The beauty of the Mediterranean is inspiration for Mondelliani in Rome. The latest collection of sunglasses features sensuous shapes in luscious acetate colours – including No. 53 in Indigo Blue and Pompeii Pink – that is reminiscent of a Mediterranean sunset. Note the chic lifted eyebrow for an additional glamorous accent. www.mondelliani.it JG
Paola Costantini at Pollipo’ is passionate about handcrafted eyewear and accessories. Her sun styles include contemporary designs in elegant forms, and graceful colours. N. 595 in Cool Baby Blue acetate in a flattering sun shape with a distinctive silver nosepiece, is a perfect accent for summer fashions. The beautifully handmade Pollipo’ case is natural leather with a brushed Fuchsia finish. www.pollipocchiali.it JG
1st May 2015 Cologne is the cultural centre of The Rhineland, with numerous and fascinating museums and art galleries. It is also home to an amazing selection of optical shops. Augenweide Optik is an elegant oasis where customers can discover international brands that fosters optical style. “Customers in Cologne love design,” says optician Michael Franzen, “but it must not be loud design; they prefer soft design with no logos. Clients are very reserved and refined, but want the best quality.”
Franzen opened the shop with his business partner Wilfred Wirtz twenty-one years ago, and they have experienced various eyewear evolutions during this time. “We have grown with our customers since we opened, and our clientele is professional men and women who are architects, lawyers, and teachers.” The shop features la crème de la crème of independent labels, including Orgreen, LGR, Lindberg, Götti, Rolf, Face à Face and WOOW, theo, l.a.Eyeworks, and the speciality German brand Wolfgang Katzer. “There are approximately over 300 optical shops in Cologne – I believe it is the most in Europe,” says Franzen, “and the reason for this is probably because there is an excellent School of Optometry here. When students graduate, they want to stay in Cologne, and open their own shop, so the majority of shops are independent.”
Augenweide is one hundred and fifty square meters, so the feeling is delightfully open, airy and welcoming. Beige and cocoa tones, with black floors, and beautiful, warm wood panelling and cabinets further enhance the ambience. Large windows offer the possibility of spacious displays, and during Eyestylist’s visit, the decoration included lavish flower paintings by a local designer, in bright spring colours, along with cheerful flowerpots, and beautiful frames. Discover more at www.augenweide.de JG
1st May 2015 The term “luxury” is a fascinating subject, as it can have many different interpretations, depending on the person. The Victoria and Albert Museum explores the concept of luxury with a new exhibition What is Luxury? Exceptional examples of contemporary design and craftsmanship are featured alongside conceptual projects that interrogate fundamental ideas of luxury, its production and future.
Included in the presentation is an entirely handcrafted mechanical watch – The Second Space Travellers’ Watch – by British watch maker George Daniels. Fashion is represented with a laser-cut couture dress by innovative Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen (top photo), and more than 1000 hand-knitted nylon bubbles create the Bubble Bath necklace by Nora Fok.
The exhibition provokes thinking and debate through fictional scenarios that consider issues like privacy, resources and access that could determine present and future ideas of luxury. With over 100 remarkable objects, What is Luxury? takes visitors on a revealing journey, and prompts them to consider what luxury means and how it relates to their own lives. What is Luxury? a V&A and Crafts Council Exhibition, sponsored by Northacre, is at the V&A through 27 September 2015. www.vam.ac.uk/whatisluxury JG
Photo Credits: Top image: Voltage Dress, Iris van Herpen, 2013 Paris M. Zoeter x Iris van Herpen; Middle photo: The Second Space Travellers Watch George Daniels, 1983 Jasper Gough, Sotheby’s; Bottom photo: Combs, Hair Highway Studio Swine 2014 Studio Swine
1st May 2015 Lens colours and special effects are all the rage. From the palest pastels to classic dark greens and blues and wild and intoxicating mirrors, making a decision on the right lens colour and coating has never been a hotter topic. Eyestylist recommends seeking guidance from an independent optical boutique, where the team will know the latest technology, as well as the fashion styles and lens fittings and how those might suit your complexion, eyes and hair colour.
Gwendoline Radley, dispensing optician and eyewear stylist at Adam Simmonds / Primrose Hill Optometrists (www.adamsimmonds.co.uk) shared some tips with us on how to choose a gorgeous lens design that protects your eyes and highlights your style.
“As last year, this year sees lots of bold mirror colours, flash coatings and, by contras, lots of the more subtle graduated and pastel tints which are mainly there to compliment the frame colour.” (Above: Vuarnet model 002).
“Bold mirrors work very well with neutral colour acetate frames or fine rims such as metal, where the lens is the one doing the talking. This year there is a trend for oversized clear / nude / peach styles, making a blank canvas for the strong lens colour, for instance a flash turquoise lens can look stunning in a fine rim gold or silver metal frame, as equally as it would look stunning in a nude acetate frame.
“The beauty of neutral frame colours means they work with many complexions and outfits and you can go to town with accessorising your lens colour with your favourite bag, lipstick or shoes. There is also an array of bold coloured frames, matching the colour of the lens or producing exciting contrasts.”
Oversized frames apart from being uber stylish also offer greater protection against the suns harmful rays. A fine soft rim with either a baby pink lens or a sky pastel blue lens, both on trend this year, can also work beautifully with either dark or fair complexions.
If a mirror coating is too much, then opt for a dark tinted lens. “Again there is a lot of colour choice,” explains Radley, “but the darkest and most versatile tints are grey, brown, blue and green. The green offers the most traditional look, a green lens in a simple tortoiseshell or nude is the ultimate in cool classic style.”
Lens tints – the checklist
Aim for: 1. 100% UV and CE marked / 2. Which category? General purpose tints range from 0 (lightest) to 3 (darkest) – look for Cat 0-3 / 3. Polarising lenses cut out glare – the reflected light off horizontal surfaces / 4. Choose between full tint (same density through the lens) or graduated tint, usually a very attractive choice for the aesthetic results / 5. Mirror coatings reduce even more of the light transmitting the lens as some light is reflected off it, making the tint appear darker. Mirrors are varying hugely in quality this season; look closely and be sure you are happy with the quality of the finish/colour effect – we love the gold and silver options in particular / 6. Understand the tech features behind the lens: buy your sunglasses from an optical boutique if you want high-quality lenses + high level fashion.