Eyestylist

  | Eyestylist 20th November 2023

Žilka Optik Studio, Prague

The new Žilka Optik Studio interior was designed by owner/founder Filip Žilka and realised by Olgoj Chorchoj studio – large glass windows have been installed to accommodate the display of art installations 

Žilka Optik Studio, an established fine eyewear destination which opened 25 years ago in Prague (Czech Republic) has marked its anniversary this year with the unveiling of a newly designed state-of-the-art space in the historic centre of the city in June 2023. Their retail concept represents one of the most exceptional to have been announced this year. The new striking interior was designed by owner Filip Žilka and carried out by the renowned Olgoj Chorchoj Prague-based studio (www.olgojchorchoj.cz).

More akin to a prestigious art gallery than a shop, the spot-lit windows of the studio embrace Žilka’s particular approach to eyewear. “Glasses are not just a mere accessory,” says the owner who is well known for his particular philosophy for  matching the perfect frame to the individual’s character, “but they symbolise and reflect the wearer’s personality. Our current window display was produced by the studio of the National Theatre under the creative direction of Marek Cpin.” Pictured above, works by Marek Cpin. Cpin is a well known set and costume designer who studied at the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts (Brno, Czech Republic).

A circular room within the minimal space at Žilka Optik Studio – photo Filip Slapal

The refined and minimal interior features a circular room lined with frames presented on translucent white displays, and hidden behind a curtain. Žilka explains this feature as part of his philosophy of finding the ideal frame: “The client coming to us here does not select their next frame on their own, the selection of frames is curated for them by our team. It is always our intention to sell “eyewear by Žilka” which sums up our knowledge and expertise. Our individual approach is a superior opportunity for our clientele beyond the brands and designs themselves.”

The circular room within the interior – hidden behind a light blue curtain Photo: Filip Slapal

Asked to pinpoint his particular concept, Žilka said: “My key intention and criteria was to always collaborate with the designers who create eyewear, and have a personal dialogue and connection with them. Our overall concept is based on a stylistic approach that uses our expertise in physiognomy, non-verbal communication and the psychological profiles of each personality type”. He adds that his aim is to bring out the client’s character and link it with a matching pair of frames. This requires a personal appointment at the studio.

Žilka Optik Studio – a relaxing area for clients to enjoy
Currently, although always fluid, the portfolio of brands offered in the store has been handpicked to offer a variety of eyewear styles for various types of clients – from the extravagant to the more conservative. “My personal favourite brands include Jacques Marie Mage, Blake Kuwahara, Matsuda, LINDBERG and Rigards; two of our latest additions to the family are Kuboraum and Esmont.”
To find out more about the store visit www.zilkastudio.cz. All photos by Filip Slapal – provided by Žilka Optik Studio. Copyright applies.

  | Eyestylist 16th November 2023

RES/REI: new for men

Eyestylist Exclusive: Part of the newly released RES/REI men’s eyewear collection which Eyestylist previewed at the SILMO fair, model Sir delivers a contemporary look where every detail has been developed with a creative yet subtly masculine touch

By Clodagh Norton Frames for men with striking masculine aesthetics and a “twist” of creativity in every small part: the new gentlemen’s eyewear collection at Italian label RES/REI plays with expertise and craftsmanship to achieve exciting details, colours and intriguing design traits. The frames in the collection are created with 5 barrel hinges mounted with rivets on a striped wire core and a blend of three-dimensional details, sophisticated colour combinations and refined classically informed shapes. Above: model wears the square-shaped Sir model – available in 5 unique colorways 

Model Sir by RES/REI: the new custom wire core is visible in the temples of the crystal grey version

With distinctive colours and newly developed Havanas and bi-layer Mazzucchelli acetate colours, the square model Sir is presented as a confident, well-proportioned acetate design. Eye-catching small details on the model include the three-dimensional ‘sculpted’ temple tips and silver lacquered typography (on the inside) inspired by the Art Deco movement and the traditions of the original 1920s speakeasies – for those who appreciate the finer things! Find out more about the independent eyewear collections by RES/REI at www.resrei.com

  | Eyestylist 13th November 2023

Barcelona design: Arquitectura-G X KALEOS

The Barcelona-based eyewear brand has teamed with Arquitectura-G to create a collaboration collection – launched 13th November

In a unique collaboration with Barcelona brand KALEOS, the architecture studio Arquitectura-G applied their design philosophy to eyewear, simplifying geometry and pushing the boundaries of eyewear construction. The resulting capsule collection comprises five 100% titanium frames, handcrafted in Japan. Each frame features an elastic tube for adjustment, designed to offer a comfortable fit for any head size.

Arquitectura-G X KALEOS collab

The Arquitectura-G x KALEOS collaboration represents a fusion of the two companies’ respective visions, with a keen emphasis on geometric shapes with a clean, structural, minimalistic, monotoned look. The collection will be available to purchase at selected retailers and online at www.kaleoscollection.com

  | Eyestylist 9th November 2023

100% Optical: a 10th anniversary edition

The London show will take place on 24th to 26th February 2024 and promises an extra special event to celebrate 10 years 

100% Optical returns for its 10th edition in February 2024, an optical event which promises an ever wider selection of exhibiting eyewear, contact lens, lens brands and technology companies.

The 100% Optical fair organisers have already confirmed a line-up of independent exhibitors for the 2024 event which will include Frost, Blackfin, Bevel, Morel, Einstoffen, Erker’s 1879, Götti Switzerland, Nina Mûr, Paname, Etnia Barcelona, Erker’s 1879, Kaleos, Kirk & Kirk, Ørgreen Optics, Danielle Rattray, Nikon, Mokki, SALT. Optics and Seiko. Above: Kaleos display of on-trend sunglasses at 100%

The UK’s own independent eyewear brand: Kirk & Kirk

Kirk & Kirk are long-time exhibitors at 100%. Their bold, colourful distinctive collections are always among the highlights at the show for those seeking out the latest independent creative eyewear releases with all-round appeal. www.kirkandkirk.com

SALT. Optics’ sunglasses – SALT. is one of the independent brands that returns each year to 100% from California – www.saltoptics.com

Across the three-day 100% Optical show,  a myriad of topics and opportunities will be available to opticians, with sessions including keynote lectures, discussion workshops, peer reviews and interactive poster trails across a variety of different hubs. Key education topics will showcase myopia management, advances in clinical imaging, including the role of artificial intelligence, and dry eye disease.

Model Epic, a clean, minimal shape, which is part of the Volumetrica collection by Ørgreen Optics – the Danish eyewear innovators who have confirmed for the 2024 show – www.orgreenoptics.com

Trends and design directions for the Spring/Summer season are always a favourite topic at 100%, which hosts a popular catwalk show on stage through three days – a fun opportunity for optical retailers in the UK to see a showcase of frames by popular brands and independent designers – close-up.

Leach by Götti Switzerland: among the new advanced titanium releases by the Swiss eyewear company

Götti Switzerland will be a go-to at 100% for those who offer  high-end, premium eyewear in their UK stores. The collections at Götti include state-of-the-art materials such as titanium, buffalo horn and 3d printed glasses, Dimension by Götti – made exclusively in Switzerland. www.gotti.ch

Morel France: the French company’s first reading glasses collection has just been revealed this season – Morel is a regular exhibitor at the London fair – www.morel-france.com

100% Optical arranges the Love Eyewear Awards, with a presentation event hosted during the show, representing a ‘celebration of the sector’ and all that it has to offer. With 13 categories, the Love Eyewear Awards are an opportunity for all exhibitors to take part with a varied choice of categories, including ‘New Designer 2024’, ‘Women’s Sunglasses of the Year’, ‘Unisex Frame of the Year’, ‘Sustainable Frame of the Year’, ‘Best Innovation’ and more. The deadline for submissions for the 2024 awards is 4th December 2023, so there is still time to get involved!

100% Optical also continue to deliver the annual Royal College of Art Competition, a project which encourages RCA students from the department of “Fashion Footwear Accessories Millinery” to explore the world of eyewear and submit designs according to an annual theme. This year, in recognition of the 100% Optical 10th anniversary, the theme is “Perfect 10”. The shortlisted designs will be exhibited at the show. “The students have been asked to build their own 10 principles of good eyewear design,” the show organisers told Eyestylist this week.

“Once again the competition is supported by the Royal College of Optometrists in Craven Street London via Neil Handley. Tom Broughton from Cubitts will also offer advice and materials and expertise. Students will work closely with Steve Bunn in technical workshops hosted in Battersea. He has a track record of working with new eyewear students and makers. Students will also be supported by listening to advice given by eyewear experts like Rocco Barker, frame maker and collector and Frame maker and optician, Lawrence Jenkin alongside Bryan McGinn of De Selby eyewear in Hackney.”

100% Optical 2024 returns to its home at ExCeL in London from 24th to 26th February 2024. Find out more and register here: www.100percentoptical.com Location: ExCel London, Royal Location: ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, LONDON E16 1XL. Eyestylist.com is a Media Partner for 100% Optical.

  | Eyestylist 7th November 2023

Erker’s 1879 : AP collection

A new collection from the St. Louis brand pays homage to the Erker’s family founding father

Continuing its tradition of celebrating family heritage through design, the US independent brand Erkers 1879 has created a collection in acetate, inspired by their founder, A. P. Erker and his creativity in the business he founded. The 15 new styles in the collection come in a palette of bright, fresh tones, some of which have never been used before in the collection. The hues are informed by many different types of inspiration, from the ocean and the waves, to the colours of vineyards and night skies. Trending gradient coloration, gentle tinted crystals, and expressive modern combinations ensure that the choices in the collection appeal to many different individual tastes. Above: the new frames in the AP collection have been created in celebration of a rich family history with an inspiring spectacle-making tradition, born in St. Louis

Erker’s 1879 – the acetate model Bridgeton comes in 5 unique tones such as “Vineyards” above – where several tones are combined in gradients

Hand finished and hand polished in a 48-step manufacturing process, model Bridgeton illustrates the attention to detail in colour, design and hardware in the range.  The rounded rectangular eye shape with a delicate cat eye edge offers a pretty, feminine design with thin rims and temples. The frame also boasts authentic “old-school” signature rivets and attractive minutely detailed metal parts at the hinge.

About A. P., founder of Erker’s 1879 – The company’s founder, Adolph P. Erker (A.P.) was a German immigrant who travelled to the United States in the late 1800’s, with the goal of founding his own optical company. In 1879, A.P. established The Erker’s Optical Co. in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. In the years following his founding of the company, A.P. was joined by his brother, August Erker, beginning a familial legacy which continues today. For more information and the history of the brand, visit www.erkers1879.com