independent eyewear

Eyewear trends: qualities of pattern

20th November 2025

Eyewear designers are revisiting the powerful elegance of patterned acetates

Silmo 2025 revealed an important direction in eyewear this season: patterned materials are being re-explored by designers to achieve visual interest, texture and depth in a frame. These striking effects, often paired with unique bold colour combinations, make a statement. Frequently the patterns reference traditional patterns such as tortoiseshell and Havana acetate colours and designs; in some cases, eyewear designers are working in collaboration with the Italian acetate producer, Mazzucchelli, to create their own limited edition custom patterned designs. Above: from the Roots Capsule collection by Gigi Studios, a series of frames inspired by the strength and resilience of nature. The frame pictured is called Cassia. In collaboration with Mazzucchelli, exclusive acetates featuring mineral-like veins have been developed, adding chromatic richness and visual depth – www.gigistudios.com

Dodds by l.a. eyeworks in a pattern called “Jester”

A charismatic frame by l.a. eyeworks, style Dodds is a fine example of how pattern and colour can bring exciting individuality to a design. The Dodds style is offered in several fabulous multicoloured patterned varieties, each one bringing a different graphic effect and injection of colour, whether vivid and bold or soft and translucent. www.laeyeworks.com

Stone Arch Bridge by OGI Eyewear – a wash of pretty blush pink

A frame which pays tribute to timeless craftsmanship and enduring style, ‘Stone Arch Bridge’ by Ogi Eyewear features a classic round shape with pretty bevelling around the rim. The frame comes in this sophisticated patterned blush tone with an alluring artistic quality that draws on classic acetate pattern. www.ogieyewear.com

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

Flashback by Italian eyewear label, rewind – subtly modern patterns are a feature of the collection

Italian eyewear brand, rewind plays with classically inspired patterned acetates with a modern twist. Their faceted Flashback frame comes in this trendy pattern that is flecked with black and yellow highlights. The style itself is inspired by a 1990s shape and has visibly sculpted edges on the frame front. www.rewindeyewear.com

Retrosuperfuture patterned frame, Vega in a pattern described as “graffiato” (in English, “scratched”)

The Vega frame by Retrosuperfuture is part of this brand’s Autumn/Winter collection which explores facets of today’s culture, design references and Italian heritage. The style is described as a 1920s inspired silhouette modernised through geometries, new volumes and research in acetate. www.retrosuperfuture.com

Design + Inspiration

Silmo Paris Preview: Gigi Studios’ VANGUARD

11th September 2024

Bold, contemporary designs characterise the Vanguard collection, a collection by the Spanish fashion eyewear brand from Barcelona

Gigi Studios is previewing new models in its sun and optical collections, including the popular Vanguard range which fuses sophistication and “a fashion-forward attitude”. The new additions in the Vanguard Optical and Sunglass collections have strong architectural shapes and feature a range of unique gradient acetates, crafted after numerous trials – to achieve the ideal shades. Above: unisex model Lumi has an aviator inspired shape, and features in Gigi Studios’ new campaign called “Good Luck”

Rosalia by Gigi Studios: the frame feels like a mask and has subtle bevels to create a trendy finish

In summary, models Anja and Rosalia in the Vanguard collection have an earthy and ochre-infused colour palette to capture the essence of the Autumn/Winter season, with subtle highlights to enhance the designs. Among the sun models are gradient effects which have been meticulously developed in vertical and horizontal lines to achieve the collection’s feminine and vanguardist aesthetic.

Roberta in the Vanguard collection by Gigi Studios: a large, modern shield design – above, the oval Anja sunglasses with a gradient effect

Vanguard is known for its daring, statement shapes sculpted from lightweight acetates, showcasing intricate angles and bevels. In the new designs, technical advancements have been at the forefront of the development of the collection with the introduction of new hinges and customized components engraved with the Gigi Studios logo. At Silmo, Gigi Studios will also show new designs in the Icons, Mens and Lab collections. Find out more at www.gigistudios.com

Reviews

Independent eyewear: Erker’s Special Reserve model Murray

5th August 2024

The new style is the latest addition in the limited-production Special Reserve collection

A masculine design, with luxurious details, the new Murray style from Erker’s 1879 features a mix of surgical steel and cellulose acetate and has been handcrafted in small batches, only 100 of each colour. A new development for the Special Reserve collection, the Murray is the first eyeglass to stray from the usual acetate build with a combination design. An acetate brow section has been paired with slim metal rims, which are decorated with a diamond-like pattern along the outer edge. Much like the rest of the collection, the frame boasts an ornate temple design and is named after one of the long-time sales reps of the heritage brand. Above: a handsome combination style: the Murray glasses by Erker’s 1879

Murray by Erker’s, pictured in terrazzo (above) and tortoise (below)

In summary, the Murray eyeglasses were designed with a classic rectangular silhouette, created in four colours, navy with silver, tortoise, terrazzo, and matte black. Never before seen at Erker’s 1879, the Terrazzo colour blend pairs warm orange and cool blue tones for a unique, contemporary style, complemented by the lustrous golden rims. The three additional colours are more simple and classic, allowing the metal elements to shine.

Continuing their tradition of storytelling, the Special Reserve collection encapsulates the 145-year history of their heritage brand with special insignia throughout the design of each frame. Inspiring the Ferris wheel rivets on the face and temples of the frame, the Erker family served as the official photographer of the 1904 World’s Fair, capturing the legendary Ferris wheel in downtown St. Louis. In 1927, the brand’s founding brothers designed the goggles worn by Charles Lindbergh for the first-ever nonstop transatlantic flight, which is represented by the goggles etched on the temple tips. The story doesn’t end there, with various custom elements relating to the five generations to run the business since their inception and their history in the city of St. Louis.

Erker’s 1879 have confirmed that they will soon release three additional eyeglass models in the Special Reserve collection.

https://erkers1879.com/pages/erkers-special-reserve

Reviews

Independent eyewear: Jade by JISCO is fresh with colour

8th July 2024

New summery optical style Jade – one of several new releases – is informed by the Mediterranean

JISCO Eyewear’s latest ophthalmic designs take the beauty of the Mediterranean sea as a fundamental inspiration for the new collection. Using Artificial Intelligence, the design team explored what they call “new forms of visual expression” to capture the fresh and colourful essence of the sea in a creative and original way. Above: Jade Publ from JISCO has a magnificent multi-sided shape and multi-colored pattern

Crafted with attention to detail to redefine comfort and style, one of the standout features of the collection is the vibrant palette of modern colours and integrated patterns. From bold hues to fun colours, patterns and combinations, JISCO Eyewear proposes a wide range of shades to add personality to different looks. Above: Jade in the colourway “Publ” from JISCO has a magnificent multi-sided shape and multi-colored pattern – flashes of shocking pink and light blue appear on the upper rim of the design

Jade Publ by JISCO – the striking patterned design from the Barcelona-based brand

Exotic colour and design flourishes are not the only focus in this line, which also hones in on the wearability and ultimate comfort of each frame. “The fit of our glasses sets a new standard for comfort”, says the eyewear team at JISCO. “Precision engineered, the frames provide an impeccable fit, allowing you to wear them for long periods without any discomfort. The designs emphasise ergonomics, ensuring that the glasses feel like a natural extension of your face.”

Model Jade in this Summer collection by JISCO is available in four unique colourways of brown/blue, red/wood effect, multicoloured (above) and a beautiful crystal variation with black/red flashes on temples and upper rim. Find out more at www.jiscoeyewear.com

Reviews

Independent eyewear: Frames of 2023 – ‘R4’ Liquid Sky by Kuboraum

28th December 2023

Inspired by the 80’s dystopian post-punk cult movie, the latest drop from independent eyewear label Kuboraum presents works that are highly textured and fanatical about detail – the R4 mask has a surprising, highly elaborate handcrafted finish

Taking its cues from the 80’s post-punk cult movie, the new Ltd. Edition ‘Liquid Sky’ from Kuboraum is dedicated to fluidity: fluidity of identities, gender, aesthetics, and narratives, the designers explain. Rejecting fixed structures and normative concepts “to embrace the metamorphic state of being”, the line expresses a signature style at Kuboraum where each mask is treated as a work of art, richly textured and made utterly unique by means of striking adornments and embellishments. Above + below: part of the new Liquid Sky drop at Kuboraum – mask R4 in Shiny Black finish