Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 7th April 2025

Morel: archive inspiration for new designs

Models Leavitt and Nobel draw on designs from the French company’s archive…

New ophthalmic designs at Morel, announced just a few days ago, draw on the expertise and heritage of the French eyewear producer founded in 1880 in the Jura mountains. The frames are created in acetate and metal with particular details to transform the styles for a contemporary context. Above: The new styles at Morel, Leavitt and Nobel

Unisex model Leavitt by Morel – available in black and chocolate brown

Model Leavitt is a round acetate design with a flattened top and distinctive keyhole bridge. Lightweight and delicately finished, the style benefits from a technically robust Morel hinge for comfort and durability. Metal hardware is visible on the front.

Model Nobel by Morel: minimal + lightweight

The Nobel metal frame is inspired by Morel’s iconic Tydée, a signature model launched by the company in the 1960s; this design also incorporates modern features like the flex hinge for superior comfort and feels lightweight and minimal with a look that is particularly desirable for everyday wear. This model is adorned with the company’s signature five-line engraving – a sign of the company heritage engraved on each end piece, and visible from every angle. Find out more about the two frames and the rest of the eyewear collection by Morel at www.morel-france.com

| Eyestylist 4th April 2025

Eyestylist Exclusive: EYECON Show debut, NYC

Space for relaxed conversation and networking as well as buying, “blending commerce with culture and creativity” – the EYECON Show attracted optical retailers with a special interest in luxury and independent eyewear as well as industry experts and insiders – the inaugural edition of EYECON Show, created by Tarrence Lackran,  took place in March 2025 at the Glasshouse, NYC 
Luxury eyewear collections and accessories by international designers and brands were showcased by the EYECON show, curated by Founder, Tarrence Lackran and described as “a reimagined eyewear experience”. The B2B eyewear show took place from 14th to 16th March 2025 during the new Eyewear Design Week (EDW) – a newly launched destination event for optical retailers and opticians offering multiple showrooms around New York City in which to discover the latest independent eyewear designers and their collections.
This event brought together brands and influential players in the luxury eyewear segment at the Glasshouse, a refined venue in Manhattan with views over the Hudson River. The inaugural edition featured a mix of exclusive brands – many of which had their founders and designers attending in person. They included LAPIMA (Brazil), Ahlem (LA), Anna Karin-Karlsson (Sweden), JACQUEMUS (France), Dita Lancier (US), Oscar Mamooi (Italy), Solamor (France), KURO Athletics (US), Selima Optique (US) Vakay (Tunisia) and CAPOTE Eyewear (Ibiza).  Above: Sunglasses by Selima Optique at EYECON Show
EYECON[VERSATION]: Tarrence Lackran with panelists Brandon Murphy (Brandon Murphy),  Julia Gogosha (Gogosha Optique, LA), Dr. Jennifer Tsai (Line of Sight), Siria Alvarez (Tatiana Restaurant by Kwame Onwuachi), and Jeff Rednour (Equinox Hotels) – the discussion was entitled ‘Designing Desire: crafting a luxury eyewear experience’
Capote Eyewear from Ibiza at EYECON
Tarrence Lackran, Founder, EYECON
“At EYECON, the synergy between the brands has been exactly what we envisioned—independent, design-driven eyewear houses connecting with retailers who truly appreciate craftsmanship and innovation. The curated nature of the show has allowed for more meaningful engagement, and that’s something we’ll continue to refine…”  Tarrence Lackran, Founder, EYECON
LAPIMA at EYECON Show, NYC
As well as friendly energy and networking, an exclusive ambiance for buyers, fine catering and opportunities to discover new handpicked collections and brands, a particular highlight at EYECON was the daily programme of panel discussions (EYECON[VERSATIONS]) which explored the evolving landscape of luxury eyewear, the particular challenges of optical retail and perspectives from the worlds of sports and fashion and other sectors such as hospitality on building luxury experiences for retail success.
Showing at EYECON from Italy: Oscar Mamooi

EYECON Show 2026 Asked about what is planned for 2026, Lackran told Eyestylist this week: “We have not settled on our dates yet, but plan on participating in next year’s Eyewear Design Week. For next time, we’re already thinking about ways to enhance the experience—possibly expanding our programming, incorporating more interactive brand moments, and even exploring additional partnerships that align with the luxury ethos of EYECON. Growth is definitely on the horizon, but our focus remains on maintaining the exclusivity and high-level curation that make this event special. I would rather have the right brands versus a lot of brands.”

To find out more about EYECON visit https://www.eyecon.show/

Images by @jeremiahhgamble for EYECON Show / This feature was written by Clodagh Norton exclusively for Eyestylist.com. 

| Eyestylist 2nd April 2025

Eyewear divas join forces for collab

The female designers behind Barton Perreira and A-Morir Studio have created sparkling, limited-edition collaboration sunglasses – together

Female creative eyewear designers Patty Perreira, founder and creative director of luxury eyewear brand Barton Perreira, and Kerin Rose Gold, founder of A-Morir have worked together for the first time to launch a limited-edition eyewear collection. The collection features four best-selling designs by Patty Perreira – the Jagger, the Devine, the Galilea, and the Binti – reimagined with distinctive decorations by Kerin Rose Gold. Each frame is described as a canvas for Kerin’s gorgeous signature embellishments, with hand-applied stones, jewels, and pearls creating a dazzling effect. Above: Patty Perreira and Kerin Rose Gold wearing their collaboration designs

Collaboration designs: Barton Perreira x Kerin Rose Gold – contemporary, feminine, jewellery frames – above, designers and friends – Kerin Rose Gold and Patty Perreira in the studio together

The Barton Perreira x Kerin Rose Gold collection is available exclusively in-store at the Barton Perreira Meatpacking location (NYC), in very limited quantities. In alignment with Women’s Month, the brand is proud to announce that a % of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Lower East Side Girls Club, a nonprofit organization empowering young women to lead boldly, challenge expectations, and dream bigger, making it a perfect partner for this collaboration. For more information visit https://shop.a-morir.com and https://bartonperreira.com

Photography by Youn Kim – all rights reserved.

| Eyestylist 1st April 2025

Emerging collection: Vincent Catani sunglasses

Based in Copenhagen, the young eyewear designer, Vincent Catani is expanding his reach into well-known fashion retailers

With sun styles now available at Lot#29 (Copenhagen), young designer Vincent Catani has produced a sunglasses collection with chic appeal, designed with the fashion consumer in mind and crafted in the city of Sabae in Fukui in Japan for “top-tier quality”. The style is bold and vintage inspired – Catani’s dad was an avid eyewear collector with a passion for quality – as well as leaning towards lasting design qualities and not just the season’s trends.

Catani’s attitude towards design is oriented towards sustainability and product longevity, with a desire to elevate a person’s outfit and achieve the “perfect balance.” Influences in his work include the natural world and a serious passion for the skateboarding world, which, he says has played a definitive role in the development of his own personal style.  Above and below: the sunglasses style Muse – an oversized sunglasses design inspired by aviator sunglasses. Catani calls the style a fashionable all-rounder “from glamorous and dressing up to loungewear and sneakers…”

Muse sunglasses by Vincent Catani

 

Currently, the collection includes five styles – Muse, BTF, Director, Isac and model 76. The Muse sunglasses in cellulose acetate and M49 bioplastic come in three colours, black, light brown and brown with different coloured lenses in yellow, light green or black.

About the designer: Vincent Catani’s eyewear brand is just a few years old. The collection is made in Japan and features materials such as titanium and bio-acetate. Earlier this year, Catani launched a collaboration with the artist Eric Marquez (https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/02/finnish-designer-vincent-catani-collabs-with-eric-marquez/) which featured sunglasses and frame cases handpainted by the artist – to find out more about the eyewear designer visit www.vincentcatani.com  

| Eyestylist 28th March 2025

LOFT NYC 2025: inspirational independent eyewear design

An extensive overview of the creative talent in eyewear, LOFT NYC showcased more than 150 brands and creative eyewear designers, who exhibited collections at two locations in Chelsea/Hudson Yards,  NYC – the event took place as part of the newly launched ‘New York Eyewear Design Week’ 

An expanded 25th Anniversary event, which took place at Chelsea Industrial and Chelsea Factory, attracted a significant number of brands and designers – (in total over 150 exhibitors)  and buyers and retailers visiting from across the US. The show provided an exceptional overview of new trends and innovative design by the leading independent brands and niche eyewear labels – spotlighting the extraordinary variety and continued innovation in materials, crafting techniques, and technical developments across the sector.

Following the event, Richard Mewha, Founder, said: ““The past few days have seen the 25th anniversary of Loft NYC succeed in expanding our concept of a non trade show environment allowing a larger mix of highly curated independent designers to present their amazing wares to the best optical retailers in North America. We also successfully built a collaboration through our Eyewear Design Week concept with other showrooms, notably with Thelios and Kering, to offer a wider array of venues and options over the 3-day event.” Above: LAFONT Paris and Andy Wolf showing at LOFT NYC – Chelsea Industrial

The Portuguese brand, VAVA exhibited at LOFT – Chelsea Factory

This year, the event saw a selection of special product launches and new collection presentations. They included the launch of the FACE A FACE Anniversary project 3.0  and a colour collaboration with the artist, Jessica Poundstone (www.eyestylist.com/2025/03/face-a-face-reveals-anniversary-collaboration-in-new-york/); the new Galaxy collection presentation from Nina Mûr, a delightful concept fusing art and nature using authentic stone; the release of new designs by FFIN Eyewear such as MOD, a special oversized sunglass shape by Anna Lewis; the latest Collection 2 2025 at SALT. Optics who continue to show a beautiful attention to fine details and colour combinations; and a captivating collection of sunglasses and optical frames called The PUNKS Collection from a new favourite luxury label, Press Eyewear.

We observed a rich variety of eyewear trends, directions and multi-layered colour stories and micro colour trends. Independent eyewear brands continue to highlight the craftsmanship, workmanship, and design qualities of their collections, as well as the intricate creative paths and inspiration behind their work and choices in materials, design inspiration and colour palettes. Eyestylist looks forward to sharing more about these developments in eyewear design in the coming weeks and months.

The LOFT Eyewear Shows have been the premier independent luxury eyewear events since 2000 in New York and San Francisco. Next year, the LOFT organisers have confirmed dates for the NYC event from 5th to 7th March 2026. Find out more at www.lofteyewearshow.com