eyewear

A capsule collection by Gigi Studios

3rd July 2025

Spanish brand, Gigi Studios releases a capsule collection which they say pays homage to the timeless beauty of nature

Released in June, the Sediments collection by Gigi Studios features three unique products – called Abyss, Etherea and Shimmer. Drawing inspiration from natural sediments such as iridescent seashells, time-worn stones and textures shaped by water and the passing of time, the frames are conceived as a refined design statement blending organic forms with clean lines. Above: the capsule frames in the Sediments collection have been shot in a marine environment – model featured, Shimmer

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

Gigi Studios: Sediments features this oval stainless design called Shimmer with upswept lower metal rim; above model wears acetate style – Abyss

The three styles are presented in a palette of mineral and aquatic tones that echo the shimmering essence of summer — translucent blue, soft pink, pearlescent white, and sandy beige. Each frame is created to capture the ever-changing seascape and translate it into an object of desire: fluid, tactile, lightweight, and elegant.

Find out more about Gigi Studios by clicking on the link at https://www.eyestylist.com/2024/02/gigi-studios-unveils-architect-designed-hq/ – visit the brand website at www.gigistudios.com

Sustainable design

3-D printed: Rolf is multi-award winner

2nd July 2025

Alongside two Red Dot awards, sustainable brand Rolf has been awarded the Green Product Award in 2025 for their 3-D printed frames.

In May 2025, Rolf Spectacles announced that they had won two Red Dot Awards, recognising Product Design and Sustainable Design, in their 3-D printed collection – Wire. These 3-D printed frames are minimal and refined in design, and have a number of particular features – from being completely screwless, the production process has been developed at Rolf so that CO₂ emissions have been minimised. The styling of the frames is recognised as modern, minimal and fresh – furthermore, the sustainable eyewear products are also produced locally in Austria using 100% green electricity. Above: the Rolf frame Rais won the Green Product Award 2025

Product Design Winner – Trik in the 3-D printed eyewear collection Wire – won a Red Dot Award

Adding to this success story in 2025, the company has announced that it also won the Green Product Award for 2025. This is an award that recognises particularly innovative, sustainable products. The winning product was the Rais in the Substance collection. The Rolf frame Rais is characterised by its unusual shape and sustainable production. The natural raw material is processed in powder form and fulfils all technical requirements. It is environmentally friendly, and also durable. Combined with Rolf’s patented Flexlock hinge, which enables a screwless construction, the result is a pair of glasses that are flexible and stable. The focus on local production and a shortened supply chain emphasise the brand’s commitment to environmentally conscious manufacturing.

A sustainable focus in everything ‘Sustainability is not just a trend at Rolf, but a fundamental attitude’, the team said in their statement. In addition to environmentally friendly production, Rolf invested in the renovation of their production facility in 2023. This development will save more than 81 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The company has also focused on ergonomic workstations and sustainable office equipment for the benefit of employees. For more information about Rolf’s awards through the years, visit their website at www.rolf-spectacles.com

For more information about Rolf on www.eyestylist.com click on the link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/01/award-winning-natural-eyewear-brand-rolf-heads-to-munich/

Boutiques

Gentle Monster store in Milan at 10 Corso Como

24th June 2025

The South Korean eyewear brand has unveiled a new centrepiece that invites visitors into a transformed sensory experience

Eyewear store Milan: Gentle Monster’s new ‘Giant Head Kinetic Object’ – installed as part of the brand’s shop-in-shop at 10 Corso Como – embodies the South Korean fashion eyewear brand’s singular philosophy and deep fascination with the inner workings of the human mind. Built in-house by the Gentle Monster Robotics Lab, the Giant Head Kinetic Object consists of three faces. In the centre, the face appears to gently shut its eyes and shake its head in contemplation. On either side is a larger and smaller face that move fluidly around it. With softly blinking eyelids and subtle shifting pupils, the installation is designed to capture “the complexity of cognition, emotion and human connection”.

Gentle Monster store in Milan at 10 Corso Como – the first installation by the brand to be created in Europe this year

Other elements, such as star-like forms scattered through the store, illuminate the invisible landscapes of the human psyche, inside the light-filled industrial space of the Ground Floor at 10 Corso Como – Milan’s leading concept store blending culture with trends and fostering a connection between the worlds of fashion and culture. The Gentle Monster section of the store was first opened in March during Milan Fashion Week.

Gentle Monster at 10 Corso Como – the glasses are displayed around the installation

Since its foundation in 2011 by Hankook Kim, Gentle Monster has relentlessly searched for daring and innovative narratives to present to the fashion realm. With emotional provocation as the key message, the brand portrays its identity through eyewear – but also through physical space. It continues to broaden its spectrum and philosophy through bold projects and sophisticated eyewear products, confirming its role as a major innovator and creative force. Gentle Monster is also one of the eyewear brands that Google is working with to build new-generation AI smart glasses with Android XR, news which was announced on 20th May 2025. For more information about Gentle Monster visit www.gentlemonster.com

Ground Floor, Corso Como, 10, Milan, Italy

Sustainable design

Glacier Optics: made in the Alps

16th June 2025

The “made in the Alps” sports eyewear label has released a video to highlight how their Glacier frames are created

Glacier Optics, a specialist sports eyewear label with a particular passion for high altitude activities, have released a new video to explain their production process and the work that goes into producing their frames “behind the scenes”. The label – co-founded by Arnaud Cottet and Benoit Goncourt, snow sports enthusiasts from Switzerland, works with the 30-year-old manufacturer, Lucal Lunettes in Oyonnax, France, and company owner / eyewear authority, Jean Calamand. Their frames even feature the maker’s name with the phrase ‘Fabriqué chez Jean’ featured inside the temple.

Jean Calamand of Lucal in Oyonnax, France – a third generation eyewear producer and innovator in French eyewear production – the company is zero waste

By collaborating with Jean, in the heart of the iconic French eyewear region, the Jura, the brand wishes to affirm its commitment to supporting local, dedicated and forward-thinking production for the creation of highly specialised sustainable sports products. At Lucal, spectacle-making techniques and know-how is passed from generation to generation. The designers and artisans working there today have traditional skills. Alongside this, they have real expertise in using cutting-edge technology – combining the two to create high-quality designs.

Pierredar sunglasses in production in Oyonnax

“By collaborating with Jean, at the heart of this iconic eyewear region, we are affirming our commitment to supporting local, dedicated and forward-thinking production. Because for us, that is what it means to be ‘made in the Alps'” Glacier Optics

Moiry sunglasses by Glacier Optics – removable side shields and Zeiss sun lenses – described as an all-rounder for sport and everyday wear

In 2025, the Glacier Optics product range includes sunglasses developed for a full range of sports in recycled stainless steel, titanium or a 3D printed material – PA12. Additionally, Glacier fits the models with high-quality protective Zeiss sun lenses and are accompanied by finely crafted accessories should the wearer require additional leather inserts or sunglass cords. Glacier Optics has also developed their own elegant Swiss made leather case locally in a collaboration with one of the last remaining tanners in Switzerland, Jürg Zeller. To watch the new video about the making of Glacier Optics frames visit: https://glacieroptics.com/blogs/journal/fabrique-chez-jean

Design + Inspiration

Eyewear news: theo collaborates with Floran Polano

9th June 2025

The eyewear label joins forces with Floran Polano, a master’s student at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp

The Belgian eyewear designers theo have teamed up with fashion designer Floran Polano to create the larger-than-life frames, inspired by Polano’s graduation collection at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The frames were 3D printed and reflect the poetic, melancholic tone that the designer wanted to create, bringing to life his design philosophy “constructed beauty” in womenswear. According to the eyewear company, such a collaboration offers a rare opportunity for “transformation and critical reflection.” Above: Polano collection and eyewear / photo by © Sieme Hermans

Eyewear news: New work by the fashion designer in collaboration with theo eyewear / *Photography by Sieme Hermans*

Floran Polano has already attracted attention in the fashion industry. In 2o24 he appeared on the cover of Vogue China and Numero Netherlands. He previously received the Artos Award for his innovative approach to fashion design.

Floran Polano – *photography by Sieme Hermans*

Floran Polano: exotic and sculptural sunglasses design – the collection began with a song lyric, *“Hey mama, don’t you see, your boy’s wrapped up in this strangled silk.” Photography by Sieme Hermans*

The designs by Polano are on view at the Fashion Academy Graduation Show, June 2025. For more information visit www.theo.be and @floranpolano on Instagram. To find out more about theo on www.eyestylist.com visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/06/theo-collaborates-with-floran-polano/

All imagery provided by kind permission of the photographer + theo.be. Photography by Sieme Hermans