Print designer Lisa King and Zanzan Eyewear have opened a stunning one stop summer shop in London’s Soho today, just in time for the soaring temperatures in the capital. The selection of specialist independent brands includes exclusive brightly coloured swimwear by Lisa King, handmade sunglasses from Zanzan, jewellery by Jiya, and a selection of travel items and vintage books and magazines. A capsule collection by iconic 80s label Bodymap includes beach separates, tees and totes.
Featured accessory labels: Lisa King Swimwear, Zanzan, Bodymap, July Stars, Conservatory Archives, Alighieri, Jiya, Cosmos by Petra Borner
www.zanzan.co.uk / www.lisakinglondon.com CN
Here comes the Sun!
Sunglasses can manifest a unique mystique. They can be contemporary, cool, mysterious, luxurious, elegant, fun – and quite alluring. As you plan your holiday destinations to sunny climes, Eyestylist presents smart selections to wear with stylish splendour, and provide sun protection for your eyes. Cream and white acetate fashioned into a glamorous design – Rêveur – by Matali Crasset (above) for theo triggers thoughts of sand and sea. The bold shape and beautifully classic colouration is certain to make a memorable impression. Discover more of the exciting theo plus Matali Crasset collection at www.theo.be
Tortoiseshell is a perennial, much-loved favourite for sunglasses, and Pollipo’ from Rome has a lovely interpretation. Style 605 is handcrafted in Italy in sandblasted tortoiseshell and Dalmazia grey acetate. Classically streamlined and chic. www.pollipocchiali.it
The latest, fabulous RIGARDS sun frame – RG0077 – derives much of its inspiration from happy childhood memories of manga, monsters and giant robots. Seductively curvy, artistic finesse is evident with the craftsmanship, detailing and smooth bevels. www.rigards.com
Leopard sunglasses created with fabric designed by Aboriginal artists results in a striking design from a special Limited Edition – only 150 pieces – by Jono Hennessy. The frames are constructed using a technique Jono Hennessy developed with Dr. Regina Rossi at Mazzucchelli over thirty years ago. Dynamic and dramatic! www.jonohennessy.com JG
Titanium by Ørgreen Optics
“Boring is over” The three Danish friends who set up an eyewear brand in the late 1990s in the design capital Copenhagen continue to expand their titanium success story with the support of optical retailers worldwide. Henrik Ørgreen, CEO and Founder and Tobias Wandrup, the creative force behind the brand, met us at the busy Ørgreen store in Copenhagen earlier this year for an update on where the Danish independent eyewear business sees itself today. Photo above: Henrik Ørgreen, Tobias Wandrup and Gregers Fastrup.
“We started with sunglasses. I remember meeting Tobias in the park and planning to set up the first ever sunglass brand to come out of Scandinavia. And then we approached Gregers and there it was. Our first product came out in 1999.”
“The eyewear market has become competitive, complex and more serious. It is to our advantage that we entered the market as a new independent brand over 15 years ago – there were only probably around 5 or 10 brands then that were actually emerging. We have our established design, production and logistics, and customer services and that ensures we can just keep moving forward to produce the best titanium designs in the world….” Henrik Ørgreen
By 2001, the brand moved production to Japan, and with that came the interest in titanium. “At that time we were working in acetate, few people know that! We were really focused on good quality. Today, it’s the same. We have an even higher level of quality and detailing, but that has come because we are more experienced. What we also learnt today is that sometimes you do have to compromise to have the best functionality or the best quality – back then there was no compromise – our first frames were described by our Austrian factory at the time as the most complicated they had ever tried to make.”
Asked to describe the proudest moments so far, Henrik refers to an Ørgreen “classic” with open temple featuring two hinges per temple. He says the concept soon became reproduced by other companies, but the impact of being the innovator of this design ensured that they found their place on the map in terms of innovation and new ideas. “The second turning point was when we did sheet titanium in two-tone colour – where we had two different colours on the inside and outside of the frame. This was an inspired concept that came from looking at car details. We found it was exciting to do really strong colours on the inside, making the frame wearable without being overpowering. We worked closely with our Japanese producers on this; they put in a lot of technical know-how to make this work.” Today the two-tone effects remain a part of the brand’s image.
And the direction in 2016? “We are working with around 15 factories in Japan, each one with their own expertise. But we still have the original guy with us who worked on the innovations I’ve mentioned. We are all really proud about that.” Overall the label continues to respect its roots and its open-minded Danish mentality where simplicity of design is one of the essentials.
“Copenhagen is full of interesting people. We get inspired by people from all around the world who come here and this is important to us and a part of what we have created and continue to use as inspiration. It’s our lifestyle.”
Visit the Ørgreen flagship store at Store Regnegade 1, 1110 København K / www.orgreenoptics.com CN
Sunny forecast – Sunglasses
Sunglasses have all the attributes of an “it” accessory – style, design and unique details. For this spring and summer the sunglass options are abundant. Luxury and glamour are keynote at Anna-Karin Karlsson. The Swedish designer chooses soft aqua acetate and stones for her dramatic, romantic design – Decadence. www.annakarinkarlsson.com
Two-tone styling highlights classy, slim wooden sunglasses by ROLF. Handcrafted in Austria, Zephyr is from the ROLF excellence collection, and features an elaborate, distinctive finish, accentuating the beauty of two woods. www.rolf-spectacles.com
The trending Panto shape captures the imagination of Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei. Leone – with a chic double bridge – is available in a range of beautiful colourations, including Tortoiseshell and white, and a tri-colour mix of royal blue, turquoise and orchid. www.resrei.com
Luminous Jade green acetate with subtle detailing compliments this lovely sunglass design – Movie 2 – by Face à Face Paris. The voluminous, sculpted shape is a confident sun style statement. www.faceaface.com JG
Luxury and Finesse – Silhouette Atelier
Exquisite craftsmanship, flawless materials, and timeless design characterise Silhouette Atelier – the company’s outstanding new luxury collection. Designs include wonderfully crafted frames for men – in titanium and gold – and for women in 18k solid yellow, rose gold or white. Hand-selected diamonds and cabochon-cut gemstones add noble elegance. The frames are a fusion of art and life, and the philosophy of Austrian art nouveau, The Judgendstil. Flowing, graceful lines, impeccable details and traditional goldsmith and stone-setters’ techniques result in luxurious frames with uncompromising quality. (Top image: models wearing Silhouette Atelier at the Milan launch).
Silhouette Atelier G008 (above) expresses contemporary airiness in 18K gold with sixteen diamonds of various sizes – set with superlative precision – adorning the temples.
For men, elegance and luxury are wed with 18K solid gold and titanium. Silhouette Atelier G700 is a distinctive interpretation of timeless design. More on the stunning Silhouette Atelier collection at www.silhouette.com JG