It is always a pleasure to introduce a new quality eyewear label. Belgian brand Komorebi has caught our interest with its clean designs produced in Japanese titanium and carefully selected Mazzucchelli acetate. Each of the models is inspired by transparency, light and reflection, based on ‘komorebi’, the Japanese word for “sunlight shining through the leaves”.
Komorebi eyewear works closely with small creative workshops in Belgium and Europe to create its frames and eyewear cases. Model Velma, a unisex sandblasted titanium frame has a gentle aesthetic that is clean, minimal and delicate but appealingly different.
www.komorebi.be CN
Dublin by l.a. Eyeworks
Among l.a. Eyework’s latest – and striking – collection is the voluminous, fun and graphic design – Dublin. Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds always pioneer the unexpected in eyewear with demonstrative shapes, lovely materials, and elite colours. Crafted in acetate in Italy, the combination of Tea Sparkle Tile with Tiger Eye colourations ensure this is a memorable design. Visit www.laeyeworks.com for an adventure in creative eyewear. JG
Shapely silhouettes
Architectural elements, nature’s influence in varied forms, fashion and historical references, all contribute to the amazing variety of contemporary frame shapes. Coupled with ingenious crafting and technical superiority, the latest eyewear shapes are innovative, expressive, and most importantly – wearable. Featured above: California flair is symbolised in festive Sir Lady 315 Red Cocktail acetate by l.a. Eyeworks. Handmade with Italian flair. www.laeyeworks.com
With its striking textured stone finish, Nasia in stainless steel by Canadian designer Mehran Baghaie at Spectacle Eyeworks, is deftly crafted in a cat-eye shape with distinctive detailing, and made in Germany. www.spec-eyeworks.com
Theo has always taken the adventurous route with shape, and the latest exploration is vivacious Pieper in acetate and metal, with its sensuous form and cut-outs. www.theo.be
An ideal frame for small faces that gives the illusion of a larger shape – style PM043 from the JF Rey Petite Collection features two different acetates and stylish colour play. www.jfrey.fr
Dramatic and dynamic, Nightingale in curvaceous acetate is chic and sophisticated, and crafted in England by Walter & Herbert. www.walterandherbert.com
French brand Vue dc embraces boldness in shape and sophisticated colourations with Kot in acetate. www.vuedc.fr JG
Transitions Style Colours: a new experience
Adaptive lenses – also known as photochromics – are entering a brand new era. Whilst fashion has set down rules for us to wear ever brighter coloured frames with colourful lenses, Transitions Optical, the makers of the most famous light-adaptive lenses has launched a new collection of style-driven colours for specs wearers demanding a stylish and sophisticated final product.
Fitted for my review by Kensington’s Eyeworks London (www.eyeworkslondon.com), the new Style Colours lenses in Sapphire are a fashionable match for the black frame colour I had selected, darkening to a point outside in full sunshine where they take on an intense bright blue. The other lens hues in the range – Amber, Emerald and Amethyst – also darken to produce statement tones that will enhance both a matching frame colour or provide a very stylish dramatic contrast.
Worn indoors the experience is that of wearing normal glasses, with a clear, high-quality lens. The tone changes quickly outside providing immediate UV protection with the trendy tinted coloration, chic and comfortable to wear whether gently faded (a popular look for summer) or at their darkest when the glasses transform ‘magically’ into shades.
Style Colours were launched in the UK in May. For more details visit www.stylecolours.co.uk. Pictured above: the new Style Colours lenses in Sapphire fitted in Kirk & Kirk’s model Warren from the Kaleidoscope Collection. www.kirkandkirk.com. CN
Divine Lil Something by Anna-Karin Karlsson
Pearls are definitely “divine lil somethings” as expressed in Anna-Karin Karlsson’s opulent design – and have a long history of symbolism. In ancient Rome, they were connected to wealth; in the Royal Courts of Europe, pearls encrusted tiaras, rings, necklaces and bracelets; and in 1916, French jeweller Jacques Cartier purchased his landmark Fifth Avenue shop by trading two pearl necklaces for the property.
Translucent pearls look especially splendid in Karlsson’s luxurious optical frame. The upswept cat eye shape is enhanced with lustrous pearls in graded sizes set in gold for a dramatic effect. “This is a happy shape,” says Anna-Karin. Divine Lil Something is among the exquisite optical styles by the Swedish designer – discover more at www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG