Eyestylist

Mia by neubau eyewear

9th February 2017

Neubau’s contrasting Material Mix collection possesses character and sleek design. Inspired by the mixed materials used in contemporary architecture and fashion, the frames are streamlined and beautifully crafted. The collection includes Mia in tempting Blackberry, combining a gentle upswing on the temple, and a full shape. Neubau was launched last year, and the designs have already attracted international acclaim. Visit www.neubau-eyewear.com for more information on the Material Mix sunglass and optical collection. JG

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Design + Inspiration

100% Optical 2017: luxury, eco and technical trends

8th February 2017

From small first-time exhibitors to highly regarded international designers, the selection of frames at 100% Optical offered an exceptional opportunity to British opticians and international buyers last weekend. New launches by Tavat Eyewear, Gotti Switzerland, Kirk & Kirk, Silhouette, SALT. Optics, MonkeyGlasses and L.G.R, among others, ensured that diverse, fast-paced innovations in eyewear could be fully appreciated.

Tavat Eyewear, from Italy, returns to 100% annually. Pictured above: campaign for Tavat’s forward-thinking SoupCan Collection AW16/17 – a unique “sandwich” frame design with rimrock closing and watch crown mechanism. More details at www.tavat-eyewear.com

Eco directions: Valerie from the neubau collection

neubau eyewear launched several new frames which will be available from April. The designs are created in natural PX, a high quality eco-friendly polymer that is light, flexible and durable. The frames (above, model Valerie) come in delicate natural colours including crystal clear versions and trendy shades of green. www.neubau-eyewear.com

Photo engraved titanium surfaces: model Loven by Blackfin

Italian titanium specialists Blackfin, who have just started to make their mark in the UK, showed their innovative new optical and sunglasses collection. Designs such as model Loven by Blackfin show their achievements in decorative work on super light Japanese titanium. www.blackfin.eu

Independent newcomers: Mouet Eyewear from Valencia, Spain

Mouet Eyewear, created in 2014, exhibited for the first time at 100% in London. Carlos Martin and Fran Penalba, a designer and an architect, have developed a range of artisan acetate designs, made in one of the last remaining traditional frame workshops in Spain. www.moueteyewear.com

Sustainable leather: a new launch by MonkeyGlasses from Denmark

MonkeyGlasses, one of the notable design-focused eco frame brands, based in Denmark, launched a new eyewear collection with colourful sustainable leather coverings. The eight colours are inspired by the Nordic night sky and include silver or gold coated stainless steel with a natural horn/wood look for spectacle temples. www.monkeyglasses.com

The judging of the excellent RCA x 100% eyewear design competition took place during the fair. Congratulations to Becky K. Hong – the overall winner, and all the shortlisted RCA students whose eyewear projects showed innovation, imagination and a detailed understanding of today’s eyewear trends and new directions. 100% Optical takes place from 27th to 29th January 2018. For further details visit www.100percentoptical.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Nonconformist: frame du jour by RIGARDS

3rd February 2017

Expressive, charismatic eyewear is symbolic with Ti Kwa designs. The latest imaginative creation is RIGARDS RG2020. Strong, yet extremely light, the shield construction features a mirror coating, with sleek temples made of beta-titanium. Other distinguishing features include a zero-curve, ultra-thin visor lens fabricated from a single piece of polyamide.

Innovative and cool sophistication: RIGARDS2020

The ultimate, powerful identity is the hand-carved solid horn top bar. Ti Kwa often references history in his designs, and the carved horn represents the infinity symbol. It is also an allusion to the supremely elegant flying buttresses in Gothic architecture. The final pièce de resistance is adjustable half-moon shaped horn nose pads for superior fit and comfort. Ti dedicates this design to devotees of all things bold and bodacious. www.rigards.com JG

Reviews

Quartz Edition by Kirk & Kirk

2nd February 2017

Distinctive and beautiful eyewear in glorious colours has been the hallmark of Jason and Karen Kirk’s collections for twenty-five years. To celebrate the occasion, they have launched the Kaleidoscope Quartz Edition – a bold, elegantly bevelled shape in luminous acrylic that glitters and sparkles. Bridget shimmers softly in Onyx, Amber, Ruby and Sapphire. For more on this anniversary edition, visit www.kirkandkirk.com Warmest congratulations to Jason and Karen on this memorable event! JG

Design + Inspiration

Opti ’17: a look to the future

1st February 2017

Cold temperatures, intense morning fog and a snowy outlook, but whatever the weather, Germany’s Opti fair is always a fresh and friendly start to the eyewear year. A strong mix of technical companies alongside a roster of international eyewear designers and rule-breaking start-ups ensures there is always plenty of innovation and more than a hint of the creative trends on the horizon.

Above: Inspirational eyewear designers – Vue dc Founder, Chris Mascré and Yolande De Clercq, showing chic acetate eyewear designs (below), made in France – www.vuedc.com – Photo by Elisa Biscotti for Eyestylist.com / www.elisabiscotti.de

Intensely chic: KOT by Vue dc in monochrome tones – *photo by Elisa Biscotti*

This year saw new and innovative collection launches from Gotti Switzerland (Rimless Collection), Monoqool Denmark (new Slider Series), Yuniku (vision-centric 3d tailored eyewear by Hoya) and Vava from Berlin (Aluminium Series), among other new releases.

Vava Eyewear: Aluminium Series, introduced at Opti

Vava’s new concept of very light designs in aluminium prioritises highly developed physical and mechanical properties – made in Italy, the frames are created using cutting-edge industrial milling techniques. www.vavaeyewear.com

Falvin Eyewear – model Moonlight / Black Crystal Collection

At Falvin Eyewear, A Danish-born brand, the combination of technical precision with luxury has achieved excellent success with optical boutiques and the brand concept evolves with new precious platings of Palladium and 24 carat gold. www.falvineyewear.com

Aris Rubio with Alex Carrasco – LOOL Eyewear from Barcelona – *photo by Elisa Biscotti*

LOOL Eyewear won the first ever Blogger Spectacle Award, part of a new enterprising Opti initiative that puts emerging labels under the spotlight, by introducing them to an audience of fashion and eyewear bloggers who then cast a vote for their favourite concept. LOOL, a start-up from Barcelona by Aris Rubio, co-founder and Alex Carrasco, marketing director, has achieved immediate recognition from the optical and fashion industries for its design excellence and innovative patented hinge system. www.looleyewear.com

The Grid / Surface – by LOOL Eyewear – *photo by Elisa Biscotti*

Opti 2018 takes place on 12th to 14th January next year. More releases from the Opti fair will appear on Eyestylist.com in the weeks ahead. For further information on the programme of events, visit: www.opti.de CN

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Eyestylist

Mia by neubau eyewear

100% Optical 2017: luxury, eco and technical trends

Nonconformist: frame du jour by RIGARDS

Quartz Edition by Kirk & Kirk

Opti ’17: a look to the future