTI-Munich for the first time. The Normandy based label in the French countryside specialises in beautifully crafted frames in unique colour combinations, as seen in Belle 9  – in curry, white and blue. Discover the entire Plein les Mirettes collection in Hall C1 Stand 331 www.plein-les-mirettes.fr

RIGARDS has an exciting collaboration with Takayoshi Yamanami, the man behind the artisan jewellery label DETAJ. The composition of the elegant designs is formed by two elements: a genuine horn front and sterling silver temples. RIGARDS x DETAJ emphasises round shapes that are sculptural, and include RIGARD’s trademark bevelling. Distinctive and distinguished! Visit !hot at OPTI for more inspirational RIGARDS designs and www.rigards.com

A  unique, edgy, and fun shape by TAVAT is inspired by Soup Cans from the 1930’s. The Round Mask SoupCan is a TAVAT Special Edition in a design with new and unique applications of different materials. The Round Mask sunglasses are equipped with Melanin Lenses that offer a superb duo of style and eye protection, all handmade in Italy. More TAVAT ingenuity can be found in yes! at OPTI-Munich. www.tavat-eyewear.com Additional details for OPTI – 12th-14th January – at www.opti.de JG

100% Optical’s “Celebration of Vision” Design Competition runs in partnership with London’s Royal College of Art to celebrate the show’s landmark 5th Anniversary.

Students were asked to respond to the theme of “celebration” using the medium of eyewear. The 14 entries were narrowed down by a judging panel of designers, lecturers and eyewear enthusiasts. The six RCA finalists announced this week are: Clara Chu, Womenswear – Accessories, Year 1; Andrew Bell, Womenswear – Fashion, Year 1; Julia-Kirstin Hauss, Womenswear – Fashion, Year 1; Carol Muthiga-Oyekunle, Womenswear – Accessories, Year 1; Becky Hong, Womenswear – Fashion, Year 2; Ely Cao, Womenswear – Accessories, Year 1. (Image above: Project by Clara Chu.)

The competition has historically been a platform for creative study in eyewear, with students going on to develop their own eyewear lines and experiencing invaluable internships.

As part of the brief, students worked with Mazzuchelli and Laes, who provided acetate for the construction of frames, while Tom Broughton from Cubitts ran a masterclass in frame-making. Students were expected to scrutinise the process of creating eyewear, be it protective or to enhance vision. Students were also required to investigate and respond to systems, forms and scientific optical instruments, as well as advanced lens technology.

The shortlisted designs will be exhibited at 100% Optical and the competition winner will be announced during the event for the UK’s optical sector which takes place between 27-29th January 2018. For more information about the competition, read about last year’s entries: https://www.eyestylist.com/2016/12/rca-x-100-optical/ – and find further details on visiting 100% in London, UK at www.100percentoptical.com CN