Bushakan, San Francisco
18th April 2014 As well as the ongoing trend in personalising eyewear – we have spotted some beautiful personalised accessories including these by Bushakan – makers of sustainable storage for eyewear, phones and iPads. The label, which is based in San Francisco, produces solid walnut or maple three and five piece eyewear stands, iPhone and iPad docks which can be engraved with a logo, name or initials. Each design starts as a solid piece of wood, sourced from sustainably managed forests, and in the final stages, finished by hand. (Above: Bushakan 5 pocket storage, below, 3 pocket design).
This unique US label sells online and directly to optical shops; since we spoke to them last, the owners say they are stocking stores from Australia to Iceland. www.bushakan.com. For our introduction to the label: https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/06/one-to-watch/ CN
Multicolour Magic
Burst into Colour!
15th April 2014 Colour and more colour is the fashion password this season. Australian designer Jono Hennessy has launched a frame collection of festive colourations in silk fabrics sourced from Down Under. The result is style 6320 (above) that is available in a wide range of lively, diverse tones. A chic little cat-eye shape highlights the beautifully vibrant colours. www.jonohennessy.com
Accessory designer Benedetta Bruzziches says: “I believe in energy and colours.” She also loves to experiment, and the gorgeous Carmen Harlequin bag in a riot of quilted coloured leather is a testimony to her beliefs. The bags are all handcrafted in Italy. www.benedettabruzziches.com JG
OP LA / Open Pop collection
Anne & Valentin
11th April 2014 Anne & Valentin has us marvelling again at the delectable details of Open Pop, a new collection with a gorgeous colour concept that plays with transparency and retro colour ‘pops’. Inspired by Lichtenstein, William Klein’s visions of pop culture and the geometries of the 60s, the Open Pop concept is light, airy and excitingly sassy.
Model ‘Op La’ is one of several shapes in the line – oversize and boldly geometric, with graphic lines and a striped resin inlay that gives a couture definition to this statement eyewear. The temples have been cut to go from bold and thick to delicate and thin, creating a floating effect when on the face.
Choose the Op La in spectacular colours – a classic darker tone such as tortoise and black (top) for Audrey Hepburn glamour or an explosive pastel combo with chic green almond (above) for 60s divas. www.anneetvalentin.com CN
Blue Beauties
Vibrant Colour in Statement Eyewear
7th April 2014 Brilliant shades of blue are a highlight in many collections this season – stunning, rich tones in exciting variations. The intensity of the colour is a nod to the famous deep blue hue created in 1961 by French artist Yves Klein, with input from a chemist – a colour that Klein often used in his paintings. International designers offer delightful interpretations – here are Four Beautiful Blues!
Theo in Belgium (above) sculpts an asymmetrical shape with their eye-witness UC titanium frame in blue teamed with black. The laser-cut titanium pieces are welded together though a different laser process – and the result is precision craftsmanship! www.theo.be
Italian brand Mondelliani’s lustrous two-tone acetate – Salina – features superb volume styling, and hints of retro with the exaggerated brow shaping. Very glamorous! www.mondelliani.it
Down Under in Australia, Jono Hennessy admits “we love blue” and created an optical frame in bright blue acetate, with a lovely slim line cat eye shape. With its glossy translucence, style 8321, has soft shine and luminosity. www.jonohennessy.com
Bright, bold and beautiful! Light and airy aluminium – Aliumair 2 – by Face à Face Paris – features a dash of sunny yellow on the inner temples. www.faceaface-paris.com JG
Futura – Trendsetting Sunglasses by Silhouette
Third Generation Frame with Timeless Style
4th April 2014 Certain designs are timeless – indeed, they improve with age. Silhouette’s FUTURA is an iconic frame that transcends the years. Futura was introduced in 1974 (above); then there was a retake on the cult frame in 2004. The latest reinterpretation is the Futura 2014 to coincide with Silhouette’s 50th Anniversary.
“Thanks to Silhouette’s special material technology, the new Futura moulds itself completely to the head, appearing to almost hover on the face,” said designer Gerhard Fuchs. The exceptionally stunning frame is available in three energizing colours: a black temple and silver mirrored lenses; a white temple with bonze-colour mirrored lenses; and sunny yellow with black lenses.
Last evening in London, Matches – the ultra chic fashion and accessory store – celebrated Silhouette’s landmark occasion and the Futura Anniversary Collection with a private preview. The gala event was held in a beautiful townhouse – 23 Welbeck Street – owned by the founders of Matches. Tali Lennox, who appears in Silhouette’s Futura campaign, was at the event, and chatted with guests and press. For minimalistic and trendsetter coolness, Futura is the ultimate accessory for summer fashion. www.silhouette.com Futura can be ordered online at www.matchesfashion.com JG