Eyestylist

Robert Marc

Via Roma

4th January 2012 New York designer Robert Marc, who recently received the 2011 Visionary Award from the Accessories Council, recognition for his outstanding contribution to the world of accessories, has brought out a sumptuous and colourful new range of optical frames and sunglasses. Via Roma takes the Italian capital as its inspiration, and as Marc explains, reinvents classic formulas, using crisp yet sensuous lines and dinstinctive, brightly coloured materials. Glamorous gem tones, perfect for the Spring, include bold amethyst, sapphire and garnet paired with patterned acetate for women and trendy tortoise or mellow olive for men. For more information or to find European stockists visit www.robertmarc.com CN

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Arcadia

Entourage of 7

I enjoy finding new labels, and while I haven’t yet worn one of these or had the chance to see the whole line, I am very pleased it has appeared on my desktop. Arcadia is topping my wishlist for 2012…this is a bold thing in red, the slightly articulated, angular design is modified from a 60s cat shape with a lovely deep lens, and it bears no decoration or emblem which seems to serve it very well indeed. If you want your sunnies to combine a very trendy shape for 2012, and preserve a touch of vintage chic and handcrafted originality, this is a style we recommend. Made from Japanese zyl, the frame has top quality, durable 5 barrel hinges and double gradient AR backside coated lenses for a high-level UV protection. The brand Entourage of 7 is located in Los Angeles, and is run by two Danish eyewear designers, Rikke Brogaard and Jakob Talbo, who love 50s and 60s Danish design, and L.A.s laid back style, which is caught in the frames through the choice of warm, playful colours. Frames to look out for. www.eof7.com CN

 

Alexander Wang AW14C2

Linda Farrow/Alexander Wang collaboration

An aviator that has caught my eye, partly because this shape defines a key mood for next year, but also because this one adds a decorative touch to the metal base with a patterned acetate. An American fashion designer of extraordinary repute who has won countless awards including, in 2011, GQ’s best new menswear designer of the year, Wang’s sunglasses have an edge that send fashion editors into a frenzy…his “extreme” cat eye sunglasses with metal corners were, and still are, a bit of a cult piece for girls. It will be very interesting to see if this one, or any of its sister shapes in the designer’s S/S 2012 range produced with the UK’s Linda Farrow, gets the same buzz this year. Coming soon to the online store at www.lindafarrow.co.uk CN

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Metal Charles

Victoria Beckham from Cutler & Gross

This designer sunglass collection is an elegant addition to Ms. Beckham’s fashion collections, and, produced by Cutler and Gross, it seems there is no compromise on quality or style. Metal Charles is possibly the top shape of the collection and will be an editor’s favourite, but we have looked closely at the whole line and love the 1970s theme and crisp white or washed out hues and pastel tones in the collection. Metal Charles combines gold and black metal frames with mink, honey, black and white lenses and are fashionably lightweight and easy-to-wear. Handcrafted in Italy, the collection is made with fine techniques and materials. Each piece reflects the modern considered aesthetic of the Beckham fashion range, and, as we viewed the sunglasses next to the S/S ready-to-wear, we can see that in context the sunglasses add a fresh and effortless elegance to the overall collection. For really lightweight sunnies try the Fine Metal Style, an exercise in featherlight construction, which Victoria has devised to overcome the red marks on the nose, often produced with a heavier or ill-fitting sunglass style. www.victoriabeckham.com  CN

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Cabriolet Coccinelle

Cabrio Eyewear – Hoet Concept

We first featured Cabrio in February this year and it’s an enduring range with an intriguing use of materials that deserves lots of attention! This model, the Coccinelle, the latest edition in the line, is based around the rimless lens, which is curvaceous and enveloping to fully shade the eyes. The frame itself, like those of the whole range is made of a laminated plastic which is creased, folded or manipulated by hand to create a distinctive lightweight sunglass with a sporty design. Two versions available in three colours, the Coccinelle  is out in stores from February. Stockists in the UK include 36 Opticians www.36opticians.co.uk and Schuller Opticians www.schulleropticians.com. For more details go to www.cabrio-eyewear.eu CN