Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 8th March 2017

Colour and design at Copenhagen Specs

Energetic colour and new chic designs with consistent attention to the small details: the mood at Copenhagen Specs this weekend was upbeat and friendly as designers from Scandinavia and further afield brought new ideas for 2017. The fair showed its commitment to independent labels, and attracted more than 80 companies and a wide range of frame styles from Scandinavian innovators through to small start-ups from Italy (Viveur), Poland (Love Belford), Spain (Paper & Paper) and France (Plein Les Mirettes /PLM).

The Italian titanium specialists Blackfin showed their new collection featured in the 2017 campaign: Sky’s The Limit. The brand currently offers an eclectic mix of titanium styles including trend-focused thicker rims such as model Montego Bay (above). Further details: www.blackfin.eu

Diva by Plein les Mirettes PLM

Plein Les Mirettes showed their colourful acetate range for women for the first time in Denmark. The uniquely crafted glamorous shapes have a bright energetic elegance and are made in Normandy in a prestigious traditional eyewear factory. Model Diva brings the camouflage trend into eyewear in a playful and elegant interpretation for the face. www.plein-les-mirettes.fr.

Brad by Viveur Sunglasses

Italian start-up Viveur Sunglasses by Carlo Opice showed a metal collection produced in the Veneto. The frames revisit vintage styling but bring a modern “street style” to the look, creating a line that is youthful and wearable. Very narrow proportions and the variety of nice classic lens colours in the metal sunglasses line are on trend for the SS17 season. More details at www.viveursunglasses.com

Nia by Salt. Optics

Alongside bright primary colours, neutral eyewear tones are evolving in new ways. Model Nia by Salt. Optics has a thin profiled shape, the narrowest of temples and custom detailing. Nia comes in a super Oyster Grey / Black Sand combination with “Lovers Soul” gradient lenses. More details on the new entries presented by Salt. Optics at www.saltoptics.com

Fuchs by Fleye Copenhagen

Lightness, technical know-how and an innovative take on materials are instantly noticeable in the Fleye collection, presented to us by co-founder Hanne Andersen at the show. Once again, the trend for extremely narrow proportions is beautifully played out in special ways with the addition of touches of colour and finely textured finishes in high-tech carbon fibre. www.fleye.dk

Copenhagen Specs returns to the same venue in 2018 from 3-4th March: for more details about the fair visit www.copenhagenspecs.dk CN

| Eyestylist 7th March 2017

L.G.R Pop up boutique in Milan

Family, friends and devoted fans of gorgeous L.G.R. eyewear celebrated the opening of the charming boutique in Milan (top image – a jubilant Luca Gnecchi Ruscone). The pop-up store displays the wonderful variety of L.G.R designs, along with his latest collections – the elegant Capri; history inspired Mimetic frames; and the supremely luxurious L.G.R Gold Edition. Luca Gnecchi Ruscone’s dedication to artisan eyewear is evident in the exceptional craftsmanship and precise detailing in each frame.

Luca Gnecchi Ruscone with his mother Emma Bini, at L.G.R pop up boutique opening in Milan

Located on Milan’s trendy Corso Garibaldi, the cosy boutique features both optical and sunglass designs created by the Rome-based designer. The boutique is open through 25th April. www.lgrworld.com JG

| Eyestylist 3rd March 2017

Roadster by JF Rey

Roadster is a striking design from the JF Rey 1985 Collection that unites past, present and future with its stylish look. The frame is a reedit from a women’s design that Jean-François created in the 1980’s. Faithfully preserving the original concept, Roadster is re-crafted for the 21st century with high tech elements and materials. The vintage shape is highlighted with flat blue mirror lenses. Sophisticated and unique! www.jfrey.fr JG

| Eyestylist 2nd March 2017

Destination Denmark!

It can snow in Denmark in March but a chilly climate never changes the warm Danish welcome! The friendly, fast-growing Scandinavian eyewear fair Copenhagen Specs approaches this weekend and promises eclectic frame style from international brands setting an energetic outlook for Spring/Summer.

Exhibitors include Copenhagen’s very own Ørgreen Optics with their new collection dazzling in a SS17 campaign (above) about colour confidence…bolds, neons, and rich and vibrant tonal contrasts. www.orgreenoptics.com

Seymour by Claire Goldsmith – in bottle green

Ørgreen’s British partner Claire Goldsmith will have her team present to show both the eponymous collection of sun and optical frames as well as the renowned Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses collection. There are a few extra special colour surprises including a limited edition of the classy Manhattan in soft summery gelato tones. www.clairegoldsmith.com

Explorer by Silhouette Eyewear

The ‘Explorer’ model by Silhouette Eyewear will be among the new finds at the Austrian company’s stand during the fair. This minimal, chic design perfectly reflects the flair of the 1950s, with unusual colour gradients such as orange with blue and glossy purple. The lens-in-lens technology creates the perception of a rim while offering the advantage of being very light and comfortable. More information at www.silhouetteeyewear.com

Fine features at MONOQOOL

Monoqool’s 3D printed collection, produced in Denmark, will also be a highlight at the fair. The collection is on point with very fine profiles that are lightweight and aesthetically striking – look for the new Slider Series – described as “the thinnest 3D printed glasses in the world.”

Copenhagen Specs takes place from 4th-5th March 2017 at Lokomotivvaerkstedet. More details and a full list of exhibitors is available at www.copenhagenspecs.dk CN

| Eyestylist 28th February 2017

Birgitte Falvin, Falvin Eyewear, Denmark

Our eyewear world is full of inspirational and passionate women. Designer Birgitte Falvin from Denmark is relatively new to, starting her career in jewellery. “Jewellery has been my playground from the early days, I have worked with many different aspects of the creative process in jewellery.  In the beginning, while I was still studying surface design, I was creating handmade pieces that were sold in independent fashion boutiques in Florence and Copenhagen. The collection had a couture feel, and the statement pieces were eco-friendly. I used a mix of materials, such as vintage pearls, gold wire and couture yarn. I was very interested in surface design and fashion jewellery, and was happy to discover that the department for surface design at the Designskolen Kolding (where I was studying) had a similar approach to the design process as the Institut for Ædelmetal – the design department for jewellery design in Copenhagen.”

Falvin bestseller in rose gold and aubergine

Birgitte launched her first eyewear collection in September 2015, and today she is working exclusively on luxurious titanium designs. “Titanium is a lightweight material making it the perfect choice for fashionable, oversized frames. Falvin´s frames often get compliments for their comfortable fit. I find the clean look of titanium interesting, and I like to soften the design with matte and shiny precious lines of rose gold, palladium and 24 carat gold.”

Classic luxury at Falvin Eyewear

Today, the collection makes a feature of luxury diamonds, beautiful hand cut lens details and unexpected colour mixes. The frames combine an aesthetic attitude with the edginess of Nordic architecture, optimizing the genius of Danish and Japanese craftsmanship. “As a designer, I always look forward to the development of new collections. There are so many possibilities and materials to explore. It is exciting to watch the the brand grow and expand.”

The Royal Black Diamond, Copenhagen

Architecture remains a source of design inspiration for every detail, as it did when the brand first launched. Birgitte explains: “At the beginning, my husband and I walked around Copenhagen, seeking a strong source of inspiration for an elegant eyewear concept. The Royal Danish Library, the iconic modern library building was the perfect inspiration for a collection that represented a blend of contemporary elegance and a cool aesthetic attitude, strongly infused with Nordic references.”
Copenhagen’s iconic Black Diamond houses the Royal Danish Library. “Its irregular angles fascinated me. When the light reflects off the building’s granite-clad surfaces, magic happens. The Falvin team visited the building many times at different hours to see the changing light and colours and to study the building inside and out. We took a lot of photographs, enjoying the asymmetrical design and the beautiful colour palette.”
Today, all Falvin´s frames are based on this concept, and the graphic references are paired with matte and shiny yellow gold, rose gold and palladium details. Frames can be customised with sparkling Wesselton diamonds that recall the glittering surface of the water that surrounds the Black Diamond. Falvin Eyewear will exhibit at Copenhagen Specs this weekend. More details: www.falvineyewear.com CN