Eyestylist

Eyewear Excellence in Germany

16th December 2014  The forthcoming OPTI Munich eyewear event in January already promises to be an exciting show to launch the 2015 calendar. Eyestylist has been given a peek at some of the beautiful new designs that will be presented in Munich.

Berlin based ic! berlin debuts the New Year with an ingenious concept – Plotic frames. Designer Ralph Anderl commented; “We’ve mastered acetate. We’ve mastered steel. Now the next frontier. ic! berlin presents plotic – 3D printed eyewear by Selective Laser Sintering. Plotic makes the impossible possible, and paves the way for designs and shapes that until now have been impossible using traditional manufacturing techniques. After several years of research and development, ic!berlin is excited to launch Plotic and Plotic-hybrid eyewear for OPTI 2015 in nine rich new colours.”  Above: Im Dol from the Plotic collection. www.ic-berlin.de

Matthieu Lafont at Lafont Paris, who will present their eyewear collections for men, women and children, observed: “OPTI is an important show in Germany and it’s historically one of the biggest markets in Europe in terms of business.” Lafont is spot-on trend with Piana and the importance of camouflage for eyewear. www.lafont.com

Adrian Marwitz, who will launch his new Titanium collection noted: “The Munich show has great organisation, and of course, the city is amazing, and it is important for the international market.” www.adrianmarwitz.com

Acetate, Titanium and a new genuine horn collection are on the agenda for Götti Switzerland’s presentation. “We have been showing our product in Munich every year since the first OPTI in 2000. For 2015, Götti will present acetate and Titanium news, plus a genuine horn collection, including a presentation that shows how these masterpieces are produced.” www.gotti.ch

Rolf Spectacles highlights their new “evolved collection” that includes frames designed from four different wood combinations. The Austrian based company is celebrating their fifth anniversary of creating ultra-light, delicate wood frames with sophistication, the finest quality and elaborate finishing. www.rolf-spectacles.com

Italian designer Oliviero Zanon will arrive in Munich with a stunning range that includes chic sunglasses with two-tone black and tortoiseshell glossy acetate, and a distinctive flat double bridge. Like all Res/Rei eyewear, Guilio 11 is handmade in Italy by local artisans. www.resrei.com

All roads lead to Munich 9-11 January 2015! www.opti.de JG

Kerin Rose Gold / a-morir and Selima Salaun / Selima Optique

12th December 2014 For ideas on captivating accessories at this time of year, who better to ask for advice than these two ladies of NYC. Kerin Rose Gold is the young founder of a-morir, the artisan jewellery eyewear label, adored by celebrities. “I love to wear something big and festive; and while I’m not one to adhere to ‘fashion rules’ I go for black,” explains the designer. “The last few weeks I’ve been unable to take off my new “Farrell”; a fully pave’d oversized round frame with custom made black metal plated ‘catty-corner’ embellishments accented with beautiful jet black Swarovski gems!”

“The style matches with everything and they are great for blocking out harsh winter elements like snow, wind, rain, and, of course, sun,” adds Rose Gold. “Sure it’s cold, and gets dark early in New York at this time of year, but I’m no less than a 10 minute walk from anywhere I have to be; the studio, the grocery store, my apartment, my supply shops… My style this time of year can be summed up in the concept of ‘Statement Jackets’. I have a giant black jacket that looks like a cloud, an electric blue car coat, a boxy grey plaid number, and a few vintage furs that have been passed on to me. Some women love shoes, others love bags, but I love coats! And what goes better with a statement jacket than some statement a-morir eyewear?” www.a-morir.com

Designer Selima Salaun, friend and mentor to Kerin Rose – she describes her as “a goddess” of eyewear – is also stylishly prepared in the winter months: “December in New York? It is so cold, crisp and fresh…I am obsessed with my Evan frames in white with blue lenses. White like the snow…blue like the sky. I do have 7 pairs of sunglasses…one for each day of the week. Depending on my mood and the weather, I will wear pink, white or black.”

“NYC is full of excitement and wonder at this time of the year,” adds Salaun. “The stores are doing their holiday windows. I always have the same style: I mix high and low fashion…designer dresses with a fun bright colored vintage jacket. I am all for color as it makes me happy. And of course, high heels and a bright lipstick.” www.selimaoptique.com

Portrait of New York designers Kerin Rose Gold of a-morir and Selima Salaun of Selima Optique (top) in Paris, exclusively for Eyestylist.com by Gilles Stüssi. All rights reserved. CN

Designs Out of the Ordinary

9th December 2014 There are numerous reasons to love eyewear – it’s a great fashion accessory with creativity, style, surprises, and current technology, plus wonderful colours and materials. Two discoveries by Eyestylist provide imaginative ideas to enjoy wearing on frosty winter days, or the lure of tropical climates and beaches.

RVS by V., designed by Vidal Erkohen has a new Limited Edition that includes Snow White (above) which is equipped with a custom made Camo print on genuine leather, and chic mirror lenses – an important trend. The bridge is detachable for additional flexibility. The design is an effective and fashionable way to keep your eyes safe from the wind, and strong winter sun. www.rvsbyv.com

What better way to make a grand entrance on the beach than wearing Bocca Lova Sunglasses? Pascal Jaulent at Face à Face Paris is inspired by the fictional spy character Emma Peel in the 1960’s TV adventure series The Avengers. Bocca Lova is an ode to the aesthetics of the 60’s with sharp geometric design and two-tone colouration. Like Emma Peel, you can be a heroine in Bocca Lova sunglasses! www.faceaface-paris.com JG

Influential Nature

5th December 2014 Nature’s finery – the sea, sky and sand, mountains, sunrise and sunsets, lakes and forests, berries and blossoms – are all inspiration for the luminous eyewear designs by SALT. The effortless beauty of translucent colours is captured on fine acetate, which combines the best of California lifestyle – home base for SALT – and Japanese craftsmanship. Above: Lisa in turquoise / SALT Optics.

The design aesthetic is timeless, and characterised with quality, elegance and simplicity. SALT will launch another exciting colour palette in February 2015. www.saltoptics.com JG