28th December 2011 Graz announced the release of this range yesterday. It’s said to feature a combination of various materials and finishes….designer Mulcahy is releasing the first 3 versions this week, but promises more to come. Shapes are stupendous in this line…a square, a hexagon favourite of ours and a lemon shape. www.grazmulcahy.com CN
29th November 2011 If there is a little girl on your holiday gift list, here is an ideal present for a future fashionista – colourful sunglasses from Zoobug. Created by eye surgeon Dr. Julie Le, she is very aware about eye care for youngsters, and she has an instinctive feel for what appeals to the young set. The Mini frames (above) feature UV 400 polycarbonate shatterproof lenses, and rubber tips ensure that the frames stay put on little faces. Children will love the variety of cheerful colours! Available in London at Harrods and Marie Chantal, and at www.littlefashiongallery.com / www.zoobug.com JG
8th November 2011 As a long-term fan and wearer of Emmanuelle Khan eyewear, I’m delighted at the enthusiastic response to the renaissance of the brand. Khanh’s statement frames, with signature oversized shapes, in brilliantly glossy acetate, are once again enchanting wearers with updated concepts and details. These beautiful sunglasses (above) are from the latest collection, and very uplifting for winter wear. The shape is so flattering; the fit and comfort superb. Available at Profumeria in Rome, and Viola, 25 Connaught Street, London W2 www.emmanuellekhanhparis.com JG
Greek designer Mary Katrantzou (www.marykatranzou.com) showed at London Fashion Week and walked away with some well-earned rave reviews for her head-to-toe floral creations, which are so imaginative and intricate.
To my delight there are some terrific new print designs coming up in eyewear too…and some eyewear designers have taken painstaking steps to create techniques for doing this which are really impressive. One example of a statement print frame for women, using florals and animal prints through the range, is this sweet shape below from Australia’s Jono Hennessy. Watch this space for our selection of the stand-out fabric styles in the months ahead….www.jonohennesy.com CN
Image above: Mary Katrantzou London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012. Source: www.londonfashionweek.com Credit: catwalking.com
28th October 2011 The next stop on our Austrian eyewear tour is to meet Klaus Huber, designer at Robert La Roche, the iconic brand who has been creating statement frames since the 1970’s. Klaus shares his design philosophy with Eyestylist.
“My inspiration for designs is life – it means that I travel a lot. In doing so, I let myself be inspired by urban life, even by the city I am living in. Vienna gives me a special attitude towards Imperial life, the culture and arts of a modern global city. Coupled with the past, it is a perfect ‘Viennese mélange’ – a Viennese coffee mixture. My approach to design is, as with sculptors, working on mass, which is brought by condensation or rejuvenation, into flowing forms. For me, haptics (the science applying tactile touch), sensation and control, plus interaction with computer application, is very important; facets and sloping areas guarantee a special look. Even the surface of the frame is specially shaped, which requires the best manual skills. We produce in Europe/Japan to achieve optimum quality. But it is getting more and more difficult to obtain the highest standards with competitive prices.
“Of course, I love to work with acetate – it feels silky, soft and warm. It is the kind of material where you can feel the special process in our glasses. I try to take care of Robert La Roche’s heritage. I don’t see myself as a caretaker. I rather want to bring the spirit of the past into the present, and develop it further into the future.” www.robert-laroche.com JG