Pure buffalo horn at Finest Seven is interpreted with glamorous sunglasses in light coloured horn – hallmarked with 5-micron gold plated temples. Made in France, each carefully handcrafted design is unique. The voluminous square shape features superb quality Zeiss lenses. A Collector’s item – with only one-hundred pieces per colour model. www.finestseven.com JG
This dramatic, yet pared down shape has Theo’s stamp of originality in the design. Japanese titanium and Indian buffalo horn combine to create a lightweight, flexible and distinctive frame from Theo’s eye-witness collection. The frame front and temples in TZ are made from titanium, and the horn accents are clicked into the titanium without the use of any screws. A frame with natural richness and expression. www.theo.be JG
1st November 2013 Natural pearls have always been objects of desire, due to their rarity and beauty. Through the centuries, myths and legends surround them. Now at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is a beautiful exhibition charting the history of pearls – from the formation of the pearl itself to their legendary fashion symbolism. Pearls were prominent in the European Courts of the 19th century, and today the unfailing glamour and desire for pearls continues. Necklaces, crowns, brooches and bracelets are all on display – luxurious symbols of femininity and timelessness. The exhibition continues through 14 January 2014. www.vam.ac.uk Photo: Sotheby’s Cartier 1930’s pearl with platinum and diamond clasps. The Qatar Museums Authority Collection JG
Photo: Albion Art
Tucked away in the beautiful alpine city of Chur – the oldest city in Switzerland – and surrounded by mountain magic, Swiss optician Pascal Nüesch designs luxurious horn frames, entirely handcrafted. He works by himself, creating each design from start to finish. The timeless shape of No. 50 in natural Indian buffalo horn is truly an eyewear heirloom. www.noosh-optix.ch JG
1st November 2013 The vibrant, lively colours of the Mediterranean pulsate through the Mondelliani eyewear collections. The Rome-based company has a long history of an optical presence in this fabled city. Forty years ago a boutique was opened by Giancarlo Mondello, which now has cult status in the city with its wonderful collections of Mondelliani styles, as well as acclaimed independent designers, including Theo, Anne et Valentin, Lindberg, and Yellow Plus among others. The family legacy continues today with Giancarlo’s wife Rosaria, and son Federico heading the Mondelliani team. Above photo: “Work in Progress” at Mondelliani
Giancarlo Mondello was interested in photography, with a stylised ‘lens eye’ enabling him to understand design. Everything in the Mondelliani collection is linked to colour – “Our attitude to colour is closely related to our being Italian,” says Federico Mondello. Gorgeous, superb quality acetate hues of green, ocean blue, vibrant orange, champagne, and aquamarine are among the delectable tones available in the frames.
Expansion of the Mondelliani brand began eight years ago with the launch of a second shop. Then in 2009, there was the debut of the frame collection. The delightful, sunny colours take their cue from the proximity to the Mediterranean, and the lovely Aeolian Islands in the south of Italy, near Sicily. Inspiration for the beautifully crafted designs for men and women is also gleaned from customers who visit the shops. Quality is keynote at Mondelliani – eveerything is handmade in Italy, with fine Zeiss lenses. The frame tones and lens tint colours co-ordinate – and the harmonious results are stunning. www.mondelliani.it JG