Style Influences Transcend The Centuries
1st October 2012 The opulent, sophisticated Baroque era of the 17th Century is appearing in a 21st Century version in fashion collections. Baroque was an amazing cultural period in European history – the luxurious lifestyle of Louis XIV, the memorable paintings of Michelangelo and Rembrandt, the literature of Moliere, plus the music of Vivaldi, Handel, Telemann and Bach. This era also marked a change in how people dressed – beautiful, rich silks, lace, and ornamentation showcased craftsmanship and new found freedoms.
The splendour of this period has inspired fashion this season, in clothing and accessories. Designers are taking risks – as they did in the Baroque era – with colour, experimentation, bold designs, and unique decoration. In eyewear, we particularly love the fabulous frames (above) created by Mercura NYC for Giulietta Spring 2013. The style is alluring Baroque poetry – in jet black crystal, with brass and elements of the sea sculpted into the design, then hand painted with enamel – a fantasy working with the innovative “by the sea” romance design structure of Guilietta’s clothing collection. The result is splendid, avant-garde glamour.
Mercura NYC eyewear (above) also beautifully compliments the Falguni & Shane Peacock Collection with its futuristic, sensational, and exotically regal design in acetate with sculpted crystal lucite bubbles. The grandiose influences of Baroque are a fashionable celebration! www.mercuranyc.com JG
The Eight Glasses Gallery
European Style Boutique in Taiwan
1st October 2012 A special thank you to Francis Klein Eyewear for bringing this charming boutique to our attention. David Le’s desire was to create a boutique with the authenticity of a European atmosphere for The 8 Glasses Gallery. Le’s sister,who is an interior decorator, orchestrated the library/bookcase design in beautiful wood, where the frames are prominently displayed. The overall effect adds to the essence of the glasses.
The boutique opened last year in the Neihu Min Chuan East Road District of Taipei, Taiwan. An optician for many years, Le says:”With the diversification of worldwide designer brands, it is clear that glasses are a fashion accessory. In fact, many people have the hobby of collecting glasses.” For the boutique, Le’s preferences are for frames from independent creators, whose special design and colour techniques translate into fine frames. Amongst his selections are Lafont, Francis Klein, Theo, Markus T, and others. A shop with true international flavour and frames! JG
Autumn arrives…
and we welcome the season with frame designs that work wonderfully with new season fashions – see REVIEWS. Our Designer of the Month features an innovative company from Belgium, and in BOUTIQUES, you’ll find a very chic shop in The Netherlands. Check out CITY GUIDES throughout the month for several must-see exhibitions including Chanel’s photo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London. We’ll preview beautiful eyewear designs, soon to make their debut in Paris next month at SILMO, the French exhibition. And we are reporting from London Fashion Week. JG
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Symbolism, Beauty and Mystery
Exceptional Eyewear Style by Anna-Karin Karlsson
29th September 2012 The highlight of my visit to Tranoï was re-connecting with Anna-Karin Karlsson, and viewing her fabulous new frames. She described the symbolic theme for the 2013 collection: “I took time out from the rest of the world, and moved to a cottage in the Swedish countryside in order to realise my ambition of creating couture eyewear. In the dark forests of northern Sweden, my determination and vision had few distractions, and I worked continuously and obsessively. “Perfecting the Art of Dying Alone”, the title of the collection, derives from working around, and engaging in, themes of grief and mourning. I created the collection to show the beauty and sorrow of sacrifice, and the perishability of it all.
“The design ‘One Trick Pony’ (above, photographed in a Stockholm cemetery) originates from the song I composed, and is my most sculptural work to date. The title plays with the derogative notion of knowing just one thing, and doing nothing but that thing. With this design, however, it stands for the determination and stubbornness behind doing exactly what you want and believe in, and the astonishing results that can lead to.”
Always the romanticist, Anna-Karin says: People want things with a heart – with thought and depth – and I want my designs to live a beautiful, romantic life.” www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG
Bloody Lys by J.F. Rey
Statement photo-engraving
28th September 2012 Nominated for next week’s sunglasses award in Paris, the ‘Bloody Lys’ is a creation by the French label, J.F. Rey. The frame and lenses of this lace-inspired statement piece in metal are decorated with a traditional ‘fleur de lys’ motif. The technique has been used in two previous collections by the brand, but this is the first time the effect has been extended to appear on the lenses as well as the frame. A spokesperson for the team told Eyestylist.com: “Innovation and technical challenges are the key to J.F. Rey’s success and the driving force for our company. With our unusual creative approach and dedication to our French origins, we enjoy creating surprises for our customers; the Bloody Lys which we are launching at Silmo is an exceptional example of our achievements!” We look forward to more exciting innovations for the new season. www.jfrey.fr CN