Eyestylist

New-season shades by Paulino Spectacles

25th June 2013 Summer is here, and with a little bit of luck, here to stay! Paulino Spectacles, the young Portuguese eyewear label that we are starting to see in some of our favourites stores in London and Paris, has added some new sunglass styles to its core collection, combining their signature smooth-to-the-touch acetate and expressive shapes. The colours are inspired by the finest vintage palettes, and each design has something charismatic – the eye-catching open circle at the bridge in the cats eye called Filipa is unique to this style.

As a wearer of Paulino’s Naty sunglasses, I can vouch for the quality and out-of-the-ordinary design that is reminiscent of an authentic vintage classic. The acetates are among the finest, classical, and highly polished for a dazzling shine.

To celebrate the launch of Filipa and Diogo sunglasses, Paulino has produced new images featuring different landmarks in the label’s hometown, Lisbon.

See full details at www.paulinospectacles.com/blogs/news. Paulino Spectacles are now available at The House of Eyewear, Paris – www.thehouseofeyewear.com. CN

Credits: photo shoot (top image): Production and photography : Vilma Costa; models, Andre Costa and Ines Silva; Make-up, Olga Jose. Hair, Aurelio Ramos; assistant, Marcio Neris; Stylist, Silvana Querido, thanks to Roda Gira & Veronique Boutique.

London Collections: Men

22nd June 2013 Eyestylist is always supportive of independent label collaborations and here is one notable one that has been happening this week at the London Collections: Men (LCM). It’s a link up between Berlin’s Lunettes Kollektion and the young British menswear designer, James Long.

This is not the first collaborative project for Lunettes Kollektion, who have a strong, well-established link with the fashion industry.

According to Long, the Lunettes brand has the right synergy with his latest “Beyond the Velodrome” collection for SS 14. “The fabrication and design detailing of Lunettes Kollektion is really interesting, clever and modern,” he explains. “We thought working with Lunettes would be a great addition to the SS14 collection.”

Appearing in London was the “dandified” circular Flaneur style, with Long’s new colour coding, in white, green, red and blue, paired with classic and much praised frame colours of toffee and incense. The styles coordinated with Long’s cycling-inspired blocked colours, powerful stripes and super, carefully played out details.

For more information and pictures of James Long’s SS14 show visit: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=1294

www.lunettes-kollektion.com CN

Catwalk images provided by James Long and Lunettes Kollektion.

Sunglasses With Flair

21st June 2013 This summer the variety of sunglasses available is wonderful – so many desirous styles. Do you visualise yourself in a more exotic frame? Are you ready to try an unusual colour? Are you a classicist, but also want some flair? Here are two designs created to stir the imagination. Lome by Lafont (above) in stainless steel, in a colour explosion of blue and purple, is the perfect frame to add vibrancy to summer fashions. www.lafont.com

Voluminous round shaping highlights Phrase, a chic design by Anne et Valentin. Khaki titanium and burgundy acetate unite in the lens shape, and the double-bridge is elegant and distinctive. www.anneetvalentin.com JG

Grace Woodward – Fashion Trendsetter

18th June 2013 Statuesque and stunning, Grace Woodward arrives for our meeting wearing a chic black dress, a fabulous gold necklace, and gorgeous Anna-Karin Karlsson sunglasses – she has a passion for beautiful accessories. The London based stylist and director of Grace Woodward Creative looks every inch the part of her busy life as a style coordinator, trend spotter and TV personality. She covered the Royal Wedding for Sky News, and does live fashion reporting from Glorious Goodwood and The York Races. She shares with Eyestylist her approach to being a trend developer.

“While some think that fashion people are all crazy, there are those who appreciate trend information in advance,” says Woodward, “and my antennae is usually about 1-2 years ahead. Then you have to turn this into stuff. Sometimes my timing is too far ahead – but all this does give a different perspective of the world. For Autumn/Winter 2013/14 everything is quite subdued, even for the luxury industry. There are only a few bursts of colour; otherwise everything is safe. It’s a reflection of the times. This is not the moment to step out and take risks.”

Woodward is a champion of the non-conformist. “In the last ten years, we’ve been bombarded with a desire for newness and that is stimulating; however, the flip side is that it’s too conformist. I admire an individual personality like Helena Bonham-Carter. Fashion can be a bit rigid, which you can see with the celebrity conformity. I’m also a proponent of quality, and there is nothing like saving up for something really good. What you wear is an expression of your personality. Fashion is about painting pictures.”

British designer Vivienne Westwood is the person who piqued Grace’s interest in fashion. “Westwood was my first awakening of fashion,” remember Woodward, “because she was about distinctive references. i love her clothes and still do. Alexander McQueen is also a favourite. i like people who want to be more. I feel so fortunate to be near to fashion and working in it – I like the proximity. We have to subvert the past to find the future. Christian Lacroix refers to the past – there is always something more going on in his designs.”

Grace Woodward also has a special kinship with eyewear. “If I don’t wear my glasses, people don’t recognise me! I love Anna-Karin Karlsson designs, Linda Farrow and Retrosuperfuture (top photo). I love clothes and eyewear – rather than ‘fashion’, and I see it as a way of self-expression. www.gracewoodward.com JG