Reviews

Rigards: The Viridi-anne – RG1999TVA

Among the many new pieces shown by Rigards at SILMO, the RG1999TVA stands out for its effortlessly wearable shape and lightweight titanium build

First presented at Paris Fashion Week in June, the new model produced in the collaboration between The Viridi-anne and Rigards draws on a vast array of inspirations. Rigards describes it as recalling an approaching wasp with its antennae up, while at the same time evoking a bird of prey in flight.

The frame has a striking clip system which is secured by a pair of S-curve features: this minute detailing comprises two opposite halves, one closed and one cut-out — flanking the nose bridge, a stylised take on the Yin-Yang symbol. Concealed behind the intricate details are magnets which attach to the main frame with ease and a minimal subtlety.

For decorative effect, the frame and the clip also feature an organic ripple motif, where the delicate lines reference patterns in nature such as dune waves and the ornate foliage of the pinstripe plant. This frame has been released in six elegant colours (some accented with uniquely-placed spot patinas), and it is offered with a semi-hard case made from a single piece of vegetable-tanned Santa Croce leather. For more information, visit the Rigards website at www.rigards.com

Censur by Prodesign: a win at SILMO 2024

Censur, created under the Prodesign brand, won a Silmo D’Or in the “Sunglasses – Eyewear Designer” category this weekend in Paris. The product release is part of a wider project named DANCE, which brings together the Danish and French design teams at Prodesign and Face a Face

Conceived as part of an innovative in-house design initiative called DANCE (combining parts of the words “Danmark x France“), with the idea of opening up a creative opportunity without boundaries, Censur by Prodesign represents a special departure for Design Eyewear Group and all those involved.

The concept originated from an internal design session involving all the designers and giving them free rein to work together and push the limits of traditional eyewear design without any rules. The two resulting frames have a distinctive structural bar across the lenses which the designers explain looks like a rectangular censor bar (the black bar used to cover up sensitive information). The desire was for this structural bold form to “challenge perceptions and invite wearers to experience the world from a different perspective”. In the frame, the beam design added a layer of mystery and sophistication. Above: Censur 2 by Prodesign won the Silmo d’Or 2024 in the “Sunglasses – Eyewear Designer category”

Censur 2 by Prodesign – the unisex frame is characterised by a square eye shape and a bold bar across the front

“Censur is about breaking the mould of traditional eyewear. We created something bold and futuristic, but also refined. The beam across the lenses was designed to evoke curiosity — it’s not just a design feature, it’s an invitation to see things differently. We’re thrilled to have won the SILMO d’Or for this design; it’s a celebration of the vision and collaboration behind Censur and our creative design lab DANCE.” — Lau Ruge, Design Eyewear Group

Censur 1 by Prodesign in bright purple

Censur 1 has the same distinctive bar as its sister frame, in a round shape that has an avant-garde and very individualistic look – and is well suited to the female face given the smaller shape. The colours are striking and include the bright purple above – a variation of one of the most important trending colours we saw at Silmo 2024 this weekend – as well as black or shiny silver. Find out more about Prodesign and Design Eyewear Group at https://designeyeweargroup.com

Silmo preview: Mystique ombré glasses by Ørgreen Optics

The 70s inspired Mystique style is one of three new acetate designs among the new releases for SILMO Paris

A frame which explores a 1970s aesthetic with trending ombré colourways, the new Mystique optical glasses from Ørgreen Optics, designed as a bold statement in the Danish company’s acetate collection, brings a new approach to graduated colour in eyewear. Called the “halo colour palette” by Ørgreen, in a comparison with halo hair colourations, the tones for the Mystique model range from nostalgic hues to vibrant psychedelic tones – in a horizontal gradient shading that has the effect of lighting up and softly enhancing the complexion. The frame is being released in six distinctive colours, of which there are four very fetching feminine ombré variations in clear lemon and caramel, brown crystal and geranium pink, clear dark shadow and citrine yellow and transparent rose violet and crystal crimson. Above: the Mystique model, a new eye-catching graduated acetate frame from the Danish eyewear company

The colours of the Mystique model – a very refined interpretation of the trending ombre effect in eyewear – brown crystal + geranium pink

The new frame is released alongside model Muse and model Candy Cane XS in the Acetate collection at Ørgreen, models which blend timeless elegance and a cutting-edge aesthetic thanks to the precise design work and craftsmanship adopted by Ørgreen and their innovative approach to colour and colour combinations via the expertise of Senior Colour Designer, Sahra Lysell. Find out more about the releases at www.orgreenoptics.com

Götti Switzerland: 3D printed refined

The new style Rogers in the Dimension collection – launched this month – is designed to combine the best qualities of 3D printed customised eyewear

Lightweight functional design with multiple practical qualities: Götti Switzerland’s Dimension collection continues to grow at pace, as the sophisticated finish and quality of its 3D printed collection – and the amazing possibilities of customising the fit – attract lots of fans who want their frames to feel good and wear well. The designs like model Rogers combine classic and modern style, characterised by a minimalist aesthetic and clean lines. The glasses can also be tailor-made, meaning that each individual is able to have the frame created just for them, according to their particular needs.

Above: close-up of model Rogers by Götti Switzerland – the frame has been inspired by vintage eyewear – the detailing and “bevelled” look is currently popular and gives the design a particular refinement

Rogers by Götti Switzerland – in a grey “ash” tone

Götti Switzerland’s Dimension collection was first launched in 2016. Wholly 3D printed, the collection is produced in Switzerland at the company HQ, and has been consistently refined and developed to offer a fine-quality state-of-the-art line that delivers top-notch comfort and durability as well as a cool pared-back subtly luxurious design style.

3D printed eyewear is increasingly popular, not only for its aesthetic qualities and comfort; it is also a sustainable form of eyewear production, thanks to the reduced waste in additive manufacturing and the opportunity to produce custom-made frames, avoiding over production and the problem of wasteful dead stock. For more information visit: www.gotti.ch

Erker’s Special Reserve: Murray

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)

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 ­