The independent sustainable eyewear materials innovators, REGRIND have announced that the latest BALENCIAGA eyewear collection features a model in several colours made from the recycled material that they have developed over the last few years. REGRIND utilizes old discarded eyewear and repurposes it to make a new attractive circular acetate material suitable for new designs.

The recycling rate of the old eyewear is an impressive 98%, and the resulting bio acetate material has multiple properties in terms of its quality, flexibility and durability, as well as endless creative possibilities for colour and pattern. Each frame produced through this process has up to 35% lower CO2 emissions compared to a standard frame according to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Above: REGRIND recycled material samples – the colours and patterns of the material have been developed for high-quality collections

Furthermore, the REGRIND team has taken care to ensure that the electricity used in the regrinding process is certified to come from renewable sources. The REGRIND process is ISCC plus certified and measured by the ISO14040 method to follow a fair and scientific Life Cycle Analysis.

REGRIND by EOE Eyewear – a company founded in Swedish Lapland – is one of the leading materials innovators in Europe, working for change towards a more sustainable eyewear industry, where design and quality together, come first. To find out more about the REGRIND process visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/06/regrind-an-innovative-approach-to-circular-design/ For further information visit www.regrind.se

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A new 3D printed collection by HOET – produced in Belgium – features a satin-inspired finish like that of different fabrics including satin and toile. The eyewear is made from liquid resin which the design company says offers a new opportunity in eyewear design.

“Sustainability and eco-friendly production remain key as this new materials causes no material waste. The liquid resin hardens through photopolymerisation, leaving a hard structure which is tactile and soft to the touch…”  HOET Eyewear

The Satin Collection by Cabrio is a new launch for HOET Eyewear for Spring/Summer 2024. To find out more about the Cabrio brand, and how the collection uses new materials and innovative techniques to create unique aesthetics in eyewear, visit https://cabrio-eyewear.be/

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Rolf has received the CSE Certified Sustainable Eyewear – Sunglasses Europe Category – at the Mido eyewear show in Milan this weekend, a further accolade that brings much well-deserved recognition from the optical segment for the brand’s sustainable innovation and design. Their new Wire collection, which is 3D printed using rapidly renewable castor beans, offers plant-based optical and sunglass models which are light, robust and durable – with a researched qualitative contemporary design.

The frames in the Wire collection are characterised by coloured threads to create an artistic accent. They feature timeless shapes and a stylish finish, while also making a clear statement about preserving our planet and evolving materials in eyewear to meet this need.

The unique glasses from Rolf – whether they’re made out of wood, stone, or the new sustainable material – can be purchased at selected optical retailers and in the two flagship stores in Vienna and Reutte, Austria. www.rolf-spectacles.com

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MYKITA, the Berlin innovation-led design brand, is pushing for a more considered approach to eyewear shopping, and greater focus on longer lasting, quality frame design. In this light, the brand is highlighting their MYCARE service which includes frame maintenance and refurbishment, customised adjustments, and professional eyewear cleaning.

Product aftercare is available free of charge at MYKITA Shops worldwide to ensure MYKITA eyewear feels new for as long as possible, and looks, fits, and functions the way it was designed.

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Bird Eyewear has recently launched a new frame design made from Plantix, a brand new, low-carbon bio-acetate designed in-house by Bird. Unlike some of the conventional materials derived from petroleum-based sources, Plantix is a bio-acetate produced from naturally renewable materials. The sustainable production process uses acetic acid and plant-based polymers to create the material, which is then coloured with plant-based dyes. Above: new model Harrier in Olive – the natural colours, which also include Caramel and Dusk, are inspired by the local landscape of Devon in the South West of England (UK)

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The latest additions to Yair Neuman’s ‘Lens-made objects’ collection have been presented at the London Design Festival this season. The new pieces, handmade from upcycled waste spectacle lenses, encompass wall lights, table lights and frosted finish pendants as well as spectacle frames made from Delerex®, a material comprised of 100% recycled lenses developed by the designer. Above: the Lonely Halo light is suspended from a brass tube

In conjunction with the fish-scale like surfaces he has been creating with the lenses, the new edition of Lens Lights introduces innovative new granulated surfaces. “The development allows higher material turnover, more efficient shaping, and an increased production capacity. Consequently, the quantity of discarded lenses that can be recycled sees a significant rise,” the designer explains.

Delerex® eyewear, designed by Yair Neuman, is produced by the French eyewear company La Maison Bourgeat (www.atelier-bourgeat.com), the only producer in the world currently making frames from recycled lenses. Find out more at www.yairneuman.com /

For more on Yair Neuman’s work visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/01/eyestylist-exclusive-delerex-frames-made-from-100-waste-lenses/

Photography by Jonathan Minster

Copyright disclaimer: this Eyestylist feature first appeared on EYESTYLIST.COM on 25th October 2023.

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“These images are full of symbolism, reflecting our deep conviction in circularity, environmental action and the need for widespread material re-use,” said François van den Abeele, Founder of Sea2see. “Travelling to various fishing villages and coastal environments, the scenes express the essence, extraordinary colours and reality of the coastal and fishing environment, the unique biodiversity in the sea… whilst the models wear the fishing nets, plastic bottles, fishhooks and buoys…symbolic of what is discarded on beaches, polluting these spectacular natural shores…”

Model Panarea – produced in 100% marine plastic, has a large eye-catching silhouette – and represents one of the fashion-oriented designs in the 2023 collection, offered in timeless tones of black, Havana blue and graduated burgundy (pictured in image below).

All the eyewear featured in the imagery is part of Sea2see’s current “seastainable” ophthalmic and sunglasses collection 2023. Find out more at www.sea2see.org

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Silmo 2023: Nina Mûr’s new modernist collection is informed by Bauhaus art, design and architecture. Founded in Germany in 1919 by the architect Walter Gropius, the vision and influential design language of the Bauhaus movement has served as the basis for the design of the glasses – their structure and beautiful high-quality, crafted design details. Advocating a union between function and form, and seeking simplicity and functionality in design, Bauhaus stood out for its focus on the integration of arts and crafts with architecture and industrial design, something which Lorena Serrano, Creative Director, has studied astutely for this line. Above: Bhaus by Nina Mûr – the new styles have exciting shapes and a colour story that emerges with different characteristics and moods…above left, model Walter and right, model Oskar – both showing asymmetric details for fronts 

Serrano explains: “We have delved into the Bauhaus design philosophy, which emphasized functionality, simplicity and clean aesthetics, with noble and simple materials, merging craft and technology to innovate and offer a functional product.
 The common points and how this philosophy is aligned with the philosophy and values of Nina Mûr are truly surprising….”  

The new collection, which consists of 5 new sunglass models, encompasses distinctive Bauhaus influences, with features such as clean lines, geometric shapes and simple yet noble materials, minimal codes which are dear to the brand. They move away from an overly ornate style and embrace minimalism in the design, functionality and clean structure of each of the frames.

Melding the arts, technology and crafts to come up with a functional, minimalist and clear design, the collection has been carefully conceived for all those who appreciate elegance, simplicity and modernity in their eyewear design. Another must-see for Silmo Paris this week. Find out more at : www.ninamur.com

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RECYCLED MATERIALS: GREATER TRANSPARENCY ABOUT EYEWEAR MATERIALS IN USE

Mykita draws attention to the importance of recycling which is key to the circular economy, helping to protect natural resources. Setting a standard for sharing details about the specific materials in its collections, most recently, the company has published the details about the metal materials it is currently using. Over 90% of purchased frame materials at MYKITA are recycled:

“Our metal frames are made from stainless steel consisting of 90% recycled content. We now also return our leftover stainless steel as raw material to our supplier’s recycling plant in Sweden – a closed loop operation.” Image above: courtesy of Mykita

Already in 2022, for their acetate collections, Mykita fully switched to using recycled acetate in a partnership with Eastman, the producers of Eastman Acetate Renew, a bio-based material made from certified sustainable wood pulp that uses recycled waste plastics in place of fossil based resources. www.mykita.com

DEMO LENSES: A MOVE TO RECYCLED + RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

In Autumn 2022, the French company Morel introduced recycled and recyclable demo lenses in 100% of their frames. The demonstration lenses, built with recycled acrylic, make up a virtuous circle as they are infinitely recyclable, the Morel team say.

At Morel, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions are separated into three main themes: product commitment, environmental commitment, and social responsibility. To be open and transparent about these activities and how they will evolve for the future, the company has published a manifesto which details their projects and progress in these areas, available from their website at www.morel-france.com

DEVELOPING CIRCULAR OPERATIONS TO REMOVE WASTE FROM THE SEA + CREATE “SEASTAINABLE” PRODUCTS

The B CORP Certified and Carbon Negative company Sea2see has created its own Foundation in Africa to enable an ongoing collection of rubbish from the coast by the local communities. Those involved are paid for the work, and the collection to clean up the marine environment is centered around 20 fishing communities in Ghana, involving around 500 people with a collection success of 25,000 kg (on average) of waste collected each month. Sea2see is now driving this model in other regions including Senegal, since 2020. Some of the waste is turned into a certified raw material called UPSEA PLAST which has obtained Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification. The material is suitable to make robust, strong eyewear which is comfortable to wear and bright and colourful – manufactured to high quality standards in Italy – as well as a stylish collection of watches which Sea2see produces at one of the leading watch makers in Switzerland. Find out more about Sea2see activities at www.sea2see.org

PIONEERING DEVELOPMENT IN RECYCLING / REPURPOSING EYEWEAR / CREATING UNIQUE COLOURS AND PATTERNS IN NEW “REGRIND” DESIGNS – PROCESS REQUIRES UP TO 35% LESS Co2 THAN VIRGIN ACETATE

REGRIND represents a step forward in recycling old disused eyewear and creating a raw material from the old frames, which is then used in a new circular production. The success of the REGRIND process continues to grow – with the creation of aesthetically colourful and stylish varieties (the material is patented ISCC and certified bio-circular – produced in Sweden), that have a wide choice of marbled, flecked, smokey, stone-inspired and Havana-like colorations. The materials are now available to all eyewear designers.

The couple behind the REGRIND innovation – Emilia and Erik Lindmark – who are the co-founders also of EOE Eyewear showed their most recent REGRIND frame designs at OPTI in January in a limited edition that is striking and bold, both in colour and finish. To find out more about REGRIND visit our interview with the creators about the creation of the new material: https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/06/regrind-an-innovative-approach-to-circular-design/ www.regrind.se

Eyestylist is interested to hear from all independent optical/frame companies who wish to talk about their latest steps in becoming more sustainable. Please contact us at info@eyestylist.com – this feature was written by EYESTYLIST.COM – all rights reserved.

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The avantgarde eyewear label, VAVA, created by Pedro da Silva, has released a sustainability report, which sets out its pathway as a fashion brand towards “a more conscious, transparent and sustainable fashion industry”. Through the report, the VAVA team expresses its fears, hopes and commitments, stating that they wish to demarcate the line between an industry that speaks and an industry that acts.

The VAVA THEOREM is the result of a deep commitment to sustainability, change and genuine progress. “One of the purposes is to convey vital information in a clear and organised fashion, so that the reader can understand the development and concepts behind the evolution of VAVA’s sustainability project, explains Pedro da Silva. “Our Theorem is not merely reportage but also represents our effort to bring greater transparency to our endeavours in terms of the environmental, societal and political challenges that all of us face, globally.”

Among the areas considered in the report on 2021 are Environmental Protection, Economic Prosperity and Social Responsibility. It also outlines VAVA’s consultancy programme with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) a commitment which is allowing the brand to build a 360º sustainability strategy with clear goals and deadlines. VAVA has also revealed that it also recently joined the internationally renowned organisation, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD).

To read the full sustainability report, visit https://theorem.vavaeyewear.com

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Rolf Spectacles is driving forward with further innovation and design “firsts” in 3D printed sustainable eyewear. Their latest addition to the 3D printed plant-based frames is a new surface structure called ‘Substance Honey’. It replicates a honeycomb pattern across the surface of the designs. The natural beauty of the pattern was selected to “pay homage to the bees”. It acts as a reminder of the values behind the ‘Substance’ bean-based collection, a multi-award winner for its green and sustainable design innovation. Above: Bernhard and Roland Wolf at Silmo 2022 in Paris, on the presentation of the new eyewear collections and ‘Substance’ Honey collection – Photography by Amanda Sellem exclusively for Eyestylist.com 

The new surface adds a discreet aesthetic look to the frame which is minimal, refined and completely different from other 3D printed frame designs. The collection also features smooth 3D printed frames and styles with a texture of “shattered earth”. The model Rigi in the Substance Mount collection features this effect.  (https://www.rolf-spectacles.com/optical/substance-mount/rigi/).

The colour palette Colours in the collection for the new season range from natural stone, rock and nature inspired tones of grey, grey-blue, mocha and green as well as a few brighter colours which include a bright sapphire blue. All Substance frames are made from beans which originate from fast growing castor trees. The frame hinges, referred to as the ‘Flexlock hinge system’ are 3D printed at the same time and location as the frames themselves, further reducing impact on the planet. Find out more about Rolf Spectacles sustainable eyewear at www.rolf-spectacles.com

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Rolf Spectacles have been recognised for their sustainable and eco-friendly design work in the field of eyewear winning the consumer category of the Bundesminiosterium (BMDW) Staatspreis Design 2022. In a statement by the jury, their design style was praised for its “functional, detail-conscious, balanced, discreet” look. “Rolf glasses enable a sustainable, environmentally friendly [path] into the future”, they added. Photo credit: BMDW/Silveri

The Staatspreis Design is an Austrian State award, and the highest accolade in the country for design innovation. “We are overjoyed and proud of our entire team,” said Roland Wolf, company co-founder. “Even being nominated for the State Prize for Design was very important to us. To actually win it is something really big for us.”

The Substance collection, made from the beans of a fast-growing species of the Euphorbiaceae was first launched in 2020, and has won multiple awards since then, including a Silmo D’Or in Paris in 2021. Find out more: www.rolf-spectacles.com

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London-based product designer Yair Neuman has created a line of frames in DELEREX – a material made from waste lenses he collects from opticians and glazing labs. “I always wanted to use the material to make frames, he told Eyestylist. “After a period of creating other design objects from the material I was able to adapt it to frame-making and the results are very pleasing. I now make dedicated DELEREX slabs for frame cutting and process them using a combination of traditional and non-traditional manufacturing methods. All my frames are made by hand in London.”

First launched as a mini collection produced in collaboration with Cubitts in London last winter (2020)., Neuman set about designing and developing more styles and tweaked the production processes on the way. Now the frames are stocked by leading boutiques including Gogosha in Los Angeles. According to the designer, Julia Gogosha understood the aim of the project immediately.

Sustainability is one of the core principles of Neuman’s work in general. “Working with recycled waste rather than using virgin material is pretty obvious to me,” he explained. “I am not going to compete with acetate on practical terms – the other values of DELEREX are more important in this project, even if the optician needs to work a little harder to adjust it. My target here was to create something beautiful in its own right. DELEREX has the most magnificent depth and sheen, it is something between mother of pearl and marble.”

Neuman studied design in The Netherlands (Design Academy) and in London (Ravensbourne) and first became involved in eyewear design at Ron Arad’s pq Eyewear. He has since worked in Zimbabwe where he started a social project combining local craft with 3D printed parts to produce frames with zero waste. He then founded Wires Glasses producing innovative hingeless folding metal frames. In 2019, the first project featuring DELEREX was launched with Cubitts. “We have been occasionally collaborating on design, production and my DELEREX range ever since,” he adds. For more products created by Yair Neuman visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/02/recycled-plano-lenses-for-design-lens-light-heads/ This feature was written by Clodagh Norton at Eyestylist.com – all rights reserved.

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With its consistent leaning toward sustainable design and 100% natural materials including wood, buffalo horn and stone since its creation in 2009, and a hugely endearing, intuitive ‘slow fashion’ philosophy built on time-honored handcrafting techniques and artisan design, Rolf Spectacles has quietly achieved numerous awards and accolades for its elegant, timeless frame design. Their most recent  – the EUROPEAN GREEN AWARD Gold Trophy, is perhaps the culmination of their journey in eyewear and how much they have achieved so far – in a landscape where questions over sustainable “authenticity” and transparency in fashion and eyewear have become increasingly relevant.

Their winning entry – the Substance collection – launched in 2020 – is plant based and eco-friendly, produced locally in Austria in an environmentally respectful way from a raw material – beans from the Euphorbiaceae family – that regrow quickly and easily. Created with minimum waste 3D printing technology, these contemporary frames are also free from screws and other parts thanks to the brand’s signature Flexlock hinge. This technical detail – a feature in other collections by Rolf – ensures the frames have qualities of robustness, durability and easy maintenance as well as delivering on design. The hinge can also be printed at the same time as the frame using 3D printing technology, meaning Rolf can make its new glasses all in one go – keeping the number of external suppliers to a minimum. In addition to the high performance of the screwless and patent-pending Flexlock hinge, glasses wearers benefit from the flexible, natural, skin-friendly properties of the plant-based frame.

In powdered form, not only does the natural material of the Substance collection meet all technical requirements, it boasts impressive sustainability credentials – down to the last detail. The plants are grown in tropical climates without any kind of genetic engineering; they don’t compete with food crops; and they can grow very tall at speed.

The Rolf team told Eyestylist that they expect this collection to have increasing success in their local markets such as Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where consumers have a strong and increasing interest in and desire to buy sustainable products that are traceable and natural as well as produced locally in an environmentally friendly way.

The EUROPEAN GREEN AWARD (an initiative by the European Institute of Applied Sustainability) brings national and international recognition for special sustainable achievements of companies as well as individuals and honors – via an international jury of experts  – green products, projects, events, hotels, marketing and change makers who have done excellent work for sustainable development in Europe. Find out more about the award-winning Substance collection at www.rolf-spectacles.com This article was written by Clodagh Norton – all rights reserved.

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Following a lockdown design project with Cubitts of London, making lights with repurposed optical lenses, Yair Neuman has gone on to create a new line of pendant lights called Lens Light Heads, available to purchase at design site HARTH.

Handmade from upcycled spectacle lenses, Neuman has created sculptural pendant lights in a limited special edition. The exclusive designs use contemporary 3D design with an acute understanding of the circular economy, and a donation to the Climate Coalition will be made with every light purchased.

The Lens Light Heads are an ideal pendant feature light for the home or store interior. The spherical structures are delicate and elegant, surrounded by a halo of the petal-like lenses. Two halves are fixed with brass rivets. Each piece is easy to install with a simple cable and hook system, to allows for maximum flexibility. The overall effect is of an organic form, a little like a flower head. The Lens Light Heads emit a glow when switched on, but also gleam with iridescence when unlit, due to the unique material that Neuman has devised.

From his extensive work in eyewear design, Neuman has seen first-hand the hidden waste in the business and the Lens Light collection is a direct response, showing firstly that the waste exists, and secondly how the material can be turned into something aesthetically beautiful and useful – for years to come. Neuman developed the waste plano lenses into a sheet material after extensive experimentation. The result is a material that is strong, attractive, and that clearly communicates the story of the potential reuse of this type of waste. Find out more at https://harth.space/ (@harth_space) to purchase the products  / Visit www.yairneuman.com for more on the designer. Written by Clodagh Norton for Eyestylist.com

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