Eyestylist

A story of ongoing innovation

26th April 2013 We have been given access to another fantastic archive for this month of vintage celebration on Eyestylist. The Austrian eyewear company, Silhouette has a very rich past, and a number of statement pieces such as the design classic above from the 1974 Futura Sunwear collection – now very collectible and sought after – and model 500 from 1978 (see below). This is the first time I have had a chance to have a look at these Austrian-made styles through the years, and many more that have played their part in the development of eyewear into a fashion accessory. Silhouette was created in 1964 by Anneliese and Arnold Schmied and today remains true to its roots both in terms of the Austrian production and its appetite for innovative, hi-tech design. The company became well-known for its lightweight frames and rimless designs in the late 1990s, and its commitment to these qualities which became the preferred choice of frame for astronauts travelling to space.

This year the company is celebrating another new launch for its lightweight eyewear concept, Titan Minimal Art, in the form of The Icon. We have tried and tested these feather-light minimal frames (there are specs and sunglass versions available), which are made of titanium and SPX, much like the first frames in the Titan Minimal Art series, designed by Gerhard Fuchs and launched in 1999.

Created in Linz, Austria, each Icon style is made in a detailed process that includes high-tech processing and handcrafting and in total, more than 200 steps. The designs aim to be youthful and easy for all faces, and are consistent with the original Titan Minimal Art concept, with focus on the reduced weight, a minimal almost non-existent frame, flexibility and hingeless and screwless design. The styles strike a clever balance in terms of premium quality, practicality and price and there is an almost dizzying choice of colours from modern brights to classics such as gold or black. For more information and virtual try on visit www.silhouette.com.  Images courtesy of Silhouette Eyewear.  CN

25th April 2013 I hadn’t really thought about vintage design for children, but when you see these you realise that there have been some super sweet designs for little people in the past…but they have been slightly forgotten. Not so by Lunettes Kollektion, the Berlin specs label that has their own line but also an enlightening collection of vintage eyewear. As they prepare to open their new store, complete with children’s corner, at Dunckerstr. 18, we have discovered their love of frames for all ages, and their special selection of children’s designs from the 70s and 80s by Dior, Tintin et Milou and Les Halles.

The Dior styles are decorated with colourful bows, a detail I’ve seen on grown-up frames but not on anything so pretty as these little ones; it’s a special touch that will surely delight the little fashionistas of Berlin. Available at Lunettes Selection, Dunckerstr. 18, 10437, Berlin, Germany CN

Find more on Lunettes Kollektion here: https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/01/round-renaissance/

www.lunettes-selection.de

Fashion Legacy in Eyewear

23rd April 2013 As a writer, I’ve been fortunate to meet a fascinating array of musicians, artists and designers. Each meeting is notable, and some interviews are truly memorable. One such event was meeting Emmanuelle Khanh (above) in Paris, at the time when she had a marvellous boutique on Avenue Victor Hugo. She was stunning – shining black hair – and of course, wearing amazing glasses from her eyewear collection.

“When a woman feels well in clothes, jewellery and glasses, she feels well in general,” declared Khanh, “and I never do fashion for fashion; I just make what I like, whether it’s clothing or eyewear. I wear glasses and I created my own frames from the beginning (1971) and I have stayed with the same shape. Glasses were once an infirmity, but now they are a fashion advantage. What is important is to find your style, your own personality in fashion. The first pair of frames I made is still the design that sells internationally.”

That interview took place over twenty years ago, and the same eyewear shape that Emmanuelle Khanh created (above) continues to sell around the globe. She is a fashion visionary in every sense of the word, and grasps the importance of eyewear as an accessory, and the concept of vintage forever. www.emmanuellekhanhparis.com JG

Photo: Courtesy of Emmanuelle Khanh Paris

Karen Walker Campaign for Grand Dames

19th April 2013 Karen Walker is running a fabulous campaign, photographed by Ari Seth Cohen,  featuring – as the French say – ladies of a “certain age” who are, as Walker says: “interesting, inspirational and beautiful – sharing their remarkable outlook on life.”

There are four women between the ages of 65 and 92, each wearing designs with standout shapes and great colours. Joyce (above) who is 80 wears Northern Lights -a bold and dramatic shape with lots of vintage character. Joyce’s philosophy on life she sums up as: “To be optimistic, join in, don’t be negative, be positive in everything that you can, and it will come your way and work out.”

Another stunning style for summer is Atomic (above) in orange sorbet with delicate filigree laser cut eyebrow trim above the cat eye shape. Both Northern Lights and Atomic are from the new Karen Walker Forever sunglass collection for 2013. www.karenwalkereyewear.com JG