Home

Canadian Crafts

Spectacle Eyeworks, Vancouver, British Columbia

Milan, 6th March, 2011 When I lived in Canada, memorable artistic moments included the discovery of the country’s Native design. The extraordinary totem poles, particularly outstanding in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, are the inspiration for wood frames by Spectacle Eyeworks. Each frame is crafted from sustainable, certified Canadian maple wood. The frames are amazingly lightweight, as they are placed on a rimless wire mount behind the wooden front piece. Expertly carved fish, miniature Indians and other motifs from authentic totem poles are replicated on the temples, sculpted, and then the wood is polished. The frames truly are a work of art! JG www.spec-eyeworks.com

10 Corso Como

The Skyline Edition 

Ørgreen’s Skyline Edition has been introduced into the lifestyle store, 10 Corso Como in Milan this Spring. Owner Carla Sozzani has hand selected the special edition chairs and frames to be exhibited at this well-loved Italian fashion haven. To see further images visit http://10corsocomo-thejournal.com/2011/01/copenaghen-welcome-2/

 

 

In October 2010, Ørgreen joined forces with Republic of Fritz Hansen™ to produce a series of special edition Arne Jacobsen Swan™ chairs and eyewear featuring the Copenhagen skyline which appears as a fine laser cut detail along the temples of the frame. The Swan™ leather backed chair carries an elegant detail stitched on the wool front. CN www.orgreen.dk

Caroline Abram, Filao Paris

Mido fair preview

Caroline Abram of Filao Paris is one of the best known luxury eyewear accessory designers…with her optical background (her mother Annette Hoffman runs the stunning Les Createurs d’Opta in Paris ….www.opta-createurs.net) it is not surprising that Caroline has been tempted to design her own elegant acetate optical frame and sunglass collections, produced in France exclusively. I have just had the chance to preview what she will show in Milan this week…a choice of luxurious feminine plastic designs in zingy colours and combinations such as purple with crimson. (more…)

Pierre Eyewear

Spectacles inspired by Italy’s iconic Vespa

French designer Pierre Cariven of Pierre Eyewear has come up with this charming idea for launch in Italy this week…a pair of spectacles inspired by the vespa! Pierre is a vespa fan and formerly owned a black PX125. This frame is of course a collector’s item…and not the first that Pierre has created. Other exotic shapes include a Porsche (the 911 specifically) and a salamander….you can view these and other exciting models including some cute, very-wearable “Vichy Limited” Brigitte Bardot inspired creations on the website www.pierre-eyewear.com CN

Trussardi, Milan

Spring/summer 2011, a new collection of sunglasses and spectacles from the Italian lifestyle brand

Trussardi’s new sunglass collection is one of a great long list of brands I hope to get to see at the international optics fair Mido  this week (www.mido.com). I’ve not yet had the chance to see this collection up close, but from what I hear, it answers the checklist of special qualities found in the Trussardi fashion collections…craftsmanship, luxury materials, and an ability to interpret retro in a beautiful, contemporary way. The model pictured above (Tru Trussardi TR12805) is a classic shape, with a leather detail laid on the temple. It’s very understated but gives the frame a unique appeal. I would love to be wearing this one as a matter of fact!!

Café Trussardi – I shall also be visiting the Café Trussardi this week for a press event. If you are in the centre of Milan, it’s really a beautiful place to call in; it offers a Milanese café experience of the highest order, and it’s near the La Scala Opera House. Apart from the outstanding location, I am told the coffee and particularly the ‘macchiato’ is one of the best in Milan, quite a feat in a city which has an enticing café near every street corner. CN

www.trussardi.com/trussardi_cafe.html

Trussardi Spring/Summer 2011