Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 1st November 2014

Corbu

Blake Kuwahara Eyewear

From a new eponymous collection by a designer who first came to optics as the creator and designer of KATA, the Blake Kuwahara line is made by hand in Japan. I first met Blake when I started as a trade journalist in the eyewear sector in 1999, and was told by senior editors he was one of the most important trendsetting designers at the time. Today he expresses his eyewear passion once again in a collection that is elegant, understated, imaginative and executed with precision and attention to detail.

Style Corbu expresses the key concept of the collection, as Kuwahara explained to Eyestylist at Silmo: “I’ve taken familiar eye shapes but encapsulate them in a nontraditional surrounding shape. By making a “frame within a frame” the juxtaposition of shapes and colours creates a design tension that is fresh and quite unexpected.” The collection launches with nine unisex optical styles and nine sunglass styles. www.blakekuwahara.com CN

| Eyestylist 1st November 2014

Zero 7 Blush

Finest Seven

Generous proportions enhance beautiful sunglasses from British brand Finest 7 in a new colour – soft, harmonious Blush acetate. A sculpted cut-out nose piece, and detailed gold metal temples complete the ultra-glamorous look. Exquisite handcrafting excellence! www.finestseven.com JG

| Eyestylist 1st November 2014

Mutato

Mothersbaugh x Baum

Coming soon to very chic shops including Opening Ceremony and Eye Society! Mutato is one of the new styles from a collaborative line by Mark Mothersbaugh (front man for Devo and eyewear enthusiast) with eyewear designer Shane Baum. Bold and artistic, the frames are statement geometric designs with lots of luxury features – including silver reflective mirror coated lenses. A scholarly shape, Mutato is created – interestingly- in Beryllium metal, with a stainless steel chrome finish. It’s light, strong (six times stronger that steel) and resistant to tarnish and corrosion, as well as offering a unique bright greyish-tone surface shine. Find more on this collection at: www.eyesocietyonline.com CN

| Eyestylist 1st November 2014

Rotary No. 50

Padma Image Eyewear Design

New blood from Japan….We have our eye on Japan and a group of rising young designers who focus on specialist artisan production and innovative small collections.  I have been following Padma Image for a few months as their designs are available in a large number of Japanese optical stores including ‘eyewearshop’ (Asahikawa City) and The Glasses (Imabari-city) . Created by 28 year old Yuuki Hasui the collection is only available in Japan for the moment, but the designer tells Eyestylist he expects to launch in Europe and the US shortly. Made in Kagawa Prefecture, ‘Padma’ means lotus in Sanskrit and it is the designer’s nickname. “My aim is to create glasses that are comfortable but with something unique, with a certain fashion appeal that is right for today.” Hasui uses vintage acetate he found in a factory in Fukui for its smooth and beautiful features. The elegant handmade shapes and shiny finish are very attractive yet understated. We are watching this label for the future and we have spied some wonderful shapes that are innovative and eye-catching for the eyewear connoisseur. http://padma-image.petit.cc/ CN

| Eyestylist 1st November 2014

XL2005

Line Art Opera

Semi-rimless frames are enjoying a welcome renaissance, with chic variations. Among the most elegant for women is a super slim Titanium design by Line Art Opera, and lyrical temples illuminated with shimmering Swarovski crystals. Inspired by the harmony and beauty of music, the designs have subtle luxury and supreme comfort.  XL2005 is available in three gorgeous colours – Rich Burgundy (above), Cocoa and Gold. www.charmant.com JG