Paulino Spectacles, Portugal
A monotone mood prevails in fashion this autumn, and in eyewear Paulino Spectacles captures the essence. Hints of cappuccino accent this stunning crystal frame with its intrepid shape. Based in Portugal, designer and founder Ramiro Paulino Pereira is dedicated to the family legacy of crafting specialised and individualistic eyewear. www.paulinospectacles.com JG
Little Black Dress
Supreme Style Statement
1st September 2013 It’s indispensable – the backbone of the stylish woman’s wardrobe. And now the Little Black Dress (LBD) merits its own celebration. The Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and Culture in Paris is the venue for a delightful exhibition of statement Little Black Dresses by international designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and others. Presented by the Museum of Art at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the curator of the show is the peripatetic style maven and VOGUE Contributing Editor André Léon Talley. “The exhibition highlights the strength of individualism,” says Talley, and he also praises the Little Black Dress for its versatility, glamour and grace.
With so many delectable LBD’s on display, it’s easy to understand the allure of this contemporary phenomenon. A must see! Until 22 September 2013. www.monabismarck.org JG
Photos: Top photo: Marc Jacobs silk dress Autumn 2012 Photo credit: courtesy of Rachel Feinstein, New York. Photo credit Oscar de la Renta: Savannah College of Art and Design
Sid Fiz Optique
1st September 2013 Queen’s Park, a fashionable neighbourhood of west London, with a well-known gastro pub (www.thesalusbury.co.uk) inviting bakery (www.gailsbread.co.uk), small independent shops, cafes and a popular farmers’ market is the location of Sid Fiz Optique, a new eyewear store that is a wonderful modern addition to this area. Sid is an eyewear expert, with a wealth of experience of the finest labels on the market – he is also a distributor of some of them, who has long been working with special, quality brands, and who now has his own unique label – Coppe & Sid – in a partnership with Gaultiero Coppe – www.eyedesignclub.com
For his shop which opened in July, Sid’s choice of frames reflects his knowledge and understanding of the new direction towards artisan luxury, something that is likely to please the fashion crowd and professional families locally. “I am in a really nice position to be able to fill my shop with well selected special labels; my customers will be able to walk down the street here and they will be the only one wearing the frame they purchase. There’s something for everyone, and yet we have chosen eyewear that is less mainstream and more about great design and clean, elegant aesthetics. From what I have seen so far, our customers are intrigued by new design and independent labels they may not have heard about before.”
As well as showcasing the Coppe & Sid Eyewear Collection, Sid guided me through labels that included Oliver Peoples, Frency & Mercury, Mykita, Jacques Durand, Lafont, Meyer Eyewear, Face à Face and for kids, Zoobug. “I have a created a minimal interior; my wife and I have designed absolutely everything ourselves and I think the shop reflects something about how we see eyewear moving whilst making this a store where you can see, touch, and try everything – the frames are not locked away and you can pick them up and try them on easily. “The shop also represents a great opportunity to show the Coppe & Sid label in full for the first time; the label has been a great success with the opticians I have worked with and I am looking forward to seeing the response in the eyes of the customer, that is where you really understand the success of a design so you can evolve the collection in line with their tastes and desires.” Sid Fiz Optique, Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park, London. www.sidfizoptique.com CN
Summer fashion and fun
August is the pinnacle of summer’s playful season, and we’re ready with chic designer sunglasses and the latest glasses in reviews. Discover updates on shops in Boutiques, and Dutch Design highlighted in Designer of the Month. Current fashion exhibitions and books are featured in City Guides, and we feature an eyewear exclusive on Anna-Karin Karlsson.
Throughout the month we take a preview peek at what Autumn will be bringing and it is a creative banquet of eyewear inspiration. Happy and warm summer holidays from Eyestylist!
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Hapter, Italy
Eric Balzan and Mirko Forti at Hapter, who will unveil their latest collection in Paris at the end of this month, have kindly given us a preview. Hapter designs are a very tactile experience – crafted using legendary Cerruti materials, and the frames have a pleasant illusion between what the eyes see and the hands touch. The wide surface of the frame (above) is inspired by military eyewear, and the sharp angles of the low bridge area make a powerful statement. In addition to the elegant blue shown, the frame is available pewter, olive and chocolate. www.hapter.it JG