Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 19th August 2014

The Orient Express

The King of Trains in Paris Exhibition

19th August 2014 A marvelous vintage steam engine is not a usual sight on Boulevard Saint Germain – but certainly an intriguing one! The gleaming green engine that captures the attention of passers by and motorists is part of a superb exhibition – Il Ètait Un Fois L’Orient Express. The trains are displayed in the outdoor space at L’Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.

Carriage interiors can be visited, and a nostalgic look at train travel during The Golden Age reflects the amazing grandeur, service, elegance and pampering passengers enjoyed in another era. The “wagon-lits” as they are called in French, are beautifully appointed with fine wood panelling, and carved René Lalique glass insets. Gourmet dining is further enhanced with lovely cutlery and china.

Inside L’Institut du Monde Arabe, visitors can trace the long and fascinating history of The Orient Express – the inaugural voyage was in 1883 between Paris and Constantinople – with letters, photos, film clips and other memorabilia. The allure, mystery, romance and luxury of The Orient Express is indicative of a different way of life and living…and yet can still be enjoyed today! More information at www.imarabe.org www.orient-express.eu JG

| Eyestylist 15th August 2014

Lindberg Variations

Exceptional Eyewear Style For All Ages

15th August 2014 Lindberg, the elegant Danish label, features sleek, modern designs in luxurious materials. The Lindberg Strip 9700 Collection offers a unique blending of technology and style. Model 9703 (above) has a distinctive, richly textured front and unique temple details. The lenses are encircled by a special acetate inner rim – the overall effect – stunning!

 

Kids frames with savvy and style by Lindberg
Kids frames with savvy and style –

The Lindberg kid/teen collection is especially designed to meet the increasingly fashion conscious preferences of children and teenagers. Durability, flexibility, comfort and lightness are perfect for active children and teenagers. The frames are crafted in nickel-free and hypoallergenic materials – perfect for young, sensitive skins. Featured above: left, style 1502 and right 9553. www.lindberg.com JG

| Eyestylist 12th August 2014

Royal Spectacles

The Queen Mother’s Historic Collection

12th August 2014  A recent revelation about Her Majesty The Queen Mother came to light when it was discovered that she had a collection of eyewear that spread across an entire century. The Queen Mother wore spectacles, but rarely in public. She died in 2002, and the administrator of her household approached the Royal Optician, Roger Pope, with a blue box of the Queen Mother’s spectacles and sunglasses. They had been carefully preserved, even though many were decades old, and others had broken components. Among the frames was a design by the German company Marwitz, which the Queen Mother ordered during the 1990’s – she liked the frame so much, that she had the same design made in both optical and sun spectacles.

The Blue Box in which HM The Queen Mother kept her spectacles
The Blue Box in which HM The Queen Mother kept her spectacles

Eyestylist asked designer Adrian Marwitz, heir to the Marwitz family eyewear history, if he knew the Queen Mother wore his frames.”This is a wonderful surprise,” said Adrian, “and I am very proud of my grandfather because he had a fan in England  – and it was The Queen Mother! I am a fan of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. I really think she is a trendsetter. It would be wonderful if she would find my designs and wear third generation Marwitz frames. We have some nice shops in London that carry Adrian Marwitz, so perhaps one day the Royal Family will wear Marwitz frames again!”

The Queen Mother’s eyewear collection starts about 1919, and continues through to the late 1990’s. With the kind permission of HM The Queen, the frames were donated to The British Optical Association Museum. Neil Handley, curator at the Museum said: “We were delighted that the Queen consented to the donation of these items. They represent one individual’s full lifetime of spectacle wearing, spanning an entire century.” www.adrianmarwitz.com www.college-optometrists.org/museum JG

| Eyestylist 8th August 2014

The Cabriolet Stud

Timeless Chic by Cabrio Belgium

8th August 2014 Luxurious simplicity that is classic and modern characterises the elegant Cabriolet Stud. Created by Bieke Hoet at Cabrio Belgium, the temples are polyurethane with synthetic leather, attached to the lens with a metal stud. Two neutral, stylish colours are available – brown/beige and khaki green (above)  – that transform your sunglasses into a contemporary accessory. The Cabriolet Stud demonstrates both flair and elegance. www.cabrio.hoet.eu / www.hoet.eu JG

The Cabriolet Stud in brown/beige by Hoet Belgium
The Cabriolet Stud in brown/beige by Cabrio Belgium

| Eyestylist 6th August 2014

Original fashion illustrations go on sale

11th August 2014 GRAY M.C.A leading specialists in Fashion Illustration are holding a selling exhibition of original fashion illustrations from Post War 1940s through to the 1970s from Thursday 11th – Tuesday 16th September 2014 at Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street, St James’s, London. Coinciding with London Fashion Week SS15, the exhibition will include more than 40 original works by some of the leading illustrators of the time from Britain, Europe and America including René Bouché, René Gruau & Carl ‘Eric’ Erickson for publications including British & American Vogue, Harpers & Queen, The Sunday Times, Frau im Spiegel (Germany) & Jardin des Modes (France) as well as advertising work for L’Oreal and other famous names in Haute Couture such as Nina Ricci.

A selection of original designs by designers will be featured including Dior, Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA & Zandra Rhodes. Prices from £300 – £10,000. As Connie Gray of Gray M.C.A explained: “For too long fashion illustrators and their illustrations have been seen as a secondary art form, no matter how beautifully executed the image. More often than not, fashion illustrators were more widely known for their advertising work than they were for their work as highly skilled fashion illustrators. Though their style was familiar to the reader & their names published internationally alongside their illustrations, they have never been recognized as true artists. It was almost a secret world in which only those working in the industry knew and admired each other.”

Exhibition dates: Thursday 11 September to Tuesday 16 September 2014 Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street St James’s, London, SW1Y 6BNwww.graymca.co.uk     Image caption: illustration above by American illustrator Tod Draz (1917-2002). CN