The exclusive London eyewear event, the LONDONi, which presents niche and luxury eyewear brands at a gallery showroom in Percy Street, Fitzrovia, returns for UK fashion buyers and independent optical retailers
Organised by Chapman Agency and founder Francesca Chapman, The LONDONi has paved the way for a bi-annual luxury eyewear show focusing on independent eyewear brands exclusively. With a background in fashion, Chapman launched the event for the first time in 2023 with the aim of creating a meeting point for opticians and exclusive eyewear brands.
For the 6th edition, the event will take place on 14th and 15th September 2025, welcoming more than 15 exhibiting brands, including London’s very own Cutler and Gross, Lazare Studio from France and AKONI from Switzerland. (A full list of brands showing at the event can be found at the end of this article).
Already flourishing, the event highlights that small, intimate shows of this kind remain desirable among the UK optical community. Francesca Chapman told Eyestylist: “The LONDONi was born from a vision to redefine how we experience luxury eyewear, a space that’s intimate yet vibrant, where independent agents and brands come together not just to showcase products, but to inspire each other – and build a true community – it’s a connection that’s been missing from the UK until now.” Above: the facade of the venue in Fitzrovia in central London
Chapman also confirmed that the event will continue to take place twice a year in March and September and that bookings for the March 2026 event will open in early autumn.
Exhibitors at the LONDONi in September include: AKN Group, Balmain, Cazal, Cutler and Gross, District Vision, Hoffmann Natural Eyewear, HUG Spectacles, Lazare Studio, Maybach, NIKON, Orgreen Optics, PRESS Eyewear, Sestini, The Great Frog, VALENTINO and Yellows Plus. Find out more about The LONDONi @the_londoni
French eyewear brand J.F. Rey: an iconic frame reimagined
The French eyewear brand J.F. Rey has released their latest LAYERS collection as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations – the collection revisits an icon by the brand
Iconic, statement-making, and ever colourful. The new JF2062 glasses in the LAYERS collection is a J.F. Rey icon that boldly reappears in fresh colours and with a new stainless steel and acetate construction – designed, says the creative team, “to offer greater strength and support”. The round and square eye shape is a signature edition from the French label, appearing frequently through the collection and often cited for its impressive and unexpected yet wearable look. Above: revisiting a favourite iconic design style at J.F. Rey, in the LAYERS collection – pictured in a multicoloured checkered acetate with dark brown metal temples
The colour choices this time round in the new combo are fun and dazzling. Choose from four different variations, all patterned and ranging from a blue and white miniature checkered design with bright green temples to a lovely mottled blue with a transparent effect paired with chestnut brown temples. Find out more about LAYERS at https://www.jfrey.fr/en/collection-layers/
Silmo Paris 2025: Optical Design Contest
The Silmo Paris show organisers have revealed the finalists for 2025
The organisers of Silmo Paris have announced the names of the shortlisted finalists in this year’s ‘Optical Design Contest’, an initiative to promote future talent in the optical industry. This year the theme of the competition is “Superhero glasses”, a topic that has sparked creative ideas with diverse aesthetics. This subject aims to highlight the potential for eyewear to as more than a simple accessory.
Indeed, this year, the design contest is directed by Michel Penneman, a renowned international designer and interior architect. The 20205 winner will be announced during the 2025 event in September. Above: Aestral by Louis Sence (Nantes Atlantique School of Design, France) – Aestral is described as visor glasses inspired by the Silver Surfer. The fluid, organic design evokes speed, wind and solitude.
Furthermore, the shortlist includes 10 designs: Aestral by Louis Sence; Bonewave by Mattéo Muzelet-Guédon’; Eco by Beatriz Delcole Belonsi, Gyovanna Marraya de Paula Castoriano, Júlia Fernandes Nascimento, Lucca José Lauro, Kallany Leandrini Paulos; Gaia by Hélène Caffin-Pinon; Loveyes by Camille Jourden; Lunettes de Vision Emotionnelle by Quentin Boudier; Neon by Brice Lebeul and Sentinelle+ by Barthélémy Camoesas; the Inuit Glasses by Yasmin Kaufman and the Sensory Glasses by Gaia Malantuono.
Bonewave, pictured above, is described as a bone conduction sports product that allow users to listen without blocking their hearing. The concept is designed for athletes, combining safety, functionality and performance.
To find out more about Silmo Paris and the latest news from the show ahead of September, visit the link, https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/09/trending-in-eyewear/
Gorpcore 2025: what’s the eyewear look?
Still influential, gorpcore requires a certain look in eyewear, a balanced blend of functionality and styling with edge – these independent brands are delivering the perfect aesthetic with style, functional purpose, quality materials and performance
Which are the best gorpcore looks by independent brands? It’s a question we’ve been asked several times in the last few weeks, and one we can now answer with several good recommendations. Gorpcore, which has also prompted a surge in vintage Oakley’s from the 1990s and Y2K which we’ve observed in high-end vintage outlets in London, is a fashion trend that keeps on evolving, requiring a utilitarian style of eyewear with sports performance features, characteristics which make the glasses wearable for everyday but also technically sound. With shapes that are typically unisex, and inspired by earlier decades, including retro aviator, rimless shields and wraparound shapes, the styles also pay attention to particular details, fit and fine-quality materials to ensure a wearer experience that is really first class. Above: Ciele x Article One: Article One and leading performance-running brand, Ciele Athletics debuted the sophomore edition of the Article One x Ciele GTGlass performance sunglasses, an award-winning, collaborative frame launched in 2020. Earning several accolades for the technical design, including Runner’s World Gear of the Year, the two brands joined forces again for the GT Glass 2.0 pictured, which boasts a refreshed, distinctly vintage shape, performance material updates, and new colour and pattern variations – www.articleoneeyewear.com
Article One also teamed up with César Villalba, a creative designer and elite endurance athlete, to debut performance sunglasses crafted to counter traditional styles of eyewear in competitive fields. With flames emblazoned along the sides and a youthful, rectangular shape, the Article One x César Villalba frames rebuff the repetitive shapes and colours of technical frames that athletes are accustomed to, the designers say. The distinctive details and bespoke hues – including the lens tones – are inspired by Villalba’s relentless energy towards particular passions – racing and creative directing for global fashion brands. www.articleoneeyewear.com
Built for the mountains, the Glacier Optics’ Pierredar shield represents a good example of technical, functional eyewear – designed specifically for high altitude, with an original design, fantastic colour choices which are perfectly aligned with contemporary technical apparel – including olive, gold and brick, and high-tech performance lenses by Zeiss. The small label, which is based in Switzerland has a growing following in the sports world for its technical focus and sustainable production which takes place locally in the Alps. www.glacieroptics.com
For a raw, utility style, with focus on artisanal craftsmanship and the unusual features such as the hand-hammered finish, the Kuboraum Mask H30 remains one of our go-to styles for those who seek a wraparound with a truly unique design style. Introduced by Kuboraum at the end of 2024, this piece is offered in different variations – including an aqua green colour and a matt black with striking light yellow lens tint. www.kuboraum.com
Retrosuperfuture’s black Pharaoh sunglasses offer a shield-style frame in lightweight nylon – a shape that is very well aligned with this trend while also offering a timeless everyday aesthetic. The model was released as part of the RSF Space Shields collection and perfectly embodies the 90s influences in fashion; the inspiration is also channelled from space age influences in design as well as cosmic jazz. The functional wraparound shape – always a very comfortable choice – and minimal design style lend themselves perfectly in combination with performance gear with a fashion edge. www.retrosuperfuture.com
Colour trends: RES/REI
Appealing colour combinations characterise the current collection of frames by the independent eyewear label, RES/REI
Best independent eyewear trends: Colour is a carefully studied expressive trait in the eyewear collections by Italian label RES/REI, where the blending of two or even three individual hues enlivens the structure of the frame, with vibrancy and distinguished subtlety and elegance. RES/REI works exclusively with Mazzucchelli, the highly regarded Italian acetate producer, often creating custom colours for their eyewear to preserve a subtle artisan finish and unique variety of exquisite designs. Above: model Orion by RES/REI – part of the Sculptures collection, a range of frames characterised by 3-dimensional layered acetates
Best independent eyewear trends: The current collection includes styles like Orion, where the attractive square eye shape is brought to life in six brightly toned variations. From a black and green layered tonal pairing to a dramatic purple / grey gradient effect (above), these colour combinations are developed by experts over time, with consideration for the light effects created and the interplay of light and dark tones on the wearer’s face. In the variation pictured above, the purple / grey colour of the front of the frame is combined with a deep jewel-like tone of emerald blue.
Model Master by RES/REI is part of the company’s Gentlemen collection conceived with sophisticated shapes and rich details. The style is also offered in multiple colour variations including a black with brown havana, a gradient blue havana and an intense slate blue with natural dark brown temples (pictured above). These colours focus on a contemporary theme, offering style and individuality in the aesthetic for the discerning modern male.
Founded in 2012, RES/REI has developed a reputation for its fine aesthetics, creative colour palette and sculpted forms in eyewear. See the full collection of eyewear and sunglasses at www.resrei.com