Vibrant, luminous colours are a feature of the colour palette for Spring/Summer at the German design label
A fresh injection of Spring colour has come to the fore in the Mykita collections. A variety of mixed material models in the Mykita Lite series use warm acetate with sleek stainless steel in classic square, round and panto shapes. Clear and solid tones are featuring in the line, and sun lenses coordinate with the frame tones, offering sophistication in eye-catching, balanced pairings of colours. Above: in the latest Mykita ranges…bright, luminous colours of light lilac, dark amber, topaz, blackberry and classic tortoise shades
The square model Saima has a slightly 1970s look – with a slimmer more streamlined construction for a more contemporary definition and ideal comfort. The style, produced in light transparent pink features a striking lens tone described as a “cool solid grey”.
Model Nukka, a classic panto shape in the Lite collection, is offered in a range of colours including Dark Amber with a solid Dark Green lens tone or a crystal champagne with a solid raw brown tint – tones which are timeless yet distinctive and interesting for wear on the face.
Amber tones have a wonderful earthiness and are naturally flattering for all skin tones, whether very pale like clear honey or more solid and intense.
Mykita has taken bold steps across its collections to offer sustainable materials such as Acetate Renew, a material produced by Eastman’s innovative molecular recycling technology. Their stainless steel consists of 90% recycled content. Find out more about the new collection at www.mykita.com
Trend alert: rim effects
Spectacular rims with playful colour combos are one of the most creative directions in eyewear for Spring…
Designers have explored the creative potential of layers and rims this season, with fronts which take the bold theme to new heights, playing with contrast and colourful combinations. From high fashion collections to small batch series, the trend for impactful, double and triple rims has brought more individuality and freshness of style still and a 3 dimensional sculptural quality that is beautiful and flattering on the face. Above: from the Marni sunglasses collection by RETROSUPERFUTURE, Ulawun Vulcano Blue. This style offers real visual impact, with the contrast in shape and colour and beautiful signature tones of the fashion brand combined with artistry – www.retrosuperfuture.com
The Madison is oversized with strong ties to the look of the 1970s square designs. It presents dynamic colour combinations on the front of the frame, using fashion tones of lilac – a tone that is similar to the trendy digital lavender, and luminous gradient tones – in the case above, a crystal taupe. Despite the thicknesses of the acetate material, the frame has a lightweight feel and comfortable, wearable shape. www.jfrey.fr
The Gadabout model from OGI Eyewear explores volumes, layering and linear effects with its bold front – described as a “harlequin shape”. Three colours are revealed on the front by means of the ingenious layering and “cutting” of the acetate and stainless steel shapes which overlap one another. Model Duude in this collection has a similar accent on the rim design and playful effect of bright colour combos. Find the models in the collection at www.ogieyewear.com
edCFDA Eyewear Designers: preview 2023 Pride Collection
Limited Edition designs revealed by the designers: Blake Kuwahara Eyewear, Christian Roth Eyewear, Krewe Eyewear, l.a.Eyeworks and Selima Optique
The second annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative was launched in New York this week, with all five designers gathering at The Loft to present their individual frames. The Initiative is an annual charitable venture driven by the eyewear designers to target and highlight specific needs within the broad spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming community. This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit the TransLatin@ Coalition whose members are TransLatin@ leaders from different parts of the U.S., who organize and advocate for the issues and needs of TransLatin@ individuals residing in the United States (translatinacoalition.org) Above: a dedicated lens cleaning cloth has been created exclusively for the initiative by the New York-based artist, Pedro Silva (www.pedrosilvaart.com)
The frames have been designed will completely unique shapes and colours, referencing the pride flag with bold combinations and design details.
The designers – Blake Kuwahara (Blake Kuwahara Eyewear), Christian Roth (Christian Roth Eyewear), Gai Gherardi (l.a.Eyeworks), Selima Salaun (Selima Optique), Stirling Barrett (Krewe Eyewear) – are members of the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), a working group of the CFDA that seeks to expand the understanding and presence of designer eyewear as a vital component of contemporary fashion. cfda.com
The Loft 2023, NYC
Busy stands, energy and vitality, and a party atmosphere at the annual independent eyewear event in NYC
Over 35 independent eyewear brands took part in the most recent edition of The Loft Eyewear Show in New York City this weekend, with a mix of European and US companies as well as a handful of designers from Japan. Above: a packed Friday night party at The Loft (Hudson Mercantile, New York City).
Some brands were launching collections for the first time at the event. A brand new combination concept from British creatives, Kirk and Kirk was one of the highlights. The frames fuse Kirk and Kirk’s signature Italian acrylic fronts in bright colours with metal temples – a completely new departure for the brand. Made in Italy, the lightweight temples are produced in Alpaca Silver – an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, a material often favoured to create jewellery. www.kirkandkirk.com
Acetate models displaying interesting thicknesses, contrasting with sharp angles and bevels were a special feature at The Loft, courtesy of VUE DC. The collection on show worked with very dazzling bright colours as well as some sophisticated classic tones of tortoise and translucent red. For the complete collection, visit the brand at www.vuedc.fr
At theo, the new pop art glasses were fresh and super funky, referencing work by Roy Liechtenstin and art-inspired details such as bold contours and printed dots. The frames have been designed by the fashion designer, Tim Van Steenbergen and theo designer, Serge Bracké. Find out more at www.theo.be
At SALT. Optics, the latest offer of new designs, made in Japan, remained perfectly attuned to the natural world and the land and seascapes of California, with nature colours and easy to wear, flattering classic shapes available across the collections. www.saltoptics.com
The next edition of The Loft takes place in San Francisco on 23-24th September 2023 at Fort Mason Center. For further information about the event, visit www.lofteyewearshow.com
Preview: a new collaboration from Rigards
Rigards and the acclaimed Barcelona-based German-Persian designer Boris Bidjan Saberi bring their worlds together in a bold collaboration for summer release
The goal was to create an exacting aviator style in titanium, with properties of lightness and a universal fit, all the while offering unfailing attention to materiality, and a sophisticated synthesis of the notion of “imperfect perfection”.
The resulting aviator silhouette has a characterful circular design, where the frame sides are anchored by multidimensional crescent half-moon shapes. The Rigards team explain that special attention was paid to the fit, such that the proportions are optimized for a greater range of face and head shapes. Above: the new bold collaboration frame at Rigards
Particularly eye-catching in this model are the smoothly detachable side-shields which, while physically protecting against light in the peripherals, metaphorically “protect” the wearer. These sides which are compared to medieval armour are distinctive and bold, and also feature artful debossed grooves, traced with two slender cutouts in a nod to Saberi’s symbolic affinity for the number eleven. An incredible blend of details creates an exceptional style with a bespoke weathered patina, while emphasis on artisan expertise is seen in every aspect of the design — the attachment/ease of removal, material elasticity, and stability was assiduously worked on to ensure technical soundness.
Rigards x Boris Bidjan Saberi RG1011BBS is set to release in five elegant colours in June 2023. Every pair comes with two sets of ZEISS lenses (allowing one to switch between Dark Grey and Light Gradient Grey to suit the occasion), and a glasses case made from vegetable-tanned Santa Croce leather. Follow the latest news at www.rigards.com