Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 1st January 2025

Masahiro Maruyama designs ‘stacked’ eyewear ‘art’ gems

The ‘Step’ concept is created through a process of stacking different elements like building blocks

Japanese designer Masahiro Maruyama has released the images of his artistic new Step models, striking designs which fully adopt the designer’s love for experimental design. For these models, each part has been stacked one by one, in titanium or acetate. Even the end pieces and bridges have been placed freely like building blocks, without adhering to the norms of classic glasses construction.

The titanium styles are also characterised by a bold hammered pattern, a new titanium texture in this collection, with a special dot pattern hand-painted by craftsmen. The acetate models such as the MM0096 pictured below, have an independent end piece and rim, secured together with visible ‘decorative’ rivet pins to complete the piece. Above: MM-0095 from the latest collection by the Japanese designer, Masahiro Maruyama – an expressive one-of-a-kind frame in titanium

Eyewear art from Masahiromaruyama – the asymmetric acetate model MM0096 comes in mat black/black, black, white and grey, ivory, brown and beige or blue, light blue and green (above)

The new collection by Masahiro Maruyama features a total of six models, each produced in four colour ways. For more information visit the website https://masahiromaruyama.com

| Eyestylist 26th December 2024

Anne & Valentin x Camille Walala: a collaboration highlight 2024

The Walaland Concept is a wild and fun collaboration created as a limited edition and launched this season – it demonstrates the artistic success of brand collaborations led by designers who are perfectly in tune

The Walaland concept is one of the latest collections released at Anne & Valentin, collaborating for the first time with the French artist Camille Walala, renowned for her colourful graphic language and giant murals. The frames explore the direct, colourful graphic languages of these two worlds in bold, block-like shapes highlighted by graphic bas-reliefs. The ‘Walaland’ frames are also characterised by asymmetrical temples and colours that pop as much as the shapes. Above: LALA III, an expressive oval design
“Our worlds are very similar; we share the same playful approach and love to play with shapes, circles, squares, and bright colours….” Camille Walala, French artist-designer
LALA 1 by Anne & Valentin x Camille Walala – “more city than countryside. Sculptural. Arty. Sulky. Blasé…..”

The collaboration collection features three models. The sunglasses style LALA 1 is a futuristic arcade pantos with an ultra-geometric form and hyper-structured round eye shape.

LALA 2 by Anne & Valentin x Camille Walala – colours are a highlight in this original collaboration

LALA II is a rectangular ‘bandeau’ style with broken angles and slightly inclined upper sides, rounded at the bottom. The style is dubbed the ideal shape for Luxury parties to glamping and “stepping outside the lines”.

This offbeat collection with bold colour and an expressive character running through every design is now available. Find out more at https://anneetvalentin.com

| Eyestylist 22nd December 2024

J.F. Rey 3089 – a combination style for men

The 3089 by French company J.F. Rey is part of a new series of titanium and acetate frames for men – designed for comfort and style

J.F. Rey has extended its so-called “Sledge Combi” design series with three new models, among them the 3089. The styles have titanium fronts embellished with an acetate inner rim, and temples equipped with the brand’s Combi Flex hinge: a screwless technology designed and patented by the J.F. Rey Design Studio. Carefully crafted from titanium and carbon fibers, this particular construction ensures stability and comfort, while offering refined and decorative originality. The frames are also equipped with long, adjustable temple tips, providing even more personalized comfort. Above: the 3089 by J.F. Rey has “a hybrid metal and acetate structure”

J.F. Rey 3089 – in brown

Combining minimalist inspiration with a sophisticated spirit, these versatile frames feature a masculine look that will suit different face shapes. They are available in harmonious graphic combinations, emphasizing the timeless elegance of a chic style with shades such as black, grey, blue, brown, and khaki.

J.F. Rey frames are designed in Marseille in France and are known particularly for the innovative use of materials, to create striking textures, colours and patterns to match individual style preferences. For more information visit www.jfrey.fr

| Eyestylist 17th December 2024

Outstanding handmade couture frames in 2024

3 of the best couture designs of the year

1. Cleto Munari gold jewellery glasses

Munari’s new gold frames are produced in 14 carat solid gold and are described as a natural continuation of Cleto Munari’s artistic exploration in the field of eyewear. The frames are made by hand in Vicenza, Italy, well known for its goldsmith traditions that give life to internationally praised jewellery of exceptional beauty. Beguiling and charming, the gold frames are exciting to look at as well as to wear! Their details such as little hands for nose pads will delight the eyewear connoisseur. They can also be customised with gemstones such as rubies or diamonds.  We have viewed these styles on launch at Silmo 2024 and they are the most spectacular frame designs in gold that we have seen launch this year. www.cletomunarieyewear.com

Hanabi by Lafont Paris x Sekimoto

2. Hanabi by Lafont Paris x Sekimoto

An astonishingly beautiful and romantic frame, shown at SILMO in 2024, the Hanabi design continues the story of Haute Couture eyewear at Lafont that began with Ouvrage in 2023, a frame that won the Jury’s Special Prize at SILMO. The Hanabi frame features an embroidery design with pearls and sequins created by hand through the artistry of Satoshi Sekimoto, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in haute couture embroidery. We have loved watching Satoshi at work in Silmo 2024, and by viewing the process it instantly becomes clear that there is a very complex artisan design process behind this statement sunglass style. Find out more at www.lafont.com

Rigards RG1061MOP

3. Rigards RG1061MOP

Another masterpiece, the RG1061M0P from Rigards features a circular frame in ethically sourced genuine horn with subtle fractal geometry and Mobius strip-like helixes which are signature elements at Rigards. An inlay of delicate mother-of-pearl features tiny pieces of the luminous linings of abalone shells cut into different shapes and embedded delicately in the lacquer in the side crescents of the frame. A timeless frame with extraordinary artisanal detailing. www.rigards.com

| Eyestylist 13th December 2024

Optical retailing: MYKITA in Monterrey

MYKITA has re-opened its Monterrey store in the Plaza O2 in San Pedro Garza García

Developed by the MYKITA in-house architecture team alongside local industrial designer Jorge Diego Etienne and his studio JDE design, the interior design of the newly opened store features sleek surfaces and refined materials, drawing inspiration from Monterrey’s industrial heritage. Inside, the store offers the usual range of optical services found in other stores owned by MYKITA, including eye testing, frame repair services and personalized style consultations.

Optical retailing: MYKITA store in Monterrey

The store also offers ZEISS prescription lenses, blue light lens coatings, and customised sun lenses, ensuring a variety eyewear needs are catered to. MYCARE represents MYKITA’s commitment to responsible design and conscious consumption by providing aftercare which extends the lifespan and enjoyment of its products.

The store is the latest addition to the other 13 MYKITA shops in cities around the world, including Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and Tokyo.

José Vasconcelos 150 PB-6D, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, 64260

www.mykita.com

To find out more about optical retailing on Eyestylist.com, visit the boutiques section at www.eyestylist.com/boutiques/