Vintage echoes are reflected in this superbly crafted optical design by Coppe & Sid. Santiago features 24K gold plating with nose pads in original bohemian crystal glass. The shape hints of the 1950’s, and the end-tips are in biodegradable acetate…uniting retro and modern. Designed and made in Italy, the Coppe & Sid 1950 Vintage Gold Plated Collection is available in four different shapes, and also plated Palladium. www.eyedesignclub.com JG
Beautiful accessories can enliven the spirit as well as the wardrobe. With the arrival of spring and summer activities on the horizon, Eyestylist presents accessory ideas from leisurely to luxurious. Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at L.G.R brings his formidable talents to a new métier – a distinguished weekender bag. With the magic and mystery of Africa so much a part of Luca’s eyewear creations, the legendary Muthalga Country Club in Nairobi, Kenya inspired this illustrious Safari Bag. The bags are totally handcrafted in Italy, constructed in leather and canvas – the materials selected because they are able to bear the extreme heat, humidity and sandstorms of an African Safari. The canvas exterior is protected from water splashes, and instead of zippers – that would clog in sandy, salty conditions – Luca opted for a 3mm thick leather flap that will stand up to rainy days and age beautifully with time. Ultra-chic for a weekend adventure! www.lgrworld.com
Espadrilles are a summer tradition, and Manebi handcrafts in Spain comfy shoes for beach wear to glamorous holiday parties. Quality fabrics – solid colours, prints and stripes – and leather from European resources are used to create classic espadrilles, as well as wedge and flat sandals. Manebi is in a Blue Mood (above) this summer – from soft tones to deep blue sea. To view more stylish espadrilles, click on www.manebi.eu
A Plinio Visona’ bag was a great Eyestylist discovery in Vienna, and a subsequent visit to the chic Milan boutique revealed an Italian collection with elegance, originality, innovation and beauty. Italian craftsmanship is the core of Plinio Visona’; the bags are handmade in the company’s artisan workshop in Vicenza. The latest collection includes intricately woven leather creations – including Arianna (above) in beautiful colours. The selection includes bags for daywear and evening. More details at www.pliniovisona.it
When the sun sets, even summer evenings can foster a chill. Keep cosy with a comfortable, beautifully hand-woven lap robe accented with leather trim (above). Created by Countess von Eckermann, a Swedish brand producing interior design and accessory products, the luxurious materials are environmentally friendly and exclusive to the company. Focused on sustainability and made locally in Sweden, the products are created with heritage and tradition. More news at www.countessvoneckermann.com JG
An intriguing exhibition – featuring a group of Contemporary Artists – opens Friday 1st April in New York City in trendy TriBeCa. Painting, sculpture, and installations will feature in the event, with contributions by individualistic, international artists. The cultural diversity of the participants brings fresh, original perspective to each presentation. The event is held in collaboration with shhhim (www.shhhim.com) which encourages and supports artists in promoting their work. Mixed-media artist and sculptor Constance Chabieres has been involved with art programmes for UNICEF in Asia and Africa. Her work is inspired by nature, colour, light, street style and people on the streets. Movement and rhythm highlight her creations, including the bronze sculpture above. www.chabrieres.net
Swedish/Lebanese Sara Badr Schmidt is presenting a work that she began ten years ago and continues “as a work in progress”, says the Paris-based artist. The concept is to show the limits of borders, but also the enrichment that different cultures compound. Borderless – the title of the installation project – are photos printed on canvas and mounted on light boxes, with some enhanced by a sound track. www.sarabadrschmidt.com
Among other artists exhibiting are Jerry Atkins, Sami Basbous, Rafik Majzoub and Brett Wallace. The exhibition continues through 18th April at 481 Washington Street, New York City 10013. Tel: +1 917 621 63 89. JG
Rule-breaking continues to add flavour across the catwalks; some say the appeal of the obscure and the fantastical is very much a part of a new mood of individualism. Popping out of this new wave, the ‘Spectacles en Fourrures’ are a study in unusual pairings, produced in a collaboration between Soho Bespoke and couture fur house, Corbin Paris – www.corbinparis.com – and inspired by surrealist artist Meret Oppenheim’s Dejeuner en Fourrure (MoMA NYC) and Picasso’s love of all things fur trimmed.
Handmade in England, the design is available as a bespoke piece to order via Soho Bespoke’s Charlie Ingham, in a choice of exclusive materials including black Orylag. Ingham, who gave Eyestylist a preview of the new design at the Century Club last week, is the founder of London’s exclusive made-to-measure eyewear service – www.SohoBespoke.co.uk – producing handmade rare acetate and buffalo horn designs using traditional spectacle-making techniques.
For more information and to view the Soho Bespoke film about their British artisan production, visit www.SohoBespoke.co.uk CN
Creative liberty, technical expertise, beautiful materials and luscious colours feature prodigiously in eyewear collections. Shapes vary from moderate to voluminous – further enhancing sunglasses. Blackfin’s S/S collection features clean, sculpted silhouettes, as seen in the above photo. The man wears Blackfin’s Weston BF760 in titanium with gold-mirrored lenses. Panto shaping highlights the women’s frames – Waterhouse BF743. The all-Italian production ensures the finest quality. Discover more from Blackfin at www.blackfin.eu
Brilliant, bouncy and bold – Smoke x Mirrors unites layered acetates and stainless steel with a fun sunglass collection – Soda Pop. Vibrant colours and chic neutrals – such as the black and white sunglasses above – bring an alluring dimension to summer fashions. Additional details about Soda Pop at www.smokexmirrors.com
Panto shaping – an eyewear highlight for Spring/Summer is elegantly expressed by Sven Götti at Götti Switzerland. Dan (above) delicately combines retro and modern contemporary styling in ultra-light titanium with flat lenses – sleek, stunning and streamlined. See all the Götti collection news at www.gotti.ch
California based eyewear brand SALT. has been shortlisted from the Opticians Award 2016 for TAFT (above) as Best Frame of the Year. Handcrafted in Japan, the double-bridge brings additional distinction to a design with flair, beauty and harmony. www.saltoptics.com
Originality and savoir-faire comprise designs by Christian Mascré and Yolande de Clerq. Retro vibrations, extraordinary production – all crafted in France – bring glamour and excellence to the frames. The frame front in Eva in vanilla acetate (above) is artfully shaped and looks fabulous on the face…also available in other great colours. www.vuedc.fr JG