Eyestylist

Tuba

l.a eyeworks

Eyewear designers Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds were among the first to create exciting frames in unexpected colourations. That was in the early 1980’s, and since then, loyal followers (including me!) around the globe seek their colour adventures in frames. The California-based design team are a wellspring of unique ideas for eyewear. Elton John and Arnold Schwarzenegger head a star-studded list of wearers who covet the flare, fashion and fit that is an essential with every frame. Tuba is a good example of Gai and Barbara’s creativity with modern shaping and experimental use of colour. Creamy, soft buttery acetate is counter coloured with rich chocolate sculpted along the bold brow – it’s subtle and chicly sophisticated. The frame is also available in an elegant blue on blue and black and green. You can find fashion forward frames by l.a.eyeworks in London at Mallon & Taub on Marylebone High Street and Ste Maral optic in Paris. JG  www.laeyeworks.com

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Vanessa & Mehdi 1003-1007

Vanessa & Mehdi

Vanessa & Mehdi design frames with amazing engineering feats. In 2007, they won a coveted Silmo D’Or (an Oscar equivalent in eyewear) and they bring a unique style to their creations, with ethereal, futuristic elements combined with technological innovation. Their frames have a mechanism designed in mould-injected metal that ensures a micrometric adjustment, so that every frame has a customized fit for the temples and frame front. The lenses on these particularly distinctive frames, give the illusion of “floating”, and purple is just one of several delicious colours in which these frames are available.You can find these frames and other innovative designs by Vanessa & Mehdi at Blanco Optica in Valladolid, Spain and Optique Milbert in Remich, Luxembourg. JG  www.vanessaetmehdi.com

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Baldi

Zuërihorn

A favourite treat when I’m in Switzerland is to watch (and listen!) to the cows on the hill above the mountain village where I’m fortunate to stay. Cows are one of the inspirations for the exclusive, recently launched Swiss frame company – Zuërihorn. A creative team of four – Jonas Herde, Livio Notaro, Patrick Basler and Daniel Ferrari – have launched a stunning collection of handmade frames in South American water buffalo horn and Italian silk. Yes, silk. Fine silk is painstakingly worked into the razor-thin horn layers. The result is an exquisite luxury frame that is a mixture of artisanal traditions and modern technology. Baldi, in smooth, polished horn, is sculpted into a classic shape that men particularly like to wear. The piece de resistance is carved into the sidepieces– three little 18K gold cows on each side. Irresistible! Available at Götte Optik in Zurich: www.goetteoptik.ch and L’Osservatorio Venturi SRL, Via Flaminia Vecchia, Rome. JG

For more information, check out www.zuerihorn.ch

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Flirt

Lafont Paris

This frame lives up to its name! Flirt is a design with playful charm and style, in acetate and titanium, created by Lafont, the French company with a noble heritage. Edging close to ninety years of Parisian optical history, the family owned firm is an oasis for distinctive, creative eyewear. This particular frame is modern, feminine and boasts intricate details in the lacy pattern of titanium over caramel acetate. Other colour combinations include violet and black, and a very flirtatious red and black. I wear Lafont frames, and appreciate the uniqueness of the designs, the comfort, and the wonderful service that is available in their four Parisian shops, and at Optik Mayer in Munich. JG

Check out further details on www.lafont.com.

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

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Accessories with a modern twist

Necklaces, spectacle cases and decorative lorgnettes… 

I have enjoyed finding these colourful eyewear accessories, by some of the specialists in decorative spectacle chains, lorgnettes and cases. Filao Paris is run by Caroline Abram, who shows great creative talent in designing these beautiful pieces, but also now creates her own sunglasses and specs…Caroline uses a variety of materials for the jewellery and accessories, including wood, crystals and felt…Filao Paris has its headquarters in Paris…the creations are put together in a Senagalese workshop, supporting members of the local community. www.filaoparis.com

Also featured here is a young, vibrant company from Spain called Flippan Look (Image 3.) which is specialising in contemporary lorgnettes that can be worn as jewellery around the neck. www.flippanlook.com

French eyewear brand Face à Face has, for some years now, produced a range of chains and necklaces (Image 5.) which coordinate with the company’s stunning frames and sunglasses. They use a variety of materials, acetates that match the glasses, to lovely metals including silver.  www.faceaface-paris.com CN

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Images 1. Filao Paris  2. Filao Paris  3. Flippan Look  4. Filao Paris  5. Face à Face  6. Filao Paris.