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
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
…the season for new eyewear that is beautiful, desirable and finely crafted by independent designers. Click on REVIEWS for lovely examples. A seaside optician features in BOUTIQUES, and the Designer of the Month creates exceptional accessories. See CITY GUIDES for an exhibition that pays tribute to a revolutionary fashion designer. Eyestylist…where you find exciting, innovative eyewear by creative specialists.
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27th March 2015 Sustainable fashion trends are more prevalent than ever before and that is increasingly having an influence on accessory design. For frames, recycled materials, when used creatively, can produce interesting designs that are modern, comfortable, wearable – and well-priced.
Created by husband and wife team Mai-britt and optician Morten Seaton, Monkey Glasses from Denmark make frames from a biodegradable material that consists of 90% cotton fibres and wood mass. The result is wood-look frames, with precise attention to detail – model Betty (pictured above) is one of their most accomplished sunglass shapes in 2015. Surplus materials are recycled into accessories and jewellery, and every time a set of frames leaves the shelves the company donates a percentage to the ‘Save the Orangutan’ charity – www.savetheorangutan.org.
Monkey Glasses released its first collection of sustainable glasses in 2010 and now sells worldwide to selected stores and online at www.monkeyglasses.co.uk. CN
Independent Eyewear on The River Rhine
Hall of Frames has announced a new show for their independent eyewear events – on the banks of the River Rhine in Cologne. Show organisers Nath Wenger and Dirk Geissmann said: “We are very excited to organise our first show in Cologne! The city has a rich tradition in the eyewear industry, and “Die Brillenmesse” will be held on 25th and 26th April in the Dock One Hall, next to the River Rhine.
“Over fifty of the best Eyewear designers will present their spring news in a cool and relaxed setting. The expectations are high because the opticians in and around Cologne are famous for good taste and openness towards fine Eyewear. Only the best opticians can survive and “Die Brillenmesse” is the platform for some of the most beautiful brands in the market.”
Slav Nowosad will make his first appearance at a HOF event and present what he describes as his “atypical frames” (above Sun 5055/00)) Aesthetics, technology and design without limitation are Nowosad’s approach to unusual eyewear. Nowosad Designworks are designed and handmade in Poland. www.slavnowosad.com
Suzy Glam – Gold winner of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Award in 2013 will unveil beautiful new designs in Cologne. Suzy Glam Breaks Rules features curvaceous, elegant lines in nude matt acetate. www.suzyglam.com
L.G.R. from Italy will attend with their latest – and fabulous – designs including Sahara, with a distinctive brushed effect on the frame front, and superbly crafted mineral glass lenses. L.G.R. frames are handmade in Italy. www.lgrworld.com
KBL Eyewear in Germany is synonymous with youth, quality, and performance, and presenting for the first time at HOF. The initials KBL stand for Kind of Bohemian LIfestyle, and the designs reflect a “bohème” nature – expressed in Italian acetate and Japanese titanium. www.kbleyewear.com For more information on HOF Köln visit www.diebrillenmesse.de JG