Eyestylist

Innovation and Inspiration Highlight Frame Styles

17th September 2012  Entries are arriving daily for the Newcomer Awards, and we are excited about the designs we have seen, plus discovering the motivation and inspiration that the eyewear creators put into their frames. Today we present designs and comments from Monoqool in Denmark, and Coppe+Sid in England.

Henrik Holbaek and Claus Jensen are the design team behind the Danish brand Monoqool, launched in 2010. “With our first collection, we started our pursuit to be the most innovative eyewear company. We came up with the ingenious spiral hinge (photo above, Radar), a hinge made completely with screws and soldering. Form follows function. A simple, but very innovative approach to eyewear.” www.monoqool.com

Sid Fiz is an optician; Coppe Gualtiero has extensive experience in sales, development and export, and their joint talents led to the creation of Coppe+Sid. “Our collection is a contemporary recreation of a timeless collection put together with skilled, traditional handcrafting, and new production techniques. The collection is a cross-cultural design reference for a distinguished, refined, and cosmopolitan aesthetic.” www.coppeandsid.co.uk

In the following weeks, we’ll be presenting designs submitted from other independent creators –  we’re delighted with the broad scope of the entries!  Winners will be announced at Hall of Frames in Stuttgart, 22nd October. www.hallofframes.ch JG

An Italian Adventure by Blue Magic Eye

14th September 2012 Italian designers Ciro Tugnoli and Guya Montermini (above) have themed their new eyewear collection around a mysterious treasure hunt. It’s a fun adventure based in Bologna, the historical city where Guya and Ciro were born, live, create their frames, and a city they love. “The Italian landscape was chosen for this project to transmit our values, and the true importance of ‘handmade in Italy'”, say the designers. The hunt is planned by a young man for his girlfriend, as they tour Bologna’s Old City, and discover wonderful little shops and landmarks – plus great new frames from the “Euforia” collection.

Metal and acetate combine harmoniously in the frames – some featuring beautiful Mazzuchelli acetates from 1970 that Guya found in an abandoned factory. “Euforia” and other lovely designs by Blue Magic Eye will be on display at Hall of Frames in Zurich next month.  www.bluemagiceye.com Hall of Frames Zurich 14th and 15th October 2012 www.hallofframes.ch JG

12th September 2012 Tortoise styles are looking so beautiful for the new season and they are plentiful. Here are 3 picks showing the variety you can find if this is your pattern of choice. For classic, this easy retro shape from new label Fan Optics (above) – model Brock, is refined and not too heavy, a lovely accessory for the start of the season. Choose from dark tortoiseshell with elegant yellow highlights, or a green blue tortoise that is more like a marbled effect in the acetate. www.fanoptics.co.uk

Emmanuelle Khanh Paris sent me a few examples of their tortoise pieces including classic panto spectacles and bold 80s and 90s shades. Strong on its retro roots, this design below boasts a golden chain detail, a showy but vibrant and exciting detail if you can carry it off. Fine detailing in gold such as studs and chains are very much a part of the mix right now. www.emmanuellekhanhparis.com

If a whole tortoise style is too dark or busy for your complexion and style, look at designs that use tortoise in interesting colour combinations. At Zanzan, this neat Limited Edition crystal/tortoise design (excellent for smaller faces) – style Mizaru – brings a touch of the unexpected; the sides are a thick, chunky, brightly contrasted acetate to set off the transparent crystal front and dark grey lens. Also very now! See this one close up at www.farfetch.com

For more on Zanzan on Eyestylist.com, visit www.eyestylist.com/2012/08/autumnwinter-moods-at-zanzan/ CN

Zoobug’s fun and trendy new optical frames

10th September 2012 Kids will love wearing the new prescription eyewear from Zoobug’s very desirable collection. Taking a cue from trendsetting styles, the retro-inspired specs are available in acetate or metal, with shapes designed to delight youngsters – ‘Harry Potter’ circular styles, along with vintage and trendy geek-chic models, such as Ollie in the above photo.

The colours appeal to the young set as well – red, sunny yellow, purple/mauve, plus autumnal classics in tortoise, navy and black. Quality is keynote at Zoobug, with durable designs, that feature flex hinges – definitely child-friendly! www.zoobug.com JG