Tortoiseshell spectacles effortlessly span the realm of tradition and fashion. Eyeglasses in tortoiseshell are noted as scholarly, intellectual and vintage, whilst also enjoying power being trendy and chic. Since the 17th century, tortoiseshell glasses have captivated wearers – first in original tortoiseshell; nowadays, with endless technology, there are varied tortoiseshell patterns, as well as marbled and multi-coloured. Designers love the opportunities of working with tortoiseshell patterns – here are several frames that catapult tortoiseshell to new fashion summits. Tortoiseshell is a favourite of Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei (top image). Handcrafted excellence is evident in Epicuro from the Philosophers Collection that combines transparent acetate with Havana tortoiseshell. The distinguished shape features trapezoidal lenses combined with a unique nose bridge. Visit www.resrei.com for individualistic frame creations from the Italian brand symbolic with excellent taste, traditions and trends.
Lafont Paris has beautiful tortoiseshell variations wafting through the collections – with designs ingeniously created for men, women and children. Included in the latest collection is Beaudelaire, named after Charles Beaudelaire, the compelling 19th century French poet, art critic and essayist. If Beaudelaire were here today, he might enjoy wearing this style, with its pure, uncluttered shape, elegant colourations, and distinctive nose bridge. Discover more Lafont designs at www.lafont.com
KoKo by Oliver Goldsmith has a charming history. The frame was named after a California gorilla that was able to learn and use sign language. The powerful features of the frame express a gorilla’s strength and robustness. The design is from the OG Icons Collection – a desired, best-selling design for over forty years. The voluminous shape in tortoiseshell acetate is an enduring classic from the iconic British brand. www.olivergoldsmith.com
Orgreen Optics excels in contemporary minimalistic aesthetics. The Danish label modernises tortoiseshell by combining with titanium steel, Orgreen’s distinctively lightweight trademark. The super slim, linear frame Rain is a thoroughly sleek rendition of classical, much loved tortoiseshell. www.orgreenoptics.com JG
Hamburg: new independent store opens
H.B.K Hamburg, an independent store created by Klaas Stolzenburg and Gregor Thomsen has opened in north Hamburg. The shop is located near Stormarnplatz, and presents a mix of independent eyewear brands including German design labels REIZ (www.reiz.net), Coblens (www.coblens.de), MatzeMarpe (www.matzemarpe.de) and Hamburg Eyewear (www.hamburg-eyewear.de) as well as Dick Moby (www.dick-moby.com) from Amsterdam and the Danish brand Orgreen (www.orgreenoptics.com). The interior has been designed by the two young opticians, who explained how they installed – for the most part – the interior fittings and lighting themselves.
Simple natural wooden floors, wood shelving and display areas, industrial lighting, and large floor-to-ceiling windows create an atmosphere that is fresh and welcoming, with the feel of a friendly open gallery.
“Whether trendy, retro or extravagant, our range offers the right eyewear for every taste,” explain the owners, who have a passion for handcrafted quality collections. “The shop has a cozy Hanseatic ambiance, designed to make the eyewear purchase a real experience for anyone who comes to see us.”
Find more details about the store at https://www.hanseatischesbrillenkontor.com Hanseatisches Brillenkontor · Frahmredder 5 · 22393 Hamburg, Germany – CN Find more stores in Germany: https://www.eyestylist.com/2016/03/family-optics-in-munich/
Leopard print: 8376 Jono Hennessy
Controvesy and conservatism are no strangers to leopard print. The trend started to be fashionable with Joan Crawford, the glamorous Hollywood movie star, and nowadays, actress Cate Blanchett and model Kate Moss are “spotted” in leopard prints. In Western culture, leopard prints are a symbol of power and wealth. They are a favourite from royalty to rock stars, and politicians. While politicians may not concur on many subjects, two UK politicians do agree on leopard print as a fashion statement. Theresa May, UK Prime Minister, is known for her fondness for leopard print shoes, while Labour MP Angela Rayner was photographed recently in a leopard print top. The magnificently sleek animal inspires designers of fashion, accessories, home decor, and eyewear.
Jono Hennessy’s latest collection includes a tribute to the species with a beautiful Mazzuchelli Italian acetate frame that replicates the leopard’s amazing spots. Like a leopard, JH 8376 is a bold and strong design – a contemporary shape, with a soft, sculptural flow, and a subtle retro hint on the temples. Jono Hennessy frames are crafted with spectacle making traditions that ensure beauty, fine fit, comfort and durability.
The Australian brand Jono Hennessy was founded in 1925 and remains a family business to this day. Based in Sydney, Jono Hennessy is passionate about his city and country. Frame inspiration is frequently derived from his surroundings in a city with innovative architecture, including the Sydney Opera House; and the Australian outback, with its diverse animals, plants, trees and colours. Plus there is the allure of sea, sun and surf – another strong influence for him. Eyewear is in Jono Hennessy’s DNA: as a child he watched his father when fitting custom-made frames for clients, and perform eye tests. Jono’s early experiences are now entrenched into third generation quality frame making. Discover more frame adventure – both optical and sunglass designs – at www.jonohennessy.com JG
Munich fair: Opti excitement!
The international optics and eyewear design trade show Opti – which takes place at the Fairground Messe München – is preparing for its 2018 edition from 12th to 14th January in Germany. The event attracts creative designers, optical entrepreneurs, business and fashion experts and continues to grow its position as a leading event for the optical industry across Europe, and a meeting place for designers, innovators and creatives. Above: Falvin Eyewear from Denmark: an independent label that first exhibited at Opti in 2016 in the HOT area, designed for newcomers. Today Falvin exhibits with international eyewear companies in Hall C1 – www.falvineyewear.com
The fair attracts companies and designers of many nationalities, and highlights Europe’s independent creative eyewear segment.
Jean-François Rey has exhibited in Munich since the fair first launched there. For this edition, the French brand promises many brand new releases across its collections, including new concepts ‘Double Jeu’ and ‘Fender’; the company also told Eyestylist they will launch an ultralight metal collection called SOHO and a new wood carbon concept for Jean-François Rey. A highlight is the designer’s iconic styles from the 80s in the line called “1985”. Since its release two years ago, the collection continues to grow with models like Stanford (above) – designed as a faithful replica of the original frame with a few subtle modifications for a slightly contemporary edge. www.jfrey.fr
L.G.R. has achieved extremely high levels of quality and uniqueness in the artisan production of their eyewear which has become synonymous with innovation and creativity.
Model Addis, an ophthalmic D-frame, is a perfect example of their ability to produce impeccably crafted glasses with a nod to classic shapes of the past. L.G.R’s 2018 designs -including frames highlighted in the latest campaign – will be on show in Germany, where the brand has already gained a strong following from the luxury independent boutiques. www.lgrworld.com
Danish design company Ørgreen has had a succession of new launches in 2017, and the momentum for this continues. They recently announced a new line in lightweight titanium steel, with focus on the classic tortoise patterning. The colour is applied to the Japanese titanium frame by hand, meaning that every pair of their tortoise frames will be slightly different. Offered in six of Ørgreen’s most recent styles (Columbus, Vitus, Lemon, Vasco, Snow, and Rain), this selection for both men and women adds a classic twist to Ørgreen’s highly contemporary minimalist aesthetic. More will be revealed at Opti: www.orgreenoptics.com
Monoqool’s ability to make 3d printed frames that are style-oriented, light to wear and extremely well designed and finished is underlined in its new 2018 entries which are very thin and produced in interesting colours.The company exhibits in the YES!-area, OPTI’s space for design labels showcasing new trends and innovations. CEO Allan Petersen told Eyestylist the company is preparing brand new releases for the Opti fair. More details coming soon: www.monoqool.com
Opti takes place annually at the beginning of the year and is held at Fairground Munich. As the international trade show for optics & design, it presents the entire spectrum of optics ranging from frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses and low-vision products to shop set-up, technical equipment and devices. This makes Opti a platform for product premieres by international market leaders and start-up companies alike. Since 2008, the show has been run by GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH. Since then Opti has shown continual growth. The trade show was held for the first time ever in 1998. For more information: www.opti.de CN
Churchill’s reading spectacles go on sale
Antique expert Catherine Southon is including a pair of Sir Winston Churchill’s tortoiseshell spectacles made by his opticians C. W. Dixey & Sons in a Christmas auction on Wednesday, 6th December 2017. The auction will be held at Farleigh Golf Club, near Croydon, UK, not far from Churchill’s Kent residence, and the spectacles are estimated to sell for up to £2,000.
The full rimmed round glasses with white dot to tip of each arm, contained within a leather spectacle case embossed C.W.Dixey & Son London 1777, together with a typed statement from Director of C. W. Dixey Mr P. Varnes verifying that the spectacles were made for Winston Churchill and claiming ‘usually three pairs of spectacles were made to Churchill’s prescription and kept at the Cavendish Square showroom later the Wigmore Street practice. After Churchill’s death C.W. Dixey had three pairs of Churchill’s spectacles still in their possession. It is believed one pair were given to Chartwell, one pair auctioned in 2011 and this is the final pair.
The spectacles were give to the present owner by Mr P. Varnes Director of Dixey and Sons, as the present owner, also an optician, was developing a new range of spectacles in the style of Churchill and Mr Varnes said he should ‘have the real thing’.
Churchill was very fond of his distinctive eyewear – either half-eye or the fully round style which were tailored for specific purposes and marked accordingly. The metal dots in the corner of the frame indicate its purpose – one dot for reading only and two dots for speeches, but he also had specially made glasses for sketching, painting, or card playing.
The wartime prime minister was often seen wearing the circular tortoiseshell spectacles in his later years. He had several made, so he would always have spares and if there was anything wrong with them, they would then be left with opticians Dixey for repairs.
Catherine said: “We are absolutely delighted to be offering a pair of Winston Churchill’s spectacles, especially as this area is very proud of its Churchill connection. His spectacles are as iconic as his cigar and hat. We expect a lot of interest both here and abroad as Churchill memorabilia is always very collectable.”
Today, the British spectacle makers C W Dixey & Son produce a range of classical designs including a faithful replica of Sir Winston’s legendary circular frames, model Chartwell 01, picture above. More details on the line at http://www.cwdixeyandson.com/range.php
Further details on the auction visit www.catherinesouthon.co.uk / More about CW Dixey on Eyestylist.com: https://www.eyestylist.com/2012/02/men-and-their-glasses/ CN
Update – 11th December: The spectacles sold for £6000. (£7,296 incl. Premium and VAT). The spectacles were veryfied by a typed letter from the director of the opticians.