Eyestylist

Connoisseur’s Corner

1st April 2015

Luxurious, Sophisticated Frames

1st April 2015 Nowadays, the fine art of eyewear is admirably manifested in distinguished materials with impressive design. Get set for spring and summer with LINDBERG’S distinctive collection of beautiful sunglasses, with many innovative details. Light, flexible, comfortable and durable Titanium is dramatically sculpted into style 8307 (above) – a stunning style statement from LINDBERG Sun. www.lindberg.com

Angel Diane by Tim Van Steenbergen for theo

Fashion and costume designer Tim Van Steenbergen is inspired by “la femme fatale” – film noir from Hollywood Classics – with his sunglass collection for theo in Belgium. Angel Diane celebrates the film Angel Face, the 1950’s film directed by Otto Preminger. Big, glamorous and colourful, Angel Diane combines glossy acetate with matte details in rich, vivid green. www.theo.be

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LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

Titan One - Winner of the Red Dot Award — Titan One – Winner of the Red Dot Award

Silhouette has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for their innovative frames – Titan One – crafted from one-piece of Titanium. The frames have been described as ‘State of the Art’ and ‘An impressive piece of design engineering.’ The Titan One is crafted in Austria, and the design was praised for its combination of quality materials, exemplary aesthetic design, and hand-finished precision. The Titan One masterpiece involves 170 steps to create the unique design. Above: Style 4481. www.silhouette.com JG

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Vera Wang

1st April 2015

Vera Wang creations are the epitome of chic and contemporary fashion. The celebrated designer dresses an international clientele of sophisticated women who appreciate her understated styling in beautiful fabrics. Frames are also a passion for Vera Wang, and in an exclusive interview with Eyestylist, she shares her thoughts on fashion and eyewear.

“I’m always excited about eyewear – it can change the way you look; it’s like wearing a new cosmetic, and can change your whole mood. Eyewear is the biggest accessory, and eye protection is so valuable against sun levels. I’m into studying lens making and flat screen eyewear. It’s important to keep the quality going, and keep exploring lens construction. I’m bursting with ideas and excitement and fascinated with eyewear. Temples can be mixed with various materials, or take lenses used for skiing and adapt to sunglasses. It’s challenging, and competitive, but always exciting.

Super Sunnies - Nolita by Vera Wang — Super Sunnies – Nolita by Vera Wang

“Eyewear has always interested me, and I’m a hands on designer – very much involved, and I bring passion to what I do, and study what is going on in the market. I design from my heart. I’ve seen so much change – it is a staggering new world.

“A woman can express herself creatively, while protecting her eyes. Glasses give you attitude, and they make you look totally different. I design in the context of what I feel as a designer – and perhaps as an artist. I’m fascinated by it all.

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Elegant Optical Designs by Vera Wang

“The focus on eyewear in Los Angeles is so obvious. It comes from loving sports. The vocabulary of eyewear has changed. Eyewear is a form of self-expression, and I always encourage women to express themselves, and also offer options and alternatives.

“I’m intrigued with jewelled eyewear. Diana Vreeland and Carrie Donavan (both editors and style icons at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar at different periods) were defined by their eyewear – they saw the potential and power of eyewear.” www.kenmarkoptical.com / www.verawang.com JG

Arts + travel

Jeanne Lanvin

1st April 2015

Paris Retrospective for Legendary French Designer

1st April 2015 A special chapter in French fashion history is highlighted with the intuitive creations of Jeanne Lanvin, now on display in the Palais Galliera. Curated in close collaboration with Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Maison Lanvin, the exhibition honours the oldest French fashion house still in business. In 1889, the twenty-two year old designer Jeanne Lanvin opened her first shop in Paris, and launched her long career that demonstrated her artistry in materials, embroidery, topstitches, twists, spirols, and cut-outs – all the virtuosity of the couturière’s craft. For the period, Jeanne Lanvin was very entrepreneurial, opening shops in Deauville, Cannes, Biarritz, and Le Touquet, as well as abroad in Barcelona and Buenos-Aires.

Jeanne Lanvin - Streamlline Silhouette with Lavish Embellishments — Jeanne Lanvin – Streamlline Silhouette with Lavish Embellishments

Her voracious curiosity inspired her to create unusual fabrics, patterns and exclusive colours. Her favourite colour – blue – was inspired by the intense blue in frescoes by Fra Angelico, and marvelous shades of blue were always magnificently presented in her collections (top photo). Her lifelong muse was her daughter Marguerite, who was born in 1897. Mme Lanvin’s dresses flattered the female form, and often she mixed fabrics – silk crêpe with silk tulle, or silk velvet with silvered metal sequin embroidery – with stunning results. She loved embroidery and beads, and used generous amounts in her designs.

Jeanne Lanvin's extensive library of art books inspired details and decoration in her designs — Jeanne Lanvin’s extensive library of art books inspired details and decoration in her designs

When Jeanne Lanvin introduced her perfume Arpège – from the musical term arpeggio – the name was a tribute to the pianistic skills of her daughter, and for Marguerite’s 30th birthday, Jeanne dedicated her legendary perfume to her beloved daughter.

Jeanne Lanvin Exhibition at Palais Galliera Paris

Jeanne Lanvin is the first Paris exhibition devoted to this discreet, visionary designer, and features more than one-hundred models from the amazing collections of the Palais Galliera and the Lanvin Heritage. Alber Elbaz said: “I think we have managed to create an exhibition around the dream of fashion. What I am hoping for is to hear people say ‘I love Jeanne Lanvin'”. Through 23 August 2015. www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr JG

Reviews

Dolce XL2063

1st April 2015

Charmant Line Art

Light and airy with soft and feminine styling characterize the latest designs from Charmant’s Line Art Collection. The timeless, romantic rimless design features a streamlined temple. Crafted from Excellence Titan – an exclusive material created by Charmant – the frame is amazingly light, and extremely durable. Dolce XL2063 is available in gold (above) plus black and a rich purple. www.charmant.com JG

Boutiques

Coterie

1st April 2015

New opening in Chengdu, Southwest China

Coterie’s new store in Chengdu is its 10th to date. The independent chain champions top level collections, international independent designers and artisan labels, including Anna-Karin Karlsson, a-morir, Mykita and Thierry Lasry.

“In our Chengdu store,” explains David Leung, “we also launch Vava, Lapis and Coco & Breezy. We allocate certain brands exclusively to each location, depending on demographic and positioning in the area.” The store is in a newly opened shopping area – Taikoo Li, where Hermes, Givenchy, Chloe, Apple, and Maria Luisa have all opened flagships in recent months.”

“It seems to us that Chinese consumers are starting to move toward specialised designer eyewear labels. In general, we see more openness to quality design products than we did a few years ago when we first started,” explains Leung.

Asked about further expansion, Leung says while there is much interest abroad, Coterie plans to innovate in other ways, through new collaborations, a wider accessories offering and a unique shopping experience for consumers in China.

“We believe good quality, inspiring design, and value for money are always the criteria for consumers’ selections. Regarding trends, we have seen in the last year a particular interest in mirrored lenses, combination and oversized frames overall.” Find out more about Coterie at www.coterie.cn CN

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Eyestylist

Connoisseur’s Corner

Luxurious, Sophisticated Frames

Vera Wang

Jeanne Lanvin

Paris Retrospective for Legendary French Designer

Dolce XL2063

Charmant Line Art

Coterie

New opening in Chengdu, Southwest China