Eyestylist

25th September 2015 This morning the curtain rises for the 2015 edition of SILMO in Paris at Villepinte, featuring an exhilarating roster of eyewear brands from international companies. The new Excellence Collection by ROLF Spectacles in Austria (above) features elegant, classic designs with grace, lightness and creativity. ROLF has elevated their superb craftsmanship to towering heights, with engraved wood eyewear frames, plus two-tone styles that emphasise elaborate details and precise, beautiful finishes. The Excellence Collection includes fourteen new designs, in seven different woods, and four different wood and stone combinations. www.rolf-spectacles.com

HAPTER in Italy presents a Special Edition of their acclaimed Trench Goggle – Mod. M100. The latest design is so far the most advanced interpretation of the frame and manufacturing technique achieved by the HAPTER team. They reflected on how life might have been 100 years ago (M100) to envision the perfect protection tool for World War 1 soldiers in the mountain trenches. The environment for the soldiers was terrifying and demanding, and the M100 – Trench Goggle – was conceived as the would-have-been perfect helmet appendix, for function, protection and mental relief. M100 Trench Goggle is the new vanguard of the HAPTER Icons Line, created for today’s adventurous and courageous explorers. www.hapter.it  SILMO information at www.silmoparis.fr JG

Debut at SILMO

24th September 2015 All roads lead to Paris this weekend with the opening of SILMO 2015. International eyewear designers exhibiting include Susanne Klemm, the Netherlands based creator of the dynamic Suzy Glam collection. Klemm is in an accelerated mood with her racy “Drives Fast Cars” frame in burnt orange acetate. With its sharp angles and dramatic brow line, the frame is an exciting testament of eyewear opportunities. www.suzyglam.com Photo: Aisha Zeijpveld

At l.a. Eyeworks, tiers of patterned, solid and transparent acetates have been calibrated precisely to form a complex blueprint of strategic sculpting. The result is a harmonious multi-layered chromatic essay – as seen in Arden – with three dimensions. Gorgeous colours too – Fire on Red/Brown Streak (above) and joyous Sunrise Haze Streak. www.laeyeworks.com

Coppe & Sid announce their collaboration with the Italian outerwear company Parajumpers, to launch a collection of free-spirited sunglasses. The Liberator features a sleek double bridge in dark Havana acetate, with contrasting metal trim in Antique Bronze. There are five different styles — all crafted in Italy – in smart colourations. More info at www.eyedesignclub.com  SILMO details at www.silmoparis.com JG

The new glamour

Feminine eyewear shapes with classic characteristics and curving forms are one of our current obsessions. Fine eyewear collections do these beautiful shapes justice with modern design details and colourful proposals that define a new glamour for women.

Jones from luxury fashion brand Roland Mouret is one of the new styles launching at the Paris fair this week. Mouret has created his own line of eyewear in house, and in doing so has achieved a very high level of quality, individuality and design. A noteworthy metal temple hinge is one of the unique hallmarks that distinguishes the designs. The addition of the slender metal bridge on this particular style is elegant and on-trend for SS16. Colours include transparent red (above), grey, yellow tortoiseshell and black.  www.rolandmouret.com

A minimal yet super glam direction is also evident at Danish design house Ørgreen. Their new style Sweet Dreams is ultra feminine, with a curved top line, rounded lower line, elegant bridge, and temples that hide behind the frames. www.orgreenoptics.com

American luxury eyewear brand Salt Optics has wowed us with its new styles and colours. Model Houston is a super example in Sandy Sea Green acetate with Antique Gold temples, in smooth beta titanium. The pared-back rounded front strikes a stylish modern chord in this super bold colourway with contrasting brown gradient polarised lens. www.saltoptics.com

Silmo Paris takes place from 25th to 28th September 2015 at Paris Nord Villepinte. For details and registration visit www.silmoparis.com CN

A new launch for Tom Herrington

Five years on and independent British label RockOptika is flourishing.  HQ is a converted high street bank – complete with original safe – situated by the seaside, with an extensive selection of British eyewear, including RockOptika’s very own new ultra luxe handcrafted collection.

The new line is fresh, confident and big on artisan detail. “Made in a leading traditional factory in the Jura, each frame front is carved from one piece, including the nosepads,” says Tom. “An integrated gold metal T.H. logo under resin appears on the front and bespoke dual colour schemes are perfectly matched. The bridges have been machined; chamfering along the sides adds a distinctive touch of luxury.”

With 21 styles in total in the full collection, the 6 new Art Deco inspired styles include a statement round shape with a flattened top, inspired by a pair of small French vintage spectacles, several bold glossy acetate rectangles, and a hard edged vintage look supra (half-eye in the style of the Kray twins), all named after stars.

The new models are presented in a sturdy paper case and embossed presentation box and all are suitable for sun or ophthalmic lenses. The collection launched this weekend at a new flagship eyewear store by Nelson’s Eye Patch, Norfolk, UK, www.nelsonseyepatch.com. Further details at www.rockoptika.com CN