Eyestylist

Reframing the conversation – EYECONS Agency Eyewear Event, Soho Works, NYC

21st March 2024

The evening event was arranged by Tarrence Lackran, founder and CEO of EYECONS Agency, and connected independent eyewear creatives with the world of Soho House

EYECONS Agency, headed by Tarrence Lackran, hosted an eyewear panel and product showcase event at Soho Works DUMBO (Soho House NYC) last Thursday, highlighting the work of independent designers in the business and their unique experiences for Soho House members and industry professionals, influencers and members of the press. The event marks the first time that the renowned eyewear designers have come together to speak directly to the general public about their profession and how their careers have evolved touching on many aspects of design, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as their vision for the future. Above: in conversation, from left, Anna-Karin Karlsson, Tarrence Lackran, Selima Salaun, and Coco and Breezy Dotson

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The panel included Coco and Breezy Dotson, founders of Coco And Breezy Eyewear; Selima Salaun, founder and creative director of Selima Optique – the NYC optical emporium with four locations across the city; and Anna-Karin Karlsson, the Swedish founder of luxury eyewear brand, Anna-Karin Karlsson Eyewear. Tarrence Lackran was moderating the discussion which touched on some fascinating topics including how the designers show their culture in their eyewear designs.

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Left: Selima Salaun, eyewear designer and the creative vision behind Selima Optique, pictured with Lackran

Tarrence Lackran told Eyestylist: “Celebrating innovation and style in eyewear, our recent panel event at Soho Works is part of EYECONS Agency’s ongoing commitment to bringing eyewear content to fashion enthusiasts both in and outside of the eyewear industry.

As we continue to champion creativity and craftsmanship, we’re committed to shaping the future of vision, by reframing the conversation around eyewear. We look forward to continuing these discussions with other consumer facing groups.”

Guest tries on Anna-Karin Karlsson’s Crystal Mirage. Karlsson describes her designs as her “poems dressed as eyewear”

The EYECONS Agency Eyewear event took place at Soho Works, Soho House, Dumbo, New York City – https://www.sohohouse.com/soho-works/55-water . Photography courtesy of @jcrdan and @shotbycaitlyn. For more information about EYECONS Agency visit https://www.eyeconsagency.com

For more information about the eyewear designers featured, visit their respective websites: www.annakarinkarlsson.com / www.selimaoptique.com / www.cocoandbreezy.com

Reviews

French eyewear: Graphicolor at J.F. REY

20th March 2024

At the French eyewear brand, the concept in acetate for 2024 is bright and bold, with a graphic aesthetic

Exploring new ways of working with acetate laminations for both the fronts and temples of every style, the new concept at J.F. REY entitled “Graphicolor” this season focuses on fluid or contrasting graphic lines, with a wide range of colour combinations punctuated by fresh hues. Above: a selection of styles in the Graphicolor collection

JF1549 by J.F. REY – an angular shape in a purple/red acetate combo

The colour palette includes flattering shiny finishes and subtle transparencies designed to suit all faces. Pastel shades such as pink and blue, pops of mint green and fashion patterns or touches of purple – see JF1549 above – are all featured with details adding a refreshing and modern accent to the collection.

JF1551 by J.F. REY – asymmetry in the colour details, creating a playful mood

Notable in the collection are the asymmetrical details such as the topline of colour introduced in JF1551 – on the left, with an amber crystal shade and on the right, a delicate lilac. While less usual, the colours combine harmoniously to create a look that feels natural and refined. To find out more about the collection visit www.jfrey.fr

Arts + travel

Art inspiration: Corridoio by Nathalie Du Pasquier

19th March 2024

Milan Design Week artist preview: MoscaPartners will present Corridoio by Nathalie Du Pasquier – art and design join forces in a site-specific installation for the entrance of Design Variations 2024

From 15^th to 21^stApril 2024 MoscaPartners will welcome visitors to Design Variations 2024 with the site-specific installation Corridoio by the French, naturalized Italian, artist Nathalie Du Pasquier at the entrance to the 2,500m²space of the ex-garage in Viale Gorizia 14 at the heart of Milan’s Darsena area.

The artist has created a work especially for the entrance corridor made up of twelve large, decorative panels printed on MEG. This versatile material produced by Abet Laminati is resistant to light and harsh weather conditions making it perfect for outdoor use and the building sector. The installation, which was designed specifically for this location, will create a boldly graphic tunnel with vivid colour contrasts that will guide the visitor into an imaginary world. Above: Corridoio by Nathalie Du Pasquier – one of 12 large panels created for the space

Like previous editions, the artwork will not be limited to Milan Design Week but will be given a second life to ensure the continuity and dissemination of art through sustainable projects.

About Nathalie Du Pasquier – Nathalie Du Pasquier was born in Bordeaux (France) in 1957 and she has lived in Milan since 1979. Until 1986 she worked as a designer and was a founder member of Memphis. She designed numerous “decorated surfaces”: textiles, carpets, plastic laminates, and some furniture and objects. In 1987, painting became her main activity. Find out more about the artist: https://nathaliedupasquier.com

Images provided courtesy of MoscaPartners and the artist.

Reviews

A shared vision: SALT. Optics x Black Bear collaboration

15th March 2024

A new collaboration design at SALT. Optics launches this weekend at Loft in New York City…

A new collaboration edition created by SALT. Optics with the American Black Bear brand represents the culmination of a connection between two labels which align with particular similarities in their approach to design and quality manufacture.

Named the Sirlin collection after Creative Director of Black Bear Joshua Sirlin, the sunglasses have been conceived to offer a harmonious fusion of refinement and ruggedness, complexity and simplicity. Three colours have been created with a number of signature features in the model, ranging from custom laminated temples with visible gold cores, custom 8mm thick acetate fronts and SALT.’s custom hardware such as visible pins on front/temples finished in 24k gold. The SALT. Optics team explains that this is the first time that they have used precious metal to create the hardware. Each design is provided with a robust branded custom case and Black Bear ‘branded’ cleaning cloth. Above: Josh Sirlin, Creative Director of Black Bear wears the new sunglass edition (above and below)

“The Sirlin represents both brands’ commitment to the art of craftsmanship, and the spirit of adventure and discovery…” SALT. Optics

The SALT. Optics x Black Bear model pictured in colour “Bone”

About Black Bear – Black Bear is committed to time-proven materials and workmanship free of compromise creating pieces that will last a life time. The Black Bear Manufacturing Company was founded in 1918 making blue denim overalls. Josh Sirlin has reinvigorated the brand for modern day, restoring the lost legacy, and honouring frontier roots to achieve products that are created to be “ruggedly refined”. The range of products today includes denim apparel, footwear, hats and accessories. www.blackbearbrand.com / www.saltoptics.com

Design + Inspiration

Eyewear trends: multicoloured effect

13th March 2024

Eyestylist.com – Now, more than ever, a patterned frame speaks volumes….our gorgeous selection of multicoloured designs is a tiny taste of a developing story

A complex patchwork of several colours combined together or a stunning acetate material with microscopic colour compositions, these new designs for Spring/Summer are characterised by a playful expression of multiple colours – some presenting analogous hues and others exploring contrasts in tones. The effects, which are closely linked to the tradition of tortoiseshell, Havana, marbleized or striated prints in acetate materials, offer a new modern aesthetic direction through the introduction of fashion-infused tones and surprising tonal combinations. Above: FACE A FACE model CARAR 2 in a colour combination called “Tortoise Granite Blue” – the frame has a patterned front with a red pop of colour on the top combined with bright blue temples – www.faceaface-paris.com

The modern qualities of the coloured acetate are perfectly illustrated in model Presto by Lafont Paris, one of several designs offering a multicoloured effect at the French eyewear brand this season. The attractive classic eye shape is available in a colourway that combines splashes of bright pink, several bold shades of blue and transparent crystal tones creating an artistic “fragmented” pattern with multiple “dots”.

Also among our picks of the season, model Pleyel is produced in an acetate with a more linear arrangement, with horizontal striations in an orange and bright purple mix. The electric pink temples add to the dramatic effect of colour. www.lafont.com

Eat Street by OGI Eyewear – featuring a distinctive linear pattern across the frame front

At OGI Eyewear, the Spring/Summer collection explores rich colour details – in charismatic eyewear shapes. Model Eat Street is an example of one of the premium acetate frames in the range, a combination of a distinctive angular round shape with warm marbled colours “full of dimension and grace.”

Lake Superior by OGI Eyewear in Blue Tort / Robin Blue Tortoise

Model Lake Superior – with its interesting geometric brow and rounded lower edge – comes in custom hand-laminated acetates which, across this collection, combine colour stories that are tasteful, expressive and eye-catching in a crowd. Find out more at www.ogieyewear.com – This trends feature was written for EYESTYLIST.COM – All rights reserved.

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