eyewear

Kaleos: Ottica Rizzato creates Limited Edition with Spanish brand

21st May 2025

The Italian optical retailer Ottica Rizzato was the winner of the Kaleos window display contest – the prize was to develop a unique collaboration frame with the Barcelona brand

Italian independent optician, Ottica Rizzato has presented its unique frame, created in a collaboration between Gabriele Cavedon, owner of Ottica Rizzato, and Claudia Brotons, Kaleos’ Creative Director – and designed in Barcelona. Produced in a limited run of just 10 pieces, the frame blends a classic, unisex shape with unique details. A bold colour scheme is inspired by trencadis – the vibrant mosaic technique found in many of Antoni Gaudi’s works in Barcelona. Above: Exterior of Ottica Rizzato, Marano Vicentino, Italy and the window, inspired by the minimal Kaleos showroom in Barcelona

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KALEOS x Ottica Rizzato – Limited Edition

The frame is designed to reference the spirit of Barcelona, echoed in the luminous shades and irridescent reflections of the sunglasses. Designed as collectibles, each piece comes with a custom case and an exclusive mini guide to Barcelona, which highlights the places which were central to the development of the KALEOS x Ottica Rizzato concept frame. Find out more about Ottica Rizzato and the new release at www.otticarizzato.com

Design + Inspiration

Key Spring/Summer 2025 Trends: lightweight metals

19th May 2025

Lightweight metal frames with contemporary flair are one of the mainstays in eyewear this year. The sleeker constructions with particular details and innovative colours are perfect style choices for a summer re-fresh…

Metal specs tick lots of boxes this season. As well as key qualities of comfort and lightness, subtle colours and interesting design features are ensuring these types of glasses are perfectly on trend. Colour is a particular highlight as designers explore special combinations such as tone-on-tone pairings as well as more classical gold and silver detailing (the finesse of luxury metal finishes is sought after this year). For shapes, the choice is extremely wide, with aviator styles and shapes exploring angular detailing being particularly sought after – while details, for bridges and temples, are absolutely essential for a perfectly stylish finish to the frame. Above: the new models by Ahlem – in the Paris collection, a luxury metal series that uses stainless steel and luxury finishes such as 22K gold and palladium, www.ahlemeyewear.com

Sleek metal aviator designs are always in vogue and this year they are popular for men and women alike. The Drexel model by Erker’s is a take on the iconic aviator shape, produced in stainless steel. The frame is quite oversized with a squarish eye shape and attractive and sleek double bridge. Find out more at www.erkers1879.com

JF3072 by J.F. Rey – from the Allure of Metal collection

The woman’s frame JF3072 is from the French label J.F. Rey. The finnesse of the metal shape fuses with a bright colour combination to create an expressive design with bags of personality.

Each design in this collection, Allure of Metal, which includes 11 colourful graphic metal models, combines two or three shades, carefully juxtaposed and hand applied. This creates a bold chromatic effect, a typical trait of this brand. For more details: www.jfrey.fr

Titanium is also a key material in this segment. A sheet titanium frame style like Powerage – produced by Ørgreen Optics – is highly technical – requiring 100 different processes and specialist design work. The frame combines 100% pure titanium and beta-titanium for wearer comfort and offers a minimalistic style with chic contemporary colourations. www.orgreenoptics.com

Point Reyes by Italian eyewear producer, Blackfin

Blackfin Pacific is a collection developed for the qualities of lightness and comfort, with styles like the Point Reyes created from 3mm block titanium – for the front, paired with ultraflexible 0.5mm beta titanium temples. Blackfin applies the colour by hand, to attain a sophisticated and elegant finish. This frame comes in a choice of colours from green with gold temples to blue with shiny silver temples. www.blackfin.eu

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Holiday upgrades

26th June 2015

at sabine be.

26th June 2015 French optician Sabine Bégault-Vagner from Orléans turned to eyewear design in 2014, and hasn’t looked back. Her acetate frames and sunnies come in high volume hues, with distinctive graphic shapes – perfect for summer holidays. Colour pairings frequently include tortoise on neon purple, classic shiny crystal or shiny statement red. Flashy split combination colours on the fronts (see models be swag, be pretty and be geek) are a particularly fun option. Above: model be whaouh ! by sabine be. : a round frame shape, a square lens.

With a strong preference for Mazzucchelli acetate, Sabine has her own frame “signatures” including a round and square end pieces on each model, in matching or contrasting hues; all frames are made in France. To compliment the collection, be accessories include beautifully made summer-toned chains, cases and purses, featuring the same “signature” details to mix and match with eyewear.

Available at leading optical stores including Studio Optix, USA, Artsee Miami, Ottica Astrologo, Rome, and at sabine be, 21 Rue de la Republique, 45000 Orleans, France www.sabinebe.fr CN

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Summertime!

8th June 2015

Leisure time and the holidays are enhanced with superb optical and sunglass designs by independent artisans. In Reviews, authentic international creators are highlighted who produce genuine handmade eyewear in natural materials including horn, wood and leather. An enthusiastic optician ignites the Boutique scene in Dijon, France, and our Designer of the Month hails from Rome. Discover the cultural significance of shoes in CITY GUIDES with a fascinating exhibition in London. Click and stay with Eyestylist for continual eyewear and accessory style alerts.

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Artistic influences

12th May 2015

THEO, inspired by Strook

12th May 2015 It’s all about spontaneity. A drawing takes shape without me thinking about it very much. I want to be able to draw without limits.” Strook

In the world of theo eyewear nothing is impossible! The Antwerp label has announced a new collection inspired by Bruges-based artist Stefaan De Crook aka Strook – with a striking presentation of metal engraving across the frame.

Strook and theo met each other about four years ago through the platform for young designers De Invasie. Soon afterwards, Strook had a show at the theo Gallery in Antwerp and created a display window for theo-Somers Optiek (above).

Fashion by THEO

The ensuing collection proposes four powerful designs inspired by one of the artist’s characteristic line drawings, linked to Antwerp: models named Zoo, Diamond, Hand and Fashion, each with a little piece of the symbol of the city in the upper left-hand corner. theo designer Bracké explains: “In order to come up with the forms for the glasses, I took inspiration from Strook’s interplay of lines. The models had been roughly sketched first, but the final result was completely different!”

Available in eight colours, and a choice of matt or glossy finish, the insides of the frames have a striking, sometimes contrasting colour scheme. All four stainless steel models can be fitted with optical or sun lenses, with a spectacular look, either way. For further information visit www.theo.be. View the video featuring the artist at https://vimeo.com/122090711 /www.strook.eu CN