Eyestylist

Daniel Barenboim at La Scala, Milan

Legendary Pianist Performs Schubert

Daniel Barenboim is not only an amazing musician, pianist and conductor, he is an amazing person.  At the age of ten, he gave his first international solo concerts in Vienna and Rome. His conducting debut was in 1967 in London, with the Philharmonia Orchestra.  For eighteen years, he conducted at Bayreuth, the prestigious summer festival devoted to Richard Wagner. Oxford University bestowed an honorary doctorate in 2007, and he is renowned for the creation of the Western-Eastern Orchestra, with the Palestinian literary scholar, Edward Said. Young musicians in this ensemble perform internationally every summer.  Barenboim’s book Everything is Connected reveals his “raison d’être” and belief that music brings people together. Run, don’t walk, to get a ticket for this evening of piano music by the acclaimed maestro.  His fluid style and skillful interpretations are memorable.  Sunday 13 March JG www.teatroallascala.org

March issue: reporting from London, Paris…and Milan

 

Welcome to our third  edition where we take a style journey to Milan, as we are visiting MIDO,  the largest exhibition of all optical fairs which takes place in March each year. So a selection of our stories this month focus on Italy.

Meanwhile, due to enthusiastic feedback from our new readers, we will be posting regularly throughout March..we will be picking out some of the exciting pieces we preview in Milan, as well as reporting on what we believe are some of the treats in store for Spring/Summer 2011.

  | Eyestylist 10th March 2011

Spring has arrived, long may it last

‘Trees’ Series – Theo by Tim Van Steenbergen

24th March, 2011 Here is one my favourite new sunglass collections for Spring/Summer…the ‘Trees’ Series from Theo by Tim Van Steenbergen. The radiant colours are inspired by nature and the metal temple refers to the structure and textured patterns of a tree trunk. This concept is reflected in the names of the sunglasses…Oak, Beech, Pine, Maple Spruce and Ash.

Belgian fashion designer Tim Van Steenbergen (www.timvansteenbergen.com) has created a clothing collection which tells the story of “the lady gardener,” who loves nature and likes to be a part of it. The designer is inspired by the way flowers and plants move and grow.  The same ideas are developed in the ‘Trees’ Series. Just as in the fabrics, various natural colours reappear in the glasses – for example, green and brown. He also refers to natural materials such as horn, wood and marble. Sparkling floral colours such as red, purple and coral complete the range of colours.

To complement the luxurious design of the series, Theo has chosen Zeiss sun lenses for quality UV protection. The lenses feature a “rock-hard” 5-layer antireflection coating. A very special addition to a very creative and beautiful collection. CN

www.theo.be

  | Eyestylist 10th March 2011

Anne et Valentin

Trend Watch: Round is here to stay

22nd March 2011 After viewing the new collections in Milan this month, I realised that the round styles that are having a revival just now are likely to be here for some time. We have reviewed a number of special interpretations of this shape earlier this month, and since then I’ve been looking out for more ideas on how to wear this look today…one of the brands that has incredible images of French women in designs on this theme is the very chic French label Anne et Valentin.

This memorable photograph (above) shows beautifully the way in which this French company has captured a design of the past with a strong retro flavour and brought it into the present. The frame featured here is called Buren; it is a totally brilliant statement design, that converts the intellectual overtones of this shape into glamour and style. To see more inspirational imagery from the look book by Anne et Valentin, including many soft, feminine oval and round shapes for 2011/12, visit the website www.anneetvalentin.com CN

  | Eyestylist 8th March 2011

Persol Roadster

A Limited Edition from the legendary sunglass brand

19th March 2011 Inspired by the Roadster sports car and its details, such as the rounded shapes of the car’s air vents, the Persol Roadster is a new release available in two models (GT and TF) and five colours. It is an aviator in acetate with a special riveted metal feature on the top of the front piece which ties in with the classic metal hinge. A sturdy design with the traits you’d expect from a Persol classic, each of these is said to take around 30 days to produce and undergoes “between thirty-five and thirty-seven manual steps” before completion. I have popped in to David Clulow today to take a look at the style – the combination of classic Persol features with new contemporary design details plus the Photo-Polar (polarized/photochromic) lenses works well. To get a feel for this frame, and to view it from all angles visit the link www.persol.com/uk/collections/roadster/ft. Retailing at £234.00 in David Clulow. CN