Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 25th May 2017

Acetate designs: a playful blend of hues

Acetate may be a traditional frame material but the latest proposals in this classic in eyewear open a new phase of colour refinement with a contemporary outlook. From revamped tortoise creations to prints with grain effects inspired by natural stone or fabric – these wonderfully playful designs provide the wearer with a personal and effortless statement in modern dressing.

Jono Hennessy, one of a handful of independent Australian labels releases innovative colours and patterns season after season. Model BLAST 8408 represents an example of the mix of lush tortoise colorations (blue and red infused tortoise) that continue to trend alongside the classic tortoise colours. The designer was inspired by the sails of the Sydney Opera House for the angular shapes. Find more inspiration from designer Jono at www.jonohennessy.com

Dabrach – Cassio Silvestre 2

The small Italian label Dabrach – from Piemonte, Italy – has explored (among several classic colours) some intensely bright and patterned materials – including rare acetates – since it first launched in 2015. Their combination of angular handmade shapes and unusual colour effects make a delightful and distinctive spectacle. Further details: www.dabrach.com

Woow – Make It 2

Behind Woow Eyewear – a label that has grown out of a heritage of colour and style innovation – is a love of bright, impactful shapes. Model Make It 2 is on point in the context of playful tones, bringing a strong translucent aqua together with multicoloured, mottled-effect temples. www.wooweyewear.com

DIVA VIII by Plein Les Mirettes

French artisan label Plein Les Mirettes specialises in women’s designs with quirky yet wearable shapes. Colours range from brights to highly decorative and multicoloured: the very pretty asymmetrical DIVA VIII is part of a limited series produced in some fresh and unconventional coloured acetates. For more details: www.plein-les-mirettes.fr CN

| Eyestylist 23rd May 2017

Nicola del Din, Blackfin

The CEO of Italy’s fast-growing independent titanium brand Blackfin, Nicola del Din, talked to Eyestylist about eyewear heritage and his passion for life outside optics. 

Tell us about you as a “creative”. Your training, biggest influences in terms of aesthetics/details/colours and your interests such as photography. I have a deep interest in technology, graphics and imagery. I have had this interest since I was at school. At that time, we didn’t have anything like the technological opportunities of today. But I was still very much into computers and I remember my first pcs…a Commodor 16, then the 64 and the Commodor Amiga which I used with a camera to make videos at school! I also love digital photography and the opportunities we have now to modify imagery via apps and special programs.

Music is also one of my great interests, particularly with the multimedia aspects: video represents the perfect synthesis of all my passions: IT, graphics and music, all in one! My work is to produce excellent eyewear and my passions can therefore become a function of my work. I couldn’t ask for more. I am very lucky for that – my job has become a life focus which I can develop and grow thanks to the contributions of many people around me.

Gold Beach by Blackfin

Blackfin is a young fast-growing company. What is the ingredient that been most important in allowing it to develop so successfully? Incredibly, the crisis. At the time and through the 1990s we were reflecting on our future, and what we were wanting to achieve. We realised that technical capabilities were not enough and that is was essential to have a strong communications strategy for the brand. So we started again. We are like a start-up but we are 47 years old! It’s a contradiction in terms but that’s what has happened: we combined our experience in production with a new fresh enthusiasm to start out on a new adventure.

Blackfin has its own design team, but you are clearly a creative “driving force” when it comes to campaigns and marketing? Blackfin today is the ideal realisation of the potential I could see 10 years ago. And this vision is not just about the product, but rather a precise image and method of communication. The amazing thing is it just keeps running: my head is firmly looking forward into the future.

Oyster Bay by Blackfin

Tell us about your collaborations which are far from ordinary? Our collaborations can be out of the ordinary and unexpected. This is because we go beyond the product to find shared social, geographic, moral and cultural values. This is the case with Cipriani: what we have in common is the constant research dedicated to offering excellence in Italian products. Excellence understood as authentic luxury which, as Arrigo Cipriani reminds us, is the expression of a complex simplicity.

We found a similar synergy with Andrea Bocelli. Andrea is a great artist, and an Italian man of great integrity. Our collaboration with him and his Foundation represents sharing a vision towards Italian excellence and authenticity. (more…)

| Eyestylist 21st May 2017

Roland-Garros x Lafont Paris

Roland-Garros – the prestigious Parisian tennis tournament – celebrates its 30th anniversary in collaboration with Lafont Paris – with two Limited Edition sunglass designs. Lafont’s Parisian eyewear chic captures the heritage and performance of Roland-Garros with striking designs, inspired by two tennis legends – Suzanne Lenglen and Marcel Bernard. Lenglen dominated women’s tennis from 1914 to 1926 – winning The French Open (Roland-Garros) twice – and Wimbledon six times.

Tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen in action on the tennis court

The Suzanne frame (top image) expresses retro-chic spirit in dark tortoiseshell, a softly sculptured shape in high tech materials, beautifully crafted in the Jura region of France.

 

Marcel – Limited Edition by Roland-Garros x Lafont Paris

Marcel Bernard brought glory to France when he won the French Championships in 1946; later he was President of the French Tennis Federation. The sunglasses that bear his name are distinguished with their contemporary shape and a “Mousquetaires stripe” inside layer displaying the tournament’s colours.

Marcel Bernard – French Open Champion 1946

Suzanne and Marcel feature anti-reflective brown lenses, and a laser engraved Roland-Garros logo. The Limited Edition of 150 models are numbered and certified “French Origin Guaranteed.” The sunglasses are available in Lafont’s Paris boutiques – visit www.lafont.com for details – and also at Roland-Garros stadium when play commences 22nd May. Designs that are a perfect “ace!” JG

| Eyestylist 18th May 2017

Gogosha Pop-Up 2.0

An intriguing journey is underway at Gogosha Boutique, one of the most highly regarded optical boutiques in America. Founder/owner Julia Gogosha has left her long standing store in Silver Lake, and is heading to a new location in Echo Park, via several pop-ups at some creative, alternative spaces.

“Rents have doubled and building conditions deminished. We needed to find a place that felt like home for the future of Gogosha Optique. We are building a permanent new location in Echo Park, which will be complete in the Fall. In the meantime we have been nomadic to be able to continue our services to our loyal clientele base as well as expose ourselves to new customers.”

The first pop-up was tucked away upstairs in what the Gogosha team called the treehouse, above Go get em Tiger, McConnell’s ice cream shop and next to the coveted 5 room Hotel Covel. Just recently they have moved across the street from the original location, next to a transformative dance studio and close to the addictive Night + Market Song Thai restaurant. “We’re even featuring a Garrett Leight Shop-in-Shop,” Julia explains. “It’s one of our most accessible brands and it’s a great service to have a greater selection for our clientele to show a harmonious collaboration between a vendor and a multi brand store who operate only a few miles from each other.”

Current location of the Gogosha pop-up – 3325 Sunset Blvd

These locations have been the result of relationships with clients and advocates, she explains. “Without them we would’ve operated solely from our West Third Street location for nine month greatly hindering the convenience for many of our East side clientele.”

“We’ve created each new environment on a shoe string budget with a skeleton crew – but with the highest visual impact. It’s as challenging as it is rewarding.  We’re excited to learn and evolve with each move, continuing our love of eyewear and community. Then ultimately creating an environment that will help elevate a curated eyewear experience.” More information coming soon! www.gogosha.com CN

| Eyestylist 17th May 2017

Sunglasses!

There is nothing like beautiful, luxuriously crafted sunglasses to enhance your mood, perk up fashion attire, and make the wearer feel wonderful! This season the selection of sun specs is more alluring than ever, with frames in gorgeous colours and materials, plus striking details. Discover enticing sunglass creations by artistic designers – contemporary to eclectic interpretations of a fashion accessory brimming with style. Top image: Streamlined sophistication in LINDBERG n.o.w.8305.  www.lindberg.com

Billion Dollar Babes by Anna-Karin Karlsson

Glamorous Cat-eye Dazzle: Swarovski crystals glitter on Anna-Karin Karlsson’s Billion Dollar Babes in acetate, with 24 caret gold accents. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

CM11 by Christian Mascré Vue DC

Nautical inspiration: CM11 Christian Mascré’s sleek acetate sunglasses in perennially loved sea-faring colours. www.vuedc.fr

Lucy by Tom Herrington / RockOptika

Timeless Class: Tom Herrington’s fabulous sunglass designs include Lucy, inspired by a photo of his mother taken in 1983…reminiscent of Lady Diana Spencer, Isabelle Rossellini, and simpler times…www.rockoptika.com

Lou from Fiction by l.a. Eyeworks Collection

Glamour with wit: Lou in striking colourations  – called Sno Cone – of lustrous acetate with voluminous shaping from Fiction by l.a. Eyeworks Collection. www.laeyeworks.com

Nia by SALT. Optics

Subtle luxury and nature’s effortless beauty merge harmoniously in SALT. Optics Nia, with uncluttered lines and pure aesthetics. www.saltoptics.com

Zero 13 by Finest Seven

Charm and featherweight chic is characteristic of stunning sunglasses – Zero 13 –  by Finest Seven, in platinum with soft pink mirror lenses. www.finestseven.com

Toni and Mia by Neubau Eyewear

City and seaside – distinctive shapes and materials highlight the trendy, sun wear looks at Neubau Eyewear with Toni (left) and Mia. www.neubau-eyewear.com JG