Eyestylist

Frames of 2023: Rigards x Uma Wang UW14

4th December 2023

“Opulence that’s hidden, like frescoes inside a grotto…” — Angelo Flaccavento; UMA WANG Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Paris Fashion Week

For those who follow the work of Rigards, the UW14 is one of 2023’s must-try pieces. Its somewhat exotic Buddhist art inspiration – the flying apsaras at the Mogao Caves – are supernatural figures with swirling draperies and flowing sashes, all details of which informed both the organic lines of the bridge of the spectacles and the two detachable chains, which not only transform into an eyeglass necklace, but can also fasten onto the temples to appear like pseudo rope chain earrings. Above: Rigards x Uma Wang UW14

To complement the frame’s distilled silhouette, strong-but-light titanium is used to achieve a structure that is lithe and graceful. The colours of the metal, of which there are four, are completely restrained in delicate matt finishes.

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RIGARDS x Uma Wang – the frame has an unusual dipped bridge design and nose pads that are directed upwards from the lower rim of the round eye shapes

RIGARDS has collaborated with Uma Wang through multiple editions in a variety of materials which have included stainless steel, natural stone inserts, titanium, aluminium and wood. The two brands have developed a synergy in their spectacles collaboration which produces one-of-a-kind, natural eyewear designs with a consistently remarkable appearance, colour and finish. Find out more at www.rigards.com / www.umawang.com – Copyright by kind permission of Rigards and Uma Wang

Design + Inspiration

Colour trends on Eyestylist: greens and browns are in

29th November 2023

As the temperatures drop and we head towards the December holiday season, green and brown eyewear tones for men are enjoying a special moment

Whether it’s the ongoing love of nature-inspired colours in the world around us (leaf, stone, woodgrain, horn and earthy hues) or fashion’s influence – deep tones of green and brown for eyewear make an exquisite match for the menswear collections (tops, trousers, trainers “beef and broccoli” style) we’re seeing right now, and those warm heavier fabrics, cosy fleeces and thick knits in store. Above: in the Seraphin collection by OGI Eyewear, model Brookside illustrates how winter apparel can be perfectly styled with a new frame in tones which fuse with the overall look – think tortoise, brown, khaki, mocca and many close variations of these greens and browns. www.ogieyewear.com

SALT. Optics perfectly replicates natural tones of the Californian scenery in the colour palette of their acetate styles. Model Pacific by SALT. Optics in Whiskey is informed by the grand scale of the beautiful Coast Mountains; the Pacific provides a bold oversized rectangular style that serves anyone looking to make a structured statement while maintaining a tailored silhouette and professional look. Handcrafted in Japan utilizing functional rivet hinges, the highest quality 8mm Japanese acetate, and featuring proprietary colours only found at SALT. www.saltoptics.com

Model Clyde is a 3D printed Polyamide frame in the Dimension collection at Götti Switzerland, with rounded edges and a narrow profile. The mocca colour appears frequently in the Götti Switzerland eyewear collections. www.gotti.ch

For the Wodso style, MOREL places focus on craftsmanship and seamlessly combining three materials into a premium finish. The wooden temples incorporate a slim metal blade and acetate sleeves, offering a masculine, comfortable, well-crafted product. www.morel-france.com

Señor SNR by Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses

The ‘Señor SNR’ sunglasses by Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses bridge the gap between classic and contemporary, the subtle sixties styling carry it effortlessly into any twenty first century wardrobe for guys with a love of good design. The frame is timeless and comfortable and the colours deliver as a compliment to this season’s most fashionable men’s apparel. Colours we’d recommend include Tortoise Split, Tokyo Tokyo (pictured) and the beautiful green variation, Seafoam + Champagne – www.olivergoldsmith.com

Larch Sun by Andy Wolf – the green tone is one that most people can wear and it is overtaking some more usual winter tones in eyewear right now

Andy Wolf’s focus on the big and bold looks with wide temples – for men and women – is further enhanced with a palette of warm or wintery colours such as green and brown – sun model Larch or optical style frame 4621 are good examples in this range of frames that are working this modern look and vibe. www.andy-wolf.com

This feature was written by Clodagh Norton for www.eyestylist.com – Copyright protected.

Design + Inspiration

TVR®OPT: first rimless edition featuring Sterling Silver

28th November 2023

Eyestylist Exclusive : The Japanese eyewear label has created a rimless edition in sterling silver, designed by Tsubota Masato – details in the collection are inspired by ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics alongside Art Deco elements

After years of planning and meticulous production, TVR®OPT has revealed this month that they are unveiling their TVR®OPT Rimless Collection (TVR®536), the brand’s first ever rimless eyewear made in premium sterling silver. The collection is the result of a collaboration between TVR®OPT and Tsubota Masato, an eyewear designer who has many years’ experience designing for both Japanese and American eyewear brands. The release of the edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of the sought-after Japanese eyewear label.

TVR®OPT sterling silver rimless eyewear; details have been inspired by Art Deco references and Egyptian Hieroglyphics

“I have been seeing people wear rimless for over 40 years, and I felt it would be something interesting to bring back into the TVR®OPT Luxury collection. The idea was sparked when Onami-san spoke to me saying that he wanted something luxurious and timeless.” — Tsubota Masato, designer

The Japanese eyewear designer Tsubota Masato joined the TVR®OPT Japan team in 2012, and has been responsible for the redesign of most of the TVR®OPT collections since the beginning. With his expertise and experience, he has managed to reimagine Japanese archive pieces for modern day eyewear connoisseurs, all around the world.

TVR®OPT rimless edition: the result of a long and painstaking process of research and expertise in craftsmanship

As part of the rimless design concept, TVR®OPT Japan wanted to bring back a classic eyewear temple design from 2006 especially for this collection. With Tsubota Masato, who designed rimless eyewear at the time, they have developed a newly crafted design which also explores the original details, preserving the essence of the frames of that earlier time.

Masato made several adjustments to the original design, including re-detailing the temple tips with a special coloured material (Black Clear) at the end tips. This feature includes a TVR®OPT logo engraving in sterling silver, enhancing aesthetics and shifting the balance of the glasses toward the tips of the temple arms, improving overall stability.

Sterling silver has been selected for several reasons, not least its elegance and long lasting appeal. TVR®OPT has also opted to add an extra clear coating to protect the sterling silver from damage, ensuring it will shine for a long period of time.

The new designs are available in four shapes: round, orbal, octagon or square. For more details about the different features of the frames visit www.tvropt.com

On the origins of rimless glasses: rimless glasses developed from the 1900s Pince-nez designs, also known as three-piece style eyeglasses. As the Oxford Pince-nez became less practical over the years, rimless eyeglasses took their place by the 1920s as a go-to choice of eyeglasses. Luminaries like Teddy Roosevelt started wearing the Pince-nez when he became president in 1901, and he is cited as the first president to be photographed in a pair of glasses as spectacles during a period where eyeglasses were considered a remedial tool instead of a style statement. The Irish poet William Butler Yeats (1865 to 1939) also wore signature temple-less pince-nez glasses. and was famously photographed in them. In 2017, one of his pairs of pince-nez sold for EURO 10,000 at auction in Co Kilkenny.

To find out more about the new releases at TVR visit : www.tvropt.eu

Reviews

Anderson sunglasses by J.F. Rey

23rd November 2023

Men’s sunglasses in multi-materials

Part of a brand new sunglasses collection by the French creative team at J.F. Rey, the series of men’s designs in the edition propose multi-material constructions using acetate with carbon or glass fibre – revealed in layers. Above: model Anderson by J.F. Rey, one of the men’s styles in the new sunglasses collection that J.F. Rey has previewed for Spring/Summer 2024

The new Anderson sunglasses by J.F. Rey – the acetate appears to have been cut away on the upper section of the front to reveal the contrasting material below

This exclusive men’s series illustrates the unique qualities of J.F.REY’s design using the high-end materials with expertise and cutting-edge design techniques where layering and cutting away layers creates the architectural style. The combination of acetate with carbon or glass fibers lends a mix of special characteristics to the product, including strength and lightness as well as the aesthetic and focus on pattern and textural effects, with a likeness to the patterns of natural materials such as wood or horn. Find out more about the line at www.jfrey.fr

Sustainable design

MYKITA: calling for conscious consumption

21st November 2023

The Berlin brand is advocating thoughtful purchases, a longer product life and company commitment to prolonging the lifespan of eyewear through their MYCARE service – this programme of activity comes in the light of their also winning Responsible Company Award at SILMO 2023

MYKITA, the Berlin innovation-led design brand, is pushing for a more considered approach to eyewear shopping, and greater focus on longer lasting, quality frame design. In this light, the brand is highlighting their MYCARE service which includes frame maintenance and refurbishment, customised adjustments, and professional eyewear cleaning.

Product aftercare is available free of charge at MYKITA Shops worldwide to ensure MYKITA eyewear feels new for as long as possible, and looks, fits, and functions the way it was designed.

Moritz Krüger, MYKITA founder and creative director made a statement following the win at SILMO: “MYKITA is committed to generating positive change and meaningful innovation for the wellbeing of people, protecting the planet, with eyes set on bright future for generations to come. To receive this prize is a tremendous validation of our path and efforts, and a strong encouragement to heighten our efforts and continue to push further on social and environmental responsibility.”

Alongside product lifespan, MYKITA also underlines their ecological and social responsibility developed over the past years. From becoming the first eyewear company to completely switch its acetate material purchasing to the recycled Acetate Renew, the firm have also established a closed-loop supply system for stainless steel, their most frequently used material. Today, 90% of MYKITA’s purchased eyewear materials are already recycled and 100% recyclable. For more details on responsibility at MYKITA: https://mykita.com/de/mykitahaus/about/responsibility/

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