December 2016

New opening: OOG Concept Store, Gdansk

15th December 2016

A modern, inspired interior is the focus at the second concept store by OOG, located in the Old Town of Gdansk, in Poland. Eyewear expert and owner, Adam Kujawski told Eyestylist: “The interior was designed by Marta Napiorkowska-Losin from Manadesign studio. As with our first store in Sopot, we left her to come up with our new concept.”

Inspired by the old-fashioned lifestyle of Gdansk, Napiorkowska-Losin has kept the mood of OOG’s original store, whilst playing with a contrast of natural materials, metal fittings and a fresh colour direction. The result is a trendsetting store design and a reference for the new wave of modern independent optical retail openings in Europe for 2017.

A very special eye test room has been created in the basement of the building. “During the Second World War, the old town of Gdansk and the building was completely destroyed,” explains Kujawski. “It was rebuilt with a mix of bricks that were left in the ruins. In the walls, it is possible to see an incredible mix of Gothic bricks and much more recent ones from the 20th century.”

3d graffiti on the inside: by Oskar Podolski

Graphic artist Oskar Podolski aka OESU One (www.oesuone.com) has also been involved in the design project downstairs, creating a 3d graffiti with a quote by Jose Saramago, roughly translating: “Everybody’s world is what his eyes can see.”

Address: OOG Concept store, Szeroka 17, Gdansk, Poland. For more information about OOG in Poland visit www.oog.com.pl CN

Reviews

Explorer – Karmoie

12th December 2016

An elegantly refined aviator shape – Explorer – in luminous crystal acetate is among the remarkable new designs from Karmoie. The Norwegian brand features exemplary quality Mazzucchelli acetate and Carl Zeiss lenses, with the frames solely handcrafted and polished in Italy. Explorer is also available in Black, Twig, Forest and Havana. Discover more about this environmentally friendly brand at www.karmoie.com JG

Design & Inspiration

Symphony of colour

10th December 2016

An imaginative spectrum of colour invigorates eyewear designs with savvy, eye-opening results. Whether solid colours, bi-or tri-colourations, plus fun variations, ravishing colour in frame designs can become a wondrous, bold adventure. Vividly bright or elegantly muted, frame colours offer intriguing options. Oliviero Zanon’s collection for Res/Rei includes the striking Amalfi (above) in superb hues of Mazzucchelli acetate with a seductive retro shape. www.resrei.com

Vibrant colour highlights Showoff by WOOW – an oversized frame with a chic double bridge, and streamlined composition. www.wooweyewear.com

Victor by Kirk & Kirk is an engaging mix of dark forest green on a lighter lime base which results in a glorious shade of Emerald. The tones react differently in changing light, and give the illusion of dancing colours. www.kirkandkirk.com

Ronette clutch by Pollipo' — Ronette clutch by Pollipo’

The colour excitement extends to eyewear accessories too. Italian craftsmanship excels in Pollipo’s clutch case – Ronette – in an exclusive patchwork of gold and rose gold in a crocodile pattern on natural Tuscan leather. www.pollipocchiali.it

Reviews

Mykita for the German Collective

7th December 2016

The German Collective – a group of innovative optical retail experts and friends with stores around the country – have created a new collaborative frame with German eyewear company, MYKITA. VOLT, a sporty, unisex design, in keeping with the aesthetics and technical concept of Mykita Mylon, is limited to 100 pieces and will only be available through the German Collective members’ stores (from 3rd December 2016). Produced in storm grey with ultra flat lenses, the frame is made using a 3D printing technique called Selective Laser Sintering.

“We started our collaboration with Garrett Leight, and this is our latest project,” explains Akram Husseini from Klar Augenoptik. “We love great design and good friendship and we think that by doing a limited edition together it makes our stores especially interesting. The next edition will come in Spring 2017.”

The German Collective includes five optical stores: 6MillionGlasses, Specs Berlin, Steingasse 14, Leidmann and Klar. The stores specialise in independent collections and artisan eyewear and they share a passion for design and quality. CN

Design & Inspiration

So right now: oversized, über cool

6th December 2016

More extreme proportions lend a dynamic look to eyewear for women as 2017 approaches. The rise of the oversized metal aviator as a “statement” has boosted this direction, and style influencers are continuing to sport the design as the ultimate fashion accessory, whether they require prescription lenses or not. New quality aviator shapes are a staple at many of the small and medium sized independent eyewear labels specialising in metal. One such example, the German independent label Coblens, produces distinctive aviator designs in high grade titanium: pictured above, model 30066 from their Luna Park line. www.coblens.com

In the acetate collections too, a broad offering of more substantial shapes include deeper, generous sized cat eyes and cool retro “geek-chic-revival” designs.

Sierra by Spectacle Eyeworks — Sierra / Pussy Galore Collection by Spectacle Eyeworks

Spectacle Eyeworks have created several new designs in this vein, including the elegant Sierra in the Pussy Galore Collection. In subtle acetate colours, pretty striated versions, the style works the fuller shape with fine lines and the characteristic pointed top corners of the cateye.

www.spec-eyeworks.com

Having a ball by Christian Roth — Having A Ball by Christian Roth

Christian Roth, the iconic American “designer” eyewear label, now partnered with Dita, proposes a similar femininity in a large round sixties-inspired design. The designer describes the frame as “a look that is straight out of a beatnik Greenwich Village coffee shop” when fitted with optical lenses. It’s one of several frames in the new line that bridge the old and the new, playing with modern colourways and materials with expertise and know-how. More information on Christian Roth’s new line at www.christianroth.com CN