Eyestylist

MODEL S312-105

12th January 2011

LUNETTES FREDERIC BEAUSOLEIL

The play of light on these sunglasses is beautiful, and in the sunshine, they radiate a soft glow. Thin “stripes” of gold, black, grey and crystal delicately enhance the modified oval shape. Another colour version is red, gold and tortoise. This Beausoleil creation is a fine example of the subtle, understated frames that Fréderic Beausoleil has been designing since the mid 1980’s. They are a favourite of professionals, artists and actors who demand quality and performance in eyewear. Star quality, in a refined, elegant manner is the basis of Beausoleil’s inspiration.

www.beausoleil-eyewear.com

This month’s sunglass reviews are by Joan Grady and the optical reviews are by Clodagh Norton.

Design & Inspiration

Sports choice

12th January 2011

Vuarnet revival

An interesting new partnership, Vuarnet is now part-owned by Alain Mikli. The brand has been revamped and promises sports edge and serious design, with new technical activity-specific lenses including Citylynx, a lens offering visual comfort for town and city, and Skilynx, for winter sports and particularly skiing. Vuarnet by Mikli is available from 2011, and whilst a number of the styles are perfect for the slopes, the range also offers some very wearable designs for winter sun in the city.

And of course, Vuarnet Vintage styles are going to be in fashion for their wonderful classic shapes and French “flavour”. It’s a brand that has a strong heritage and has earned, without doubt, a prestigious place in sunglass design history.

Design & Inspiration

Decorative art

12th January 2011

Vera Wang Spring/Summer sunwear 2011

The Vera Wang sunwear collection launched for the S/S season exhibits great elegance. There is an emphasis on decoration, as expected from the bridal designer who has created dresses for many female celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Stone.

Each frame in this collection boasts stone clusters, golden accents and Swarovski crystals. Inspiration has been drawn from Wang’s jewellery range to bring an exquisite luxury to the sunglasses. Colours are subtle and feminine, with shades of merlot, iris and cabernet predominating. www.verawang.com CN

Design & Inspiration

Céline eyewear collection

12th January 2011

by Phoebe Philo

The Celine collection is attracting some serious attention from the fashion press, owing to British designer Phoebe Philo’s involvement…but also the line has some strong, gutsy vintage shapes such as the one pictured, with clever oversized proportions which give it the glamorous yet edgy feel. And of course the look works impeccably well with the masculine chic theme of some of the images in the shoot. Apparently it’s sold out in Browns in London so good luck if you’re on a hunt for these. Anyone who’s got one and wants to send us a picture, we’d love to see how it looks….unfortunately I’ve not had these in my hands but would love to see what the details are like, the retail price in the UK is “from £180″.

Boutiques

Maison Bonnet, Paris

12th January 2011

PARISIAN EYEWEAR, FIT FOR A KING

We will be reviewing optical boutiques regularly; we plan to find some of the most exciting stores across the world. One of my favourites in Paris is Maison Bonnet, a fabulous optical find in a charming, historical area of the city. This chic little shop, located between the Palais Royal and The Bourse, is situated in Passage des Deux-Pavillions. Old Paris and history leap out at you upon entering this cosy oasis, designed in warm chocolate tones.

Maison Bonnet has its own special history. A family business that began in 1930, they create bespoke, exquisitely crafted frames in tortoiseshell, their speciality. Heads of state, Princes and Princesses, politicians and business tycoons, all wear Bonnet frames. Maria Callas and Onassis reportedly had artisanal designs created to their specifications. (more…)

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Eyestylist

MODEL S312-105

LUNETTES FREDERIC BEAUSOLEIL

Sports choice

Vuarnet revival

Decorative art

Céline eyewear collection

Maison Bonnet, Paris

PARISIAN EYEWEAR, FIT FOR A KING