Eyestylist

Rigards Creates Custom Frames for Diane Pernet

21st February 2014 The American-born, Paris-based fashion designer, writer and film maker Diane Pernet is recognised at fashion events in her signature attire and dark shades. When Ti Kwa was in Paris, she visited the Rigards showroom, and it was the start of an intriguing project to create a special frame for the fashion luminary. “Diane’s signature has always been an oversized cat’s eye frame, and right from the beginning, it was a challenge to handcraft such an unusual shape and size,” says creative director Ti Kwa, “And we sketched more than ten different designs. She narrowed it down to two, before deciding on the final one. Through the designing process, we were inspired by Diane’s incredible endurance and her continuous journey in the world of fashion. Hence we decided to go with a fluid front like the mobius loop to signify movement – a never ending, constant pace.”

Last month Ti Kwa presented Diane with the final version of her customized frame. At the same time, Rigards unveiled their new design RG0057 (top photo), worn by Jean-Marc Virard, Rigards marketing director, and Diane is wearing her one-of-a-kind customized Rigards. “We look forward to more collaborations such as this, as it brings diversity and quite of bit of fun as well,” says Ti Kwa. For more information on innovative frames by Rigards, visit www.rigards.com JG

Military Goggle with Nostalgia and Romanticism

19th February 2014 A mountain climbing expedition by Italian designers Eric Balzan and Mirko Forti led to the discovery of glacier military goggles from WWII, that they found on a summit within the Dolomite mountains. A creative concept was born, and the duo founded Hapter in January 2013 with an expressive collection of eyewear, crafted from  beautiful Cerruti 1881 fabrics. Now Balzan and Forti have created a replica of the heirloom goggles  – MG  Military Goggle.

The design unites a meticulous technological system with artisanal handcrafted materials. The result is a stunning piece with a special fusion of industrial-grade surgical steel, and an 18 micron superfine Merino wool in military green. The material is inspired by a Cerruti Woolen Mills fabric, masterfully woven from the finest wools in Queensland Australia. Hapter respects history, and the design is a tribute to an echo of the past, coupled with 21st century innovation. www.hapter.it JG

16th February 2014 Purple is one of my personal favourites in eyewear. It is – perhaps unexpectedly – easy-to-wear, and it gives a lift to a minimal classic shape. Vanni’s choice of purple for Hydra V8444, a combination metal/acetate design with modified butterfly shape, is a good reflection of the colour’s all-round allure; worn by Doris Zaccone, presenter of “Capital in the world” (Radio Capital), Rome, where the Vanni Occhiali team was recently shooting, the colour is superbly eye-catching, but not overstated or in any way flash.

The Hydra also benefits from large proportions, and from what we are seeing, this is a key trend in women’s eyewear through 2014. See more Vanni styles at www.vanniocchiali.com CN

Eyewear Interpretations with Flair

14th February 2014 Colour is keynote this spring and summer for clothing, accessories and eyewear. The palette is experimental and fun – be ready for the unexpected! French designer Pierre Cariven presents two designs in a delightful melange of colourations. Yael (above) blends black, red and camel with interior marbling interest on the insides, in a dramatic scalloped shape.

Eve is a sensual cat eye design in elegant teal blue, contrasted with cocoa tones. All Pierre Eyewear designs are handmade in France, to Pierre’s exacting standards. Each frame is finely crafted in high quality and beautiful acetate. For more details visit www.pierre-eyewear.com JG