The magnificent landscape of the Australian Outback is keynote in the latest frame selections by Jono Hennessy. Outback Stripes draws on nature’s fabulous colourations, then translated into beautifully crafted Mazzacchelli acetate with flattering stripes. Style 8385 is part of the stunning collection that Jono Hennessy will present at SILMO in Paris. www.jonohennessy.com JG
Like so many positive attributes that are formed in life, the foundation begins in childhood. For youngsters who need corrective eye care, wearing frames is now an exciting adventure – even kids who don’t require frames want to wear them. This decisive attitude is the result of designers creating eyewear that has mega-appeal to youngsters – and their parents. Styles for the autumn season include Montreal (above) an enduring favourite frame for children from Red Kids Optical. In tortoiseshell acetate, the design provides a grown-up look with vintage reflections, scaled to fit little faces. More charming styles for youngsters from the Dutch label at www.redoptical.com
Multiple award winning Danish brand LINDBERG creates frames for children that are famed for style, flexibility, durability and superb colourations, plus being crafted in hypoallergenic material. Marion is a neat little shape with a curved nose bridge, very sleek temple detailing, and heaps of fashion cred that kids will love. www.lindberg.com
Bright, fun and cheerful! Frames by Zoobug are celebrated for their wonderful colours, super shapes, and materials combine safety features and style. ZB1010 is a unisex design for children in TR90 – the Swiss material that is lightweight, yet strong and durable. Discover more exciting styles for babies to twelve-year-olds from the British brand at www.zoobug.com
Babies and toddlers often need spectacles too – and Lafont Paris has a long and respected history for creating frames that cater to kid’s needs. Expertise, excellence, and experience merge to create frames for little ones that are safe, flexible, and in shapes and colours that appeal to children. Toupie in rose pink features an oval shape, and charming printed temple details. www.lafont.com
Cool and inspiring confidence, this youngster expresses his stylistic signature in JF Rey design Anthony, for boys six-to-eight years old. Original shaping in quality acetate ensures comfort and durability from the innovative French label. Discover more trendy frames for children from four-to-sixteen-years old at www.jfrey.fr JG
Orgreen’s optical collection offers a multitude of beautiful frame choices. The Danish label has a glittering array of designs in evocative colours, and streamlined shapes, in ultra-light yet super sturdy Titanium. An elegant, rich blue tone characterises Blush, with a touch of retro in the subtle cat-eye shape. www.orgreenoptics.com JG
A chance visit to the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts – The MAK – produced an unexpected and delightful surprise – a retrospective on Austrian eyewear designer Robert La Roche. From the early 1970’s to the turn of the century, the Vienna-born designer captivated the international fashion, film and eyewear world with his pioneering designs. Robert La Roche: Personal View effectively displays the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and creativity of his eyewear, with the unique colourations, shapes and textures that heralded a new direction in frame design.
In addition to hundreds of La Roche frames on display, design drawings, advertisements, magazine editorials and photographs are also included in the exhibit. Marketing was a forte of Robert La Roche, and some of his campaigns are now as legendary as the glasses themselves.
Another highlight was a series of talks and forums open to the public at the MAK. Participants in one event included Christian Wolf from ROLF Spectacles in The Tyrol. Christian and Christoph Egger from Gloryfy spoke on a panel with La Roche, and gave Austrian insight into creating eyewear in today’s marketplace. Christian commented: “It was an honour to be invited to have a discussion with Robert himself, an icon regarding eyewear design and distribution – not only in Austria. The discussion was very interesting as we sell different markets, the marketing is different, and we had a lot to share. There was also an eyewear show with designers from a Vienna school. For me, as marketing manager of ROLF, the exhibition is great because of his advertising campaigns; the collaborations with his work are inspiring. It was a great chance to get tips and tricks from Robert! For all eyewear addicts, I highly recommend this exhibition.”
On the occasion of the exhibition, La Roche commented: “I’d say I’ve had the pleasure of making four million customers not only see better, but also look better…it’s how I sum up my life’s work. Everyone of those frames bears my name, as well as the word ‘Vienne’ – a little reference to the city of their origin, a metropolis of creativity, culture and design.” Robert La Roche: Personal View continues at the MAK through 24th September. If readers are fortunate to visit Vienna and the MAK, you can also enjoy the enchanting Fashion Utopias: Haute Couture in the Graphic Arts. This is a charming collection of graphic artworks from the late 15th Century to the 1930’s. Haute Couture existed long before the 20th Century! More details on both exhibitions at www.MAK.at www.rolf-spectacles.com JG
Photo: top image Robert La Roche sunglasses model S-49 Photo Gerhard Heller, ca. 1976
Gone are the days when neutral colours meant traditional hues, and may have lacked distinction or notable fashion assets. Nowadays, relaxed, flexible style guidelines enable a wide variety of colours to be classified as “neutral.” For spectacle wearers this is an opportunity to experiment with some delicious “new neutrals” to transform your autumn fashion aura – with stylish eloquence.
An exotic shape – in a splendid shade called Tea Camo (above) – distinguishes Innski, with its exaggerated round form by l.a. Eyeworks. Handcrafted in Italy, the acetate design claims its own distinctive, desirable eyewear personality! www.laeyeworks.com
Kirsten and Lars Iversen believe in positive contributions to society. For each Karmoie frame sold, the Norwegian based design duo donate a pair of corrective glasses to developing countries. Their graceful eyewear designs include Nucleus in kelp acetate with contrasting kelp/oak temples. www.karmoie.com
Nature’s natural beauty crystallises the inspiration for SALT. Optics designs by Californian David Rose. Lorna is from the latest collection that will be featured at SILMO next month. The refined contrast between the oyster frame, and inner temple colouration, enhance this elegant design. www.saltoptics.com
Crystal frames are a flashback to vintage and the newest interpretations are a striking unification of contemporary and retro. The Austrian label Neubau includes Georg model number T008, with sheer transparency and streamlined features. www.neubau-eyewear.com JG