Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 30th January 2015

A Worthy Cause

Zoobug Joins Orbis to Prevent Child Blindness

30th January 2015 The little Ethiopian lad above smiles delightedly because he is able to read. He is among the fortunate children who have benefited from the initiatives of Orbis, the international eye charity that works to prevent and treat avoidable blindness, particularly in children. Eye surgeon, Dr. Julie Diem Le and the founder of the award winning British brand Zoobug, commented: “We have been looking forward to working with Orbis and supporting their initiatives for improving eye health care, and the availability of much needed trachoma treatments for children in Africa.”

 

Retro styling for youngsters:  STOMP by Zoobug
Retro styling for youngsters: STOMP by Zoobug

Orbis and Zoobug are united in their objective to raise awareness of the global issue of childhood blindness, which is an enormous challenge to developing countries. Saving or restoring a child’s sight depends on early detection, the quality of the treatment and the follow-up care received. Orbis also operates the Flying Eye Hospital, which is a fully equipped mobile teaching hospital.

 

Eyewear chic for the young set - MIMI in Natural by Zoobug
Eyewear chic for the young set – MIMI in Natural by Zoobug

Dr. Le founded Zoobug with a strong message about eye protection for children and safety in the sun. The designs for youngsters combine fun, fashionable styles that children love, plus desirable colours and clever details. www.zoobug.com www.orbis.org JG

| Eyestylist 28th January 2015

Ørgreen at OG, London

Iconic store opens doors to Danish titanium collection

28th January 2015 The OG flagship store in London is now stocking Danish label Ørgreen, following the alliance between the two brands, announced last September (https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/09/designers-unite/). Arriving just in time for Spring, the Copenhagen brand does fine titanium frames and sunglasses with an emphasis on sleek modern styling in accessible style-driven colourways.

Observer by Ørgreen
Observer by Ørgreen

Try a classic style like Observer (above) for super comfort and up to the minute refinement or go a little bit more wild and fashion savvy with the excellent Visionaire, a modified pince-nez inspired design with circular eye shape; the brilliant modern colours include mat Olympian blue with sandblasted titanium.

Visionaire by Ørgreen
Visionaire 528 by Ørgreen

Where? The latest frames by Danish label Ørgreen are now available at the Oliver Goldsmith store (OG STORE.LDN), London: 15 All Saints Road, London W11 1HA http://www.olivergoldsmith.com/shop.aspx www.orgreenoptics.com

| Eyestylist 27th January 2015

Trend watch: decorated statement frames

27th January 2015 Luxury decoration is a desirable look for 2015 – but it is by no means a direction that is new. In ‘Eyewear – A Visual History‘ by Moss Lipow, frames of the 50s are described as “heavily festooned” with motifs – from small and subtle to positively crazy, embellished lavishly with pavé rhinestones, or synthetic – sometimes genuine – rubies and diamonds. Art deco design was much referenced with rhinestones being the preferred sparkle for many women’s designs of the time.

Today, the most desirable decorations on eyewear are those by independent designers who set the bar high: they include wonderful floral designs, metal work, handmade porcelain and luxurious hand assembled gem embellishments – notably, by a young generation of talented female designers including Anna-Karin Karlsson (Sweden) – www.annakarinkarlsson.com, Kerin Rose (NYC) – www.a-morir.com, and Moo Piyasombatkul (Thailand).

Gnossienne by Massada Eyewear
Gnossienne by Massada Eyewear

Polish based Massada Eyewear – by designer Kate Lupinsky,- adds another take on statement-making decoration in the independent segment, with the launch of her own jewellery collection online. Designed as customised eyewear jewellery, the frames are embellished with 50s inspired decorations on either side of the front. “Model Gnossienne (above and below) is named after a word created by French composer, Eric Satie,” explains Lupinsky. “It was a word to describe a new type of musical symbol.” The frame offers an opportunity to the wearer to decide on their own colour composition, including the lens tint, frame colour and decorative gold and metal work.

Swan Lake by Massada Eyewear
Swan Lake by Massada Eyewear

Swan Lake (above) features a removable gold clip with coloured Swarovski elements. Made in Italy, each design is classically inspired with an elegant finish, and, for unique contrast, fitted with brightly toned mirror lenses. RRP from 569 euros. www.massadaeyewear.com CN

| Eyestylist 23rd January 2015

South Beach Cool

Art Deco Architecture and Ocean Inspiration

23rd January 2015 Designers Christian Roth and Eric Domège live in Miami’s South Beach, and find the area a haven for all-round cool-factor renaissance. Roth and Domège report: “Miami is an all-hours, high-octane city with a casual, sexy magnificence and a laid back attitude. It has the best beaches, tropical landscaping, amazing restaurants, and is a lure for young artists and lovers of art.

 

Ocean Inspiration by Christian Roth
Ocean Inspiration by Christian Roth

“The vibrant colour of this tropical city is mixed with a fabulous range of architecture from the 1920’s until today. Miami Beach has become more than a resort area and playground…it is on the way to become a city of the future.

 

Fly Girl in Tropical Colours by Christian Roth
Fly Girl in Tropical Colours by Christian Roth

“Fly Girl is a classic CR design that is very Miami, very  resort chic, and very 2015. We have designed it in blue for the ocean, green and tortoise for the lush and tropical vegetation of the region, and in pink (top image) for the Art Deco colourations of Miami Beach.”

 

Power Plug - High Tech Sunglasses by ChristianRoth
Power Plug – High Tech Sunglasses by Christian Roth

South Beach vibes are also evident in Power Plug, sleek sunglasses with a seamless look and feel. High gloss black acetate is accented with gold titanium temples. Korean artist, JunChang Park, designed a whimsical geometric pattern featured on the enamel placement as an ode to the Christian Roth brand. All CR frames are handcrafted in Japan. JG

www.christian-roth.com

| Eyestylist 21st January 2015

Auerbach & Steele, King’s Road

The Bespoke Collection

21st January 2015 This month, Auerbach & Steele in London launches a bespoke design collection in collaboration with Central Saint Martin’s (CSM), one of the world’s leading centres for art and design education. The collection is available on request at Auerbach & Steele’s flagship store on the King’s Road, Chelsea – with prices from £1600 pounds.

Forty BA jewellery design students were briefed on the basic requirements of a spectacle frame; they were then asked to submit two designs each, one functional and one extravagant.

Judged by a panel of industry experts including owner, Gail Steele, a series of winners have gone on to have their frames developed and manufactured by A&S. Above: Design inspired by Asian face jewellery, created by Haya Lutfullah, age 21, from Pakistan. (Price £2300).

Ambrin Howell - Functional spectacle winner
Ambrin Howell – Functional spectacle winner (£2100)

A&S are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to expand the brand which has been at the forefront of avant-garde eyewear since its inception in 1996. The project with CSM, voted the world’s best higher education institution in 2012, was developed as a way of investing in the achievements and creative energy of its graduates.

Ying Ping Shen - Innovative Sunglasses Design - Winner
Ying Ping Shen – Innovative Sunglasses Design – Winner (£1800)

A&S was looking to find the ‘next big thing’ in eyewear design, as well as add an extra dimension to the carefully edited range of ophthalmic frames available for purchase at A&S – ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of the spectacle frame industry.

Zhixin Guo - Overall Winner
Zhixin Guo – Overall Winner (£1800)

The Auerbach & Steele King’s Road store has on display more than 1,000 spectacle frames and sunglasses. A & S’s frame ranges are not the usual designer logo collections that are found in every high street opticians. Auerbach & Steele staff search the world for unusual, off-beat styles, such as Caroline Abram, Adrian Marwitz, Rolf Spectacles and Mondelliani to name but a few of their desirable mix of frames. Auerbach & Steele, 129 King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4PW  www.auerbach-steele.com CN