Eyestylist

| Eyestylist 12th March 2023

High-spirited hues by Ørgreen Optics

Lightness and colour combined at the Danish eyewear brand

For the lighter days of Spring, new models by Ørgreen Optics bring together the Danish company’s mastery of functionality and comfort with contemporary colours, expressed in a unique palette designed by the colourist, Sahra Lysell. Lysell draws on many influences in the palette she explores, from the city where she lives to memorable places and experiences, references throughout her life. Above: titanium model Human, a sharp almond shape pictured in ‘matt striking purple’. The frame front colour is combined with sophisticated shiny gold temples which elevates the bright pink/purple tone

Calypso in the Havn collection
Model Calypso in the Havn collection by Ørgreen Optics: pictured, matt pink with matt rubine red

At Ørgreen, similar colours – in these examples a palette of pinks and purples – have a different look and feel in different materials, from acetate through to titanium. Model Calypso in Ørgreen’s Havn line is a stainless steel ophthalmic design – the modern colour techniques allow for the bright and daring hues – often proposed in complex combinations.

‘All I want’ by Ørgreen Optics: Lysell works with semi transparent and transparent colours for acetate – colour pictured, transparent rose violet

The new model ‘All I want’ comes in a fully transparent crystal with rose violet tint. The frame has a noteworthy patterned metal temple core with a textured surface, an eye-catching contrast with the wide acetate temple.

All I want by Ørgreen Optics: a brand new style for Spring/Summer

All the models released, whatever the material featured, have a unique aesthetic and character thanks to a balanced combination of structure, materials and studies in colour. www.orgreenoptics.com

| Eyestylist 8th March 2023

Impressive energy and eyewear style at 100%

The London show made an impression across all categories in 2023 / new dates have been announced for the 2024 edition

100% Optical has celebrated their biggest, most successful show yet in London. Organisers reported that the 3-day event saw a 10% year-on-year increase on its previous record attendance.

For 2023, 100% attracted a diverse selection of independent eyewear brands from Europe and the US. They included long-term supporters of the fair such as Kirk and Kirk, Sea2see, SALT. Optics,  BIRD and Gotti Switzerland, alongside first time appearances from VAVA, Rolf Spectacles and Vysen. Above: close-up of Linwei Zheng’s eyewear and accessory designs, winner of the 100% x RCA competition; Zheng used upcycled rubber tubes from the inside of car tyres to make the designs

PARIS Light by Struktur Eyewear won ‘men’s frame of the year’ at 100% in the Love Eyewear Awards 2023

The Love Eyewear Awards The fair celebrated creativity, colour and design flair with the Love Eyewear Awards. There were wins for a broad selection of products this year. Highlights included Ffin Eyewear (who won two awards for New Designer and Men’s Sunglasses of the Year), and ROLF Spectacles who won the category for Kids frame of the Year with their 3d printed bean glasses. Struktur Eyewear won the Men’s Frame of the Year and model PARIS Light and VAVA for Sustainable Frame of the year with their CL0012.

VAVA Eyewear: model CL0012 – the winner in the sustainable category in the Love Eyewear Awards at 100% Optical
ROLF Spectacles: bringing bean eyewear to the youngest wearers – model Kudu won the children’s category in the Love Eyewear Awards at 100%

The continuing success of the brilliant RCA competition, in its 9th year, was a delight again at the  100% event, with very strong projects submitted by a group of outstanding students from the department of FAME_RCA  (Masters in Fashion / Footwear / Accessories / Millinery / Eyewear. The theme of the competition this year was “sunglasses that do not cost the earth” and the winner was Linwei Zheng who designed frames using rubber inner tubes from tyres – a sustainable direction that was simple and bold.

Eyewear creativity: RCA student Zirui Wang explored bamboo as a frame material for his project in the RCA x 100% competition on sustainable design

Next year’s 10th anniversary 100% Optical dates have been confirmed for 24th to 26th February 2024, while The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and Media 10 have announced that their partnership to deliver 100% Optical has been extended until 2025. For further information, visit www.100percentoptical.com

| Eyestylist 7th March 2023

Lafont Paris: marking 100 years of history and design

Lafont Paris celebrates an impressive 100 years as fine eyewear ‘maison’

One of the leading independent eyewear brands from France, Lafont Paris is celebrating 100 years of family history and a unique trajectory from a small Paris optical boutique to a world-renowned eyewear house.

Lafont was first created by Louis Lafont in 1923, the year that saw the opening of a now iconic optical store in the historic rue Vignon. Establishing its name as an optical boutique offering fine optical frames and sunglasses, in the 1980s, Laurence and Philippe Lafont changed the course of the family business with the design of their own unique frame, the iconic Genie. Above: the interior of the historic rue Vignon boutique, which remains open to this day, and which, in recent years was extended to house the Lafont artisan production of bespoke, made-to-measure eyewear

Front Cover of Madame Figaro featuring model Genie by Lafont Paris – 1984

Today, the sons of Laurence and Philippe – Thomas and Matthieu – the fourth generation of the Lafont family, continue to head the Maison Lafont, with a bold commitment to independence as a primary pillar of the brand.

Monaco by Lafont Paris – 2023 collection
A 2015 edition of Lafont’s Genie, first created in the 1980s – the frames are still made in the traditional way in the Jura

The Lafont brothers are also building upon the eco-responsible direction of their family company for the future, while, at the same time, ensuring that the contemporary Lafont style remains colourful, original and decorative, steeped in history and the authentic chic style of Parisian design. Follow the latest news about the company at www.lafont.com

| Eyestylist 6th March 2023

Ahlem x Jorden Bickham

An eyewear collaboration to benefit G.L.I.T.S / the frame is a bold, thick oversized aviator style produced in transparent acetate in three colours, designed for everyone

Ahlem has launched a collaboration edition with proceeds going to G.L.I.T.S (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), an NYC-based nonprofit providing TLGBQIA and BIPOC individuals with access to healthcare and housing services. Along with increasing awareness about G.L.I.T.S., the collaboration between the eyewear brand and the stylist Jorden Bickham seeks to communicate a message of solidarity and promote equal rights for all humans, regardless of situation and background. Above: portrait of Frances Coombe by Soraya Zaman

Campaign portraits shot by Soraya Zaman – above, Rachel Lee, below Jorden Bickham

The campaign for the collaboration represents powerful portraits shot by photographer Soraya Zaman and features an interconnected social network within the New York City LGBTQ+ community including Creative Director Jorden Bickham, Ceyenne Doroshow (the founder of G.L.I.T.S.), Rachel Lee, Richie Shazam, Frances Coombe, Marcelo Gutierrez, Angel Prost, Dee Harper and Jahlove Serrano.

The new edition is available at www.ahlemeyewear.com

| Eyestylist 2nd March 2023

LOFT NYC: an eyewear destination for independent brands

The annual eyewear show for independent eyewear brands in New York, LOFT NYC takes place at the Hudson Mercantile from 16th March to 19th March 2023 / a huge line-up of designers and brands have booked for the edition which will welcome opticians and buyers from around the world

Creative eyewear designers will return to New York this month for a programme of annual events, among them the popular Loft NYC – at the Hudson Mercantile, an intimate showroom space on two floors. This year, the show will host over 35 of the finest independent eyewear brands and labels, from Europe, the US and Japan – including theo, Lafont Paris, Kirk and Kirk and Masahiromaruyama.

Loft NYC -Studio: a special atmosphere to view creative eyewear collections in New York – opticians from around the world attend the event

The LOFT NYC event will be running an extra day (Thursday) to accommodate buyers and optical professionals throughout their stay in the city.  Known also for its themed industry parties, the organisers have confirmed that 2023 will see a return of the much talked about party event. 

Expect to find a huge array of independent eyewear at this year’s LOFT, with brands taking part from across the world. Exhibitors include Bevel, BOZ Eyewear, Kirk and Kirk, LAFONT Paris, Lowercase NYC, MATSUDA, ROLF Spectacles, SALT. Optics, THEO, VAVA and VUE DC.

LOFT NYC takes place at Hudson Mercantile, 500 W 36th Street, (corner of 10th Avenue), New York from Thursday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm (16th to 19th March). 

LOFT San Francisco: the sister show on the West Coast was first launched in 2019, and is already an established event for the international eyewear community. Watch this space for the new 2023 dates for San Francisco and visit www.lofteyewearshow.com to find out more about visiting the two shows.