Eyestylist

Article One: expanding the ACTIVE collection

April 18th 2023

For sports, this is one of few collections to merge tech with a qualitative vintage-inspired style

Article One is extending its one of a kind ACTIVE collection which delivers performance eyewear with an artisanal approach and style. The US label has added three distinct styles, bringing its athletic category to 12 models. In line with its ethos to challenge traditional performance eyewear aesthetics, the new Avalon, Bancroft and Hoffman sunglasses have the appearance of fine quality lifestyle frames, but are engineered with innovative, technical features needed for sports or outdoor pursuits.

Avalon from Article One – performance details are built-in

The new Avalon, Bancroft and Hoffman frames include the technical features of Article One’s entire ACTIVE Collection, engineered with hexetate – a patented acrylic resin that allows for improved flexibility, enhanced shape memory and added durability – and constructed with CR39 polarized lenses with backside anti-reflective coating to block 100% of UVA/UVB rays and prevent road glare. The frames also boast the brand’s signature adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips and spring hinges.

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Moon (above) inspired by 1950s sunglasses, and the new Emeline and Avalon – Article One ACTIVE

Each of the brand new styles has three frame options ranging from the classic tortoise, modern crystal and several patterns that create depth and texture. Paired with a range of protective polarized and non polarized lenses in eye-catching colours like pink ombre, gold, deep blue, grey or black, technical perks also include the backside anti-reflective coating to block 100% of UVA/UVB rays and provide effective protection from glare on the road. To find out more about Article One at www.articleone.com

Boutiques

Dr. York, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara

April 12th 2023

Eyewear, tequila and an artsy vibe at Dr. York’s second fine eyewear destination in Mexico

With a neighbourhood that’s been dubbed the coolest in the world, Guadalajara is the place to be in Mexico in 2023. The city has a vibrant, fast-evolving art-and-design scene and cultural energy and charm – centred around the unique neighbourhood of Colonia Americana.

Dr. York opened in the locality in March 2021. Having built a reputation as a leading independent eyewear store in Mexico City, owners Jose Castellano and Elena Orestano had set their sights on something new, with a bold independent spirit and a different point of view. “We had started hearing through customers and friends about this peculiar neighbourhood and community in Guadalajara that was blossoming with an attention towards design, gastronomy, art, and architecture. We thought, and still do think, that it really was something special and we wanted to be part of it, so we started our research around 2017. Good things take time and we were lucky enough to find our spot in 2020 and finally opened (a little delayed because of Covid) in 2021.”

A destination for fine eyewear in Guadalajara’s popular neighbourhood Colonia Americana

The space itself is more like a gallery studio than a straightforward store. “It definitely feels more like a studio than a store,” explains Castellano. “And that was the approach we were looking for. We wanted to have a space where we could express our personal point of view of our trade and where we could work on another project that we had not been able to make progress with before. So we though that the idea of a studio / store would be at least, unconventional.”

For the interior design, the couple commissioned Regina Pozo (founder of @txt.ure.mx) who they had already worked with for the remodelling of the Mexico City store. “She helped us to materialize this desire to design a Mexican experience for an optical shop. Her project helps artisans in small Mexican communities to have a platform where the world can enjoy and appreciate their craft. It felt right to work with her again; she helped us create this ambience where someone can feel that they are not only in an optical shop, but also in a studio where something special is blossoming, with an appreciation for local design, art and style.”

The space is like a gallery or artist’s studio

So far, the space stocks a choice of frames from Ahlem, Theo, Garrett Leight, Kuboraum and Labor. “We are looking forward to showcasing Lapima, Lazare and Vada in the coming months,” Jose adds. “As we started, we believed that there was no other space in Guadalajara that was presenting independent eyewear exclusively. We did not want to make an exact replica of our Mexico City collection, although it’s pretty hard not to because we are lucky to work with some of the best out there…we wanted to present something organic to our new community. And so there are some surprises from our original selection.”

View from the exterior of Dr. York, Guadalajara

The Castellano family have now made Guadalajara home, with Jose travelling to Mexico City every 10/12 days to spend 4/5 days with the Dr. York team and customers there. They say it works really well and that the team in MC is really well established and doing very well. “This year Dr. York Mexico City turns 12 years old. We are very lucky because since the beginning we were backed up by a great community, with many of them still trusting in us to take care of their eyes. The neighborhood there has evolved, and changed, like Dr. York, but something that we have always trusted and built on was the warmth of our service and our peculiar point of view towards our craft. Hopefully we have been able to communicate that precisely and we will continue to do so – in both cities – now and for the future.” Dr. York, C. Manuel López Cotilla 1234-Local B, 44160 Guadalajara / Dr. York, Álvaro Obregón 187-B, México, D.F.

Read more about Dr. York on Eyestylist at https://www.eyestylist.com/2011/07/dr-york-mexico-city/

Design + Inspiration

Diffuser Tokyo: cord collection extended

April 10th 2023

The Japanese accessories label has introduced its latest designs including a series of new elegant cords

Diffuser Tokyo expands its elegant eyewear accessories collections with a broad choice of pieces made in Japanese materials, with colours and designs informed by Japanese culture and art. Among them are new silk Sumi glasses cords are produced in the colours of Japanese ink paintings. They come in shades of light blue, red and olive green, as well as natural tones of white and brown. Above: a delicate and luxurious colour palette and soft, tactile materials at Diffuser Tokyo – handmade styles for Spring/Summer 2023

Silk Sumi Glasses cords – the cords have a smooth texture, and come in delicate colours

Sourced in Japan, the brand uses brass for the metal parts of the silk sumi cords which are branded with small lettering like fine, handmade jewellery. These precise details that make these items a perfect pairing with high quality, artisan eyewear.

In addition, the metal chains introduced this season, produced also in brass, come in silver, black or gold. The composition of the chain has a luxury jewellery finish which is eye-catching from many different angles.

Diffuser Tokyo accessories are stocked by some of the world’s finest optical boutiques in Japan, Europe and the USA. The brand is a regular exhibitor at the Paris trade fair, SILMO and will return there at the end of September. Their range of accessories includes chains, cords, natural leather and suede cases and eyewear holders to store several frames at one time. A new discreet eyewear ‘sacoche’ produced in artificial suede has also been introduced to the line.

To read more about the brand visit our interview with the founder, Masaki Hirose at https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/05/diffuser-tokyo-masaki-hirose-on-handmade-accessories/ Find out more about Diffuser Tokyo at https://diffuser-tokyo.com

Design + Inspiration

Shield sunglasses: Walter Van Beirendonck collab

April 7th 2023

The Antwerp fashion designer continues collaboration with the eyewear company, KOMONO

Walter Van Beirendonck’s collaboration sunglasses edition has expanded with new models called UFO and Alien, futuristic bold frames made from bio nylon. A mix of black renditions alongside new neon colours including a vibrant green, take this line in a new direction with the particular signature bridge that covers part of the wearer’s nose (also a feature of the Otherworldly super sized frame) running through the styles. Above: backstage at Walter Van Beirendonck – featured frame the supersized Otherworldly which launched in September 2022

Walter Van Beirendonck Runway (above) and ALIEN and UFO sunglasses

The Alien sunglasses are futuristic in style with a wraparound slightly 90s “extra-terrestrial inspired”‘ look. The UFO sunglasses have a rectangular oversized shape with a reflecting lens in a deep gold tone, black or white/orange. The new styles can be worn with a thick statement silicon cord. Images by kind permission of Komono and Walter Van Beirendonck. www.komono.com

Sustainable design

Sustainable developments: an Eyestylist exclusive

April 5th 2023

The last months have seen some particular highlights in the drive towards sustainable activity across the independent segment of the eyewear industry. Actions range from a much higher transparency about individual company commitments to genuine sustainable goals as well as ongoing innovation in recycling and re-purposing waste and discarded products to make beautiful high-quality frames…the examples below are among the most notable developments we have identified in recent weeks….

RECYCLED MATERIALS: GREATER TRANSPARENCY ABOUT EYEWEAR MATERIALS IN USE

Mykita draws attention to the importance of recycling which is key to the circular economy, helping to protect natural resources. Setting a standard for sharing details about the specific materials in its collections, most recently, the company has published the details about the metal materials it is currently using. Over 90% of purchased frame materials at MYKITA are recycled:

“Our metal frames are made from stainless steel consisting of 90% recycled content. We now also return our leftover stainless steel as raw material to our supplier’s recycling plant in Sweden – a closed loop operation.” Image above: courtesy of Mykita

MYKITA No 1 – Donovan sunglasses – an example of the metal designs at the German brand

Already in 2022, for their acetate collections, Mykita fully switched to using recycled acetate in a partnership with Eastman, the producers of Eastman Acetate Renew, a bio-based material made from certified sustainable wood pulp that uses recycled waste plastics in place of fossil based resources. www.mykita.com

DEMO LENSES: A MOVE TO RECYCLED + RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

In Autumn 2022, the French company Morel introduced recycled and recyclable demo lenses in 100% of their frames. The demonstration lenses, built with recycled acrylic, make up a virtuous circle as they are infinitely recyclable, the Morel team say.

At Morel, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions are separated into three main themes: product commitment, environmental commitment, and social responsibility. To be open and transparent about these activities and how they will evolve for the future, the company has published a manifesto which details their projects and progress in these areas, available from their website at www.morel-france.com

Waste collection in Africa by the Sea2see Foundation – a non-profit created by the eyewear company to tackle environmental pollution head on

DEVELOPING CIRCULAR OPERATIONS TO REMOVE WASTE FROM THE SEA + CREATE “SEASTAINABLE” PRODUCTS

The B CORP Certified and Carbon Negative company Sea2see has created its own Foundation in Africa to enable an ongoing collection of rubbish from the coast by the local communities. Those involved are paid for the work, and the collection to clean up the marine environment is centered around 20 fishing communities in Ghana, involving around 500 people with a collection success of 25,000 kg (on average) of waste collected each month. Sea2see is now driving this model in other regions including Senegal, since 2020. Some of the waste is turned into a certified raw material called UPSEA™ PLAST which has obtained Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification. The material is suitable to make robust, strong eyewear which is comfortable to wear and bright and colourful – manufactured to high quality standards in Italy – as well as a stylish collection of watches which Sea2see produces at one of the leading watch makers in Switzerland. Find out more about Sea2see activities at www.sea2see.org

Floralbots by EOE Eyewear – part of a Limited Edition released for Spring/Summer 2023 – featuring the beautiful REGRIND recycled eyewear material

PIONEERING DEVELOPMENT IN RECYCLING / REPURPOSING EYEWEAR / CREATING UNIQUE COLOURS AND PATTERNS IN NEW “REGRIND” DESIGNS – PROCESS REQUIRES UP TO 35% LESS Co2 THAN VIRGIN ACETATE

REGRIND represents a step forward in recycling old disused eyewear and creating a raw material from the old frames, which is then used in a new circular production. The success of the REGRIND process continues to grow – with the creation of aesthetically colourful and stylish varieties (the material is patented ISCC and certified bio-circular – produced in Sweden), that have a wide choice of marbled, flecked, smokey, stone-inspired and Havana-like colorations. The materials are now available to all eyewear designers.

The couple behind the REGRIND innovation – Emilia and Erik Lindmark – who are the co-founders also of EOE Eyewear showed their most recent REGRIND frame designs at OPTI in January in a limited edition that is striking and bold, both in colour and finish. To find out more about REGRIND visit our interview with the creators about the creation of the new material: https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/06/regrind-an-innovative-approach-to-circular-design/ www.regrind.se

Eyestylist is interested to hear from all independent optical/frame companies who wish to talk about their latest steps in becoming more sustainable. Please contact us at [email protected] – this feature was written by EYESTYLIST.COM – all rights reserved.

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