Eyestylist

Sophisticated Greys

28th October 2014

Chic and Refined

28th October 2014 New refining colouration techniques give grey tones a transparent or matt richness that works well with many complexions. Grey has an intriguing history in fashion, music and art. Rembrandt used complex greys in his paintings; in the Eighteenth century, grey was a very stylish colour for men and women; and in the 19th century composer Claude Debussy was inspired by grey tones he saw in a Whistler painting.

Current eyewear collections feature noble variations of grey, including Anna-Karin Karlsson’s striking acetate optical design Stockholm Syndrome (above), with finely textured sides. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

Fastens Seatbelt by Suzy Glam demonstrates the lovely acetate colour gradations that give grey tones shining luminosity, and features Suzy’s signature beveled grace. www.suzyglam.com

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

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

Segal in Matt Elephant Grey acetate by Claire Goldsmith Eyewear from the CG Lite collection highlights cool, uncluttered design in a contemporary mode. www.olivergoldsmith.com

Pewter Grey Pure Titanium by Adrian Marwitz with a streamlined sculpted frame front is lightweight, and expertly handcrafted in Germany. www.adrianmarwitz.com JG

Home

Choices for men

24th October 2014

3 of the best: slim specs for winter

24th October 2014 Take your cue from some of the finest independent eyewear labels and replace chunky frames with slim, slender well defined shapes for the winter season. Newly launched collections point to a a determined move away from thick and geeky to a more measured style where the frames compliment and enhance features.

For cool elegance Danish brand Kilsgaard has this minimal look sewn up: their aluminium designs are super light and flattering and will do everything you will want them to do in terms of durability and comfort (above, Kilsgaard Eyewear, www.kilsgaard-eyewear.com)

Morgenthal Frederics in the US are also sensitive to the demand for thinner, lighter styling for men. They release model Brad, a finely shaped deep rectangle handcrafted from crystal acetate in France. The colour choice of green with butterscotch is particularly handsome, in my view. www.morgenthalfrederics.com

Foursome by Rolf Spectacles — Foursome 102 by Rolf Spectacles

Then there’s the same slimline trend emerging in other materials. Wood eyewear leader Rolf Spectacles serves up innovation upon innovation. Their new Evolved collection, launched in Paris last month, proposes a choice of elegantly handcrafted delicate spectacles with clean paired down dimensions – model Foursome 102 is made from a refined Smoked Figured Eucalyptus for lightness and unique shine and texture. The style is one of 17 new designs produced in five woods, four special and four stone types. www.rolfspectacles.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Winners!

21st October 2014

The 2014 edition of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Awards celebrates winners from three different countries. Announced in Stuttgart, Kirk & Kirk in the UK was awarded Gold for their entry – Curie – a stylish acrylic design handcrafted in France. Nathanael Wenger, Hall of Frames Director, presented the citation to Jason Kirk. Wenger said: “We congratulate the winners and thank all of our entrants. The opticians had a challenging time selecting the winners with the diverse range of styles, creativity and materials. We wish everyone a bright future.” Kirk commented: “Karen and I want to thank Hall of Frames, Eyestylist and the opticians for this opportunity. Our concept is to create frames that are a bit different, yet very wearable.” www.kirkandkirk.com

Cultural and artisanal influences fuse for the Silver winner Vava. A Berlin based Portuguese brand made in Italy, Vava was cited for their sunglass design WL001. www.vavaeyewear.com

Parisian Jérémy Tarian received the Bronze award for his streamlined, elegant two-tone acetate design – Madeleine – handmade in France. www.jeremytarian.com

Madeleine in Silver and Cream by Jérémy Tarian

Congratulations to all the winners from Hall of Frames/Eyestylist, and we wish you every success! www.hallofframes.ch JG

Photos for Eyestylist by Katharina Müller Top Photo: Nathanael Wenger, Jason Kirk and Dirk Geismann; Angelika wearing Vava

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Dashing, Daring RED!

17th October 2014

Dare to Wear Radiant Red for Fashion & Frames

17th October 2014 Red is associated with many qualities and emotions: passion, courage, strong energy, leadership, joy, and in Asian culture – happiness. The “red carpet” is significant for ceremonial and state occasions. It’s also a favourite fashion colour, as Albert Kreimler at Akris in Switzerland showed so elegantly in his collection, worn with frames designed especially for Akris by Silhouette. www.akris.ch www.silhouette.com

Eyewear designers love red too – as Gai Gherardi at l.a. Eyeworks notes: “Red is a powerful marker!” The Los Angeles based company always features red in their collections, and the latest is the cheerful Lusty Red frame called Flower Pot. www.laeyeworks.com

“Red…one of my favourite colours indeed”, says Daniel Benner at Benner KG in Germany. Benner’s red expression is in acetate and stainless steel, with dramatic brow treatment. www.benner-eyewear.com

Theo believes in “redder that red” – and their newest signature red design Mille+02 in transparent acetate really glows! A subtle nod to vintage highlights the fluid frame shape.www.theo.be JG

Arts + travel

Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Award

14th October 2014

Announced in Stuttgart this Weekend

The winners of the 2014 Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Awards will be announced in Stuttgart on 19th October. The finalists include a diverse group of designers, who have started their independent labels within the past five years: Adrian Marwitz; Dominik Gasser; Feb31st; Gouv/Au; Kirk & Kirk (above: K&K Curie); Larke Optics; Res/Rei; Tarian; Vava and Von Arkel.

von Arkel Main HD2 — Von Arkel Main HD2: Design entered for HOF/Eyestylist 2014 Awards

The 2013 Gold winner Susanne Klemm at Suzy Glam commented about the award: “For a company that had just started, it was great to win this award. Not only for the publicity, but also it was very pleasant to see that the German/Swiss opticians appreciate our designs. We are a design driven company and do not make what the market asks for, so we never know how things work out. Therefore, by getting this award, it showed us that these markets like what we are doing. It has a special place at our office, because we were very proud of it.” www.suzyglam.com

Vava WL OO1: Design entered for HOF/Eyestylist 2014 Newcomer Awards

Eric Balzan at Hapter, the 2013 Silver winner added: “The Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Award represents an important kick-off for every newcomer designer brand wishing to distribute in the German speaking area. The direct and unsolicited vote of visiting opticians, most of whom do not know your brand yet, gives you a clear clue on the potential of your project in the market. Further, for a young brand like HAPTER it was a big honour to be within the finalists, together with projects and persons we totally admire and love like Suzy Glam and Coblens.” www.hapter.it

Watch this space for the winners of the 2014 Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Awards! www.hallofframes.ch www.kirkandkirk.com www.vonarkel.ch www.vavaeyewear.com JG

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Danish eyewear: Nyhavn by Ørgreen Optics

Eyewear collaboration: OKUDA x Nina Mûr

Mik Somers, theo eyewear: “Vision empowers creativity”

OTIS Eyewear: style with substance