Eyestylist

  | Eyestylist 23rd February 2024

GIGI STUDIOS unveils architect-designed HQ

The open plan space was designed by Isern Serra

GIGI STUDIOS’ new headquarters, designed by architect Isern Serra, has been created to convey the contemporary essence of GIGI STUDIOS and the concepts of quality, craftsmanship and sustainability. Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona, Spain), the 1200 m2 area has been transformed into a serene, warm and elegant space that, without losing sight of functionality, moves away from traditional office design. Above: view towards the new showroom, a unique space in which to receive guests and clients – photography by Salva Lopez

Gigi Studios – showroom – the eyewear collection takes centre stage

The new headquarters occupies an entire floor of an office building with four façades and a rectangular floor plan. The warehouse, logistics and quality control departments have remained in the former headquarters, where they have been expanded over a larger area.

“The new office is a dream come true. A space that is much more than an office or a corporate headquarters and it will be the stage and hub for the new products and events we are organising…” Patricia Ramo, CEO and creative director, GIGI STUDIOS

The showroom is divided into two areas, one for exhibiting the collections and the other for meetings; these areas have been conceived to offer a minimalist atmosphere, giving the collections centre stage. The product is visible on two large sculptural tables that serve as displays. These concrete tables are supported by two pieces of Roman travertine marble carved by artisans in the local Barbany quarry. On the ceiling, circular lighting illuminates the space, and at the back, a tiered piece of furniture serves as a display. Large backlit shelves house the collection and the unique mirrored cabinet hides a large screen.

Meeting area in the vast showroom at GIGI STUDIOS

The renowned architect Isern Serra, who had previously been in charge of the pop-up store in Ibiza and the trade fair stand, designed the minimalist atmosphere and Mediterranean touches. “The idea we wanted to convey most in the space is creativity. All the elements have been custom-designed as if they were small works of art”, explains Serra. “Therefore, each large area of the new GIGI STUDIOS location is conceived from a large custom-designed sculptural object. In the west area, there is a large circular stainless steel sofa with a double function: on the inside, it is a sofa, and on the outside, it is a work table and storage for design books. This large piece is a welcoming element and a stylistic statement that invites you to let yourself be surprised.” For more information visit https://gigistudios.com

  | Eyestylist 22nd February 2024

Ultra-thin eyewear: Blackfin AirGlass – Mavericks

Ultra-thin pure mineral glass lenses by Barberini paired with lightweight titanium Blackfin Mavericks

Just out at Blackfin for 2024, the two Italian companies, Blackfin and Barberini, have combined their expertise to introduce a design product which balances lightness and quality. Weighing just 9 grams more than equivalent plastic lenses, Blackfin AirGlass is designed to propose a new lens experience which eliminates distortion and aberrations and neutralises glare and reflections to minimise eye fatigue. The new lenses are offered in a selection of Blackfin frames, including Blackfin’s new sleek unisex Mavericks frame. Above: close-up of the new Blackfin Airglass polarised lenses, featured in the Mavericks frame

Blackfin Airglass – Mavericks, pictured in light gold/brown fuchsia ultra-thin mirror lenses: a fusion of avant-garde design and cutting-edge lens technology

The Mavericks are part of the Blackfin Pacific Series, a collection by the Italian titanium specialists which presents a modern minimalist design style. The technicians at Blackfin skillfully produce the entire front of the frame from a single 3mm block of titanium, eliminating unnecessary welds. Other micro-components are integrated into the front, adding continuity and refinement to the frame’s aesthetic. Find out more about the frame at https://www.blackfin.eu/en-us/sunglasses#5PR1039S52C1661-BF1039_MAVERICKS

  | Eyestylist 20th February 2024

Eyewear Trends: mood-lifting blues for Spring

Eyewear trends – Blue tones have taken on fresh appeal in eyewear for the 2024 Spring/Summer season coming up, with playful combinations, pale and dark choices, and translucent and opaque tonal variations adding nuance to the palette ….

Flattering blue tones have caught our eye this month. The latest collections we reviewed at Mido in Milan this month made a feature of an interesting variety of blue colour stories with a definite influence from glowing catwalk tones where different blues were paired together, and light turquoise and dark elegant navy were just as popular for a Springtime re-fresh. Above: Policromie from Lamarca Eyewear in Italy: a men’s collection which plays with elegant inserts and transparencies; two blue tones are combined gracefully in one design – model 140. https://lamarcaeyewear.com

Lady Slipper by OGI Eyewear in a colour way called blue/blue robin tortoise

OGI Eyewear’s beautifully named Lady Slipper “butterfly” design is named after a Minnesota flower. The Blue/Blue robin tortoise colourway is on point in the delicacy of the blue tones selected in the combo – a colour pairing that highlights a blue flecked tortoise with an artistic touch on the brow. www.ogieeyewear.com

A light, sky blue: Mia by Kirk and Kirk

Produced in acrylic with Alpaca temples, the Mia sunglasses at Kirk and Kirk offer a sleek statement cat’s eye design. The Royal tone of blue featured has an attractive delicately opaque finish. www.kirkandkirk.com

Otaru by Gigi Studios – Icons Collection

The Otaru style in the Icons collection at Gigi Studios expresses a classic timeless design style in bio acetate. The frame comes in a choice of colours including this masculine blue variation, which has a crystal translucency. https://gigistudios.com

Turquoise trend: RSF’s model Ambos Petrolium

Bright turquoise and tranquil teal tones are also in vogue for the summer. The Ambos style by Retrosuperfuture is a good example, elegant, playful, and designed as a modern twist of 1950s attitude. The frame is available in this playful turquoise blue toned acetate with a contrasting burgundy lens – for a fashionable twist. www.retrosuperfuture.com

Combining colours: Reeds 2 by FACE A FACE Japan Now! collection; an example of combined tones using blue with red

The curves of the delicate model Reeds at FACE A FACE are inspired by the aesthetic of reeds originating from a Japanese landscape. A fine, sharp line of constant width runs from the eye to the endpiece, giving this design its delicacy and rigorous crafting. Meanwhile the blue colour scheme is highlighted with a coral line around a section of the rim. www.faceaface-paris.com Watch this space for more details on trends and directions in eyewear. This feature was written by Clodagh Norton at Eyestylist.com. All rights reserved.

  | Eyestylist 17th February 2024

Eyewear trends: Erker’s 1879 – fresh in for Spring

The Forsyth sunglasses are back in new limited-edition colours in custom acetate 

Known for its distinctive heritage style, US independent eyewear label Erker’s have just announced new colours in the STL Flag collection, a line which was created in homage to the city of St. Louis. Part of this edition, the Forsyth sunglasses represent one of the sophisticated thick rimmed styles in the selection, designed with a wide frame, and a rounded nose bridge, features which make it particularly well suited to larger faces.  Above: the Forsyth sunglasses in Crystal – a masculine sunglass design – ideal and flattering for larger face shapes

Eyewear trends: Forsyth sunglasses by Erker’s 1879 – pictured in Sugarfly

Erker’s is well known for its 48-step manufacturing process, with an attention to detail and authentic craftsmanship that deserves special mention – as a signature of the collections that the Erker family has been perfecting for 145 years. The details in a frame such as the Forsyth include special authentic rivets produced in the traditional way, and a sophisticated finish to the acetate material which is polished by means of a proprietary hand polishing technique.

The Forsyth sunglasses in matt olive tort tones

Originally introduced with four colours in Autumn 2021, this new release doubles the colorways of the Forsyth sunglass with four additional blends: Crystal, Matte Olive Tort, Sugarfire, and White Black.

Like each frame from Erker’s 1879, the sunglasses model is also built with a custom 3-rivet German hinge engraved with their year of inception on the end, which can be seen through the translucent faces of the Crystal and Sugarfire blends. The Crystal, Peach, and Matte Olive Tort colours also display the custom-designed wire core along their translucent temples, which give strength and flexibility to each acetate frame from the collection. As part of the STL Flag collection, each new piece features a gold emblem of the St. Louis flag inlaid on the temple tips, inspired by the family’s rich history in their hometown. Erker’s 1879 will be exhibiting in London at 100% Optical – the UK trade only eyewear event – from 24th to 26th February 2024. For more information, visit www.erkers1879.com

  | Eyestylist 15th February 2024

EYESTYLIST Exclusive: The art of Rigards x Ziggy Chen

Two handmade designs are announced in the collaboration for 2024

Rigards has reunited with Ziggy Chen to create a dual release synergizing eyewear and high fashion. Defined by bold and assured silhouettes, the two co-branded frames were conceived as a response to a unique challenge: eyewear that will not only style well with hats, but equally will not be easily dislodged. The designers found inspiration, in particular, in the mountaineering style and oversized climbing shades of the 1980s.

The model RG1941ZC ‘Z-Goggle’ naturally resurrects the spirit of 1980s alpine goggles, and is described as having a directional yet easy edge. This titanium frame features ‘staircasing’ stepped curves, a signature architectural element that demonstrates evolutionary continuity to the preceding installment in this collaborative series. The stepped profiles fan out onto the side-shields, their small undulation further articulating the geometric presence and creating subtle shadow-play. The double-sided guilloché flourish on the temples enhances grip and lessens slipping from desired positions, the characteristic texture again circling back to the overarching imagery of nāgas and serpents. Above: Rigards x Ziggy Chen edition: RG1941ZC ‘Z-Goggle’ 

RIGARDS x Ziggy Chen Edition: RG1940ZC ‘Z-Horn’

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between RIGARDS and Ziggy Chen, a milestone the designers saw as a timely chance to revisit natural horn, the material that set the ball rolling for the creative collaboration. Reimagining in fuller proportions the calligraphic associations behind their earliest work, they designed an atypical pantos model RG1940ZC ‘Z-Horn’ , the simplicity of its exaggerated form a reference to broad, impassioned Eastern brushstrokes, but also smooth, bevel-edged inkstones. Titanium lens cages, an exclusive feature, are engraved with guilloché, with a scale-like pattern that represents a nod to the imminent Year of the Dragon.

RIGARDS x Ziggy Chen RG1940ZC and RG1941ZC are set to launch in-stores in Q3 of 2024, in 7 and 5 elegant colours, respectively. Each pair comes with a stitch-free origami case, made from a single piece of vegetable-tanned Santa Croce leather. Find out more at www.rigards.com – copyright applies. All rights reserved.