Hoya and Nidek Become Partners

Hoya Vision Care, a leading innovator in optical technology, has announced a partnership with Nidek, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic and optometric equipment. The global agreement between Hoya Vision Care and Nidek offers eye care professionals access to a complete portfolio of optical instruments and products, from eye exams and consultations to the final delivery of high-quality lenses. “Our strategic partnership with trusted optical leader Nidek aligns with Hoya Vision Care’s mission to provide innovative solutions and high quality products to valued eye care professionals, supporting them in developing their businesses and what they offer to their patients. By bringing together our organizations’ optical expertise, technologies and solutions, we are creating a seamless approach for eye care professionals to expand the services they offer their patients and focus on quality eye care for all,” said Alexandre Montague, Ceo of Hoya Vision Care. “Since its founding, Nidek has been continuously developing products to bring vision comfort to people around the world. We are confident that we will achieve great success with this collaboration,” said Motoki Ozawa, President and Ceo of Nidek.

March 2023

New Monogram By Nirvan Javan

Nirvan Javan launches a new monogram (embroidery combining fonts and motifs) incorporated as a pattern on the temple inserts of the new Marrakech collection. The designer adds the new monogram as a pattern on the temples of the frames in the new collection. Inspired by the great metropolises of the world, Nirvan Javan, who presents eyewear collections with a relentless evolution and passionate creativity, presents his new monogram, the latest product of his endless design journey. N.J., the initials of the brand, are featured in the new monogram. These two letters, which melt into each other and become a single whole, represent more than the brand’s pure design philosophy. This new pattern with classic elements sums up the embodiment of the modern world. Symbolizing Nirvan Javan’s new brand identity, the monogram adds new details and historical texture to the frames in the Marrakech collection.

March 2023

Italy Meets UK in Style

Italian eyewear brand Siens and British fashion designer Neil Barrett have collaborated on a joint eyewear collection for men, named as Metropolis. Produced in Italy by Faoflex, the collection combines Neil Barrett’s minimalist design approach and high-tech elements with Siens’ sculptural design line, creating a perfect blend of the Dna of both brands. The Metropolis collection is available in four shades: black, ivory white, smoky white and honey ice, in harmony with the tones of the garments presented by the British designer at the Autumn/Winter 2023 show. All the frames in the collaboration collection have been meticulously crafted at Studio Russo in Milan, run by the Siens team of four designer brothers who specialize in designing accessories for leading fashion houses. Siens frames are attracting worldwide attention as unique and bold works of art, blending advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship to deliver a visionary look.

March 2023

Mykita Tends To Aviator Form

Mykita has incorporated aviator and navigator styles into its design language for quite some time. Recently, the company has expanded its selection by introducing several new models across its collections. These options include simplistic and minimalist models made from lightweight stainless steel for the No1 and Lite lines, as well as retro-inspired models with dark, warm acetate shades for Mykita Acetate. Additionally, the company now offers mixed material models that combine stainless steel with acetate and Mylon, resulting in refined color combinations. The aviator and its rectangular counterpart, the navigator, originated from military wear in the 1930s and have since become iconic fashion accessories donned by pop culture legends of the twentieth century. Despite its evolution into a fashion statement, the aviator’s primary function was to enhance a pilot’s vision at high altitudes, achieved by its unique teardrop-shaped lenses which provided maximum coverage. This signature design element also follows the contours of the face to create a flattering effect. The Mykita aviator and navigator silhouettes make a real statement as optical frames. The strong unisex styles are individually adaptable and come in an extensive color palette and handcrafted quality.

March 2023

Eco-Friendly Series Came From Nautica

Nautica Eyewear announces the launch of their new Tenite Renew collection, featuring styles made from a sustainable material by Eastman which uses more than 56% of sustainable materials made from bio-based and certified recycled content. The certified recycled content is allocated using ISCC mass balance. The collection launching offers two sunglasses and three ophthalmic glasses styles, designed with lightweight constructions, classic shapes and pops of colour, the company states. Tenite Renew is produced via an advanced innovative recycling technology using hard to recycle waste plastic in place of fossil feedstock, reducing carbon emissions and leaving fossil-based resources behind while ensuring the same high performance as conventional materials. “We are thrilled to continue our commitment to taking steps toward social responsibility and making a positive impact on the environment with Tenite Renew,” said Thomas Burkhardt, President of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “The Nautica styles offer customers more sustainable styles when shopping for lifestyle eyewear.”

March 2023

Khaite x Oliver Peoples Collaboration

Fashion brand Khaite and Oliver Peoples have collaborated on a new eyewear collection. The new collection debuted at Khaite’s Fall/Winter 2023 show during New York Fashion Week. Complementing Creative Director Catherine Holstein’s ready-to-wear designs on the runway, the collection consists of three frame styles: 1969C, 1971C and 1983C. Each pair of sunglasses in the collection is inspired by vintage styles, combining Khaite’s sophisticated aesthetic and Oliver Peoples’ cult design language. “Khaite presents a new woman every season and Oliver Peoples sunglasses have been helping us bring this woman to life on the runway for several years now. We put our own perspective on this collection. Each pair is uniquely created from the differences in form, fit and color that make up Khaite. This is made possible thanks to Oliver Peoples’ exceptional materials and production,” said Catherine Holstein. “Oliver Peoples has always been known for its timeless aesthetic that champions craftsmanship above logos and trends. Both brands have found common ground in honoring style that will always be relevant,” added Rocco Basilico, Ceo of Oliver Peoples.

March 2023

Kaleos Joins Lanctôt Group

Spanish brand Kaleos announces its new distribution agreement with Lanctôt Optical Group. Since its inception in 2013, Kaleos has been offering eyewear collections with unique aesthetic poses, where a combination of visual elements is carefully considered to offer products that delight design lovers. Lanctôt Optical Group is a Canadian family-owned company that has been in business for over seventy years. With unparalleled service and invaluable expertise for high quality products, it has become the reference for quality European eyewear in the Canadian market. With this partnership, Kaleos will benefit from Lanctôt Optical’s extensive distribution network across Canada, while Lanctôt Optical will be able to expand its existing portfolio and increase its market share.

March 2023

Ørgreen Offers Functional Aesthetics

Ørgreen, a leading eyewear brand based in Copenhagen, is at the forefront of combining 3D printing and titanium to create innovative and stylish designs. The brand’s new screwless Quantum High collection features 3D printed faceplates and titanium temples for the perfect balance of lightness and durability. The color combination on the faceplate, temples and tips also gives the new collection an aesthetic touch in the Ørgreen style. Ørgreen’s latest invention in the new collection is the integration of a 3D ring on the edge of the spectacle frame, which offers a striking look with eye-catching color accents on the front and a dynamic stance when the frame is rotated. Ørgreen has also enhanced the design with a side shield, adding extra dimension to the models in the collection, while showcasing its skills in 3D printing in eyewear design. Ørgreen calls this integration “functional aesthetics”, meaning it combines both attractive design and practical benefits. This means opticians can offer their customers larger lenses in smaller, thinner frames, while wearers can achieve a sleek and stylish look without thick lenses.

March 2023

Gigi Studios

Gıgı Studıos

Tradition Reinvented

Gigi Studios, which proves its talent to the eyewear world with its vibrant, young and fashionable designs, blends tradition with an innovative approach.

The history of Gigi Studios is a family story; therefore, it can look back on a long tradition. Patricia Ramo’s grandfather founded one of the first eyewear factories in 1962 in Poble Sec, a neighborhood in the heart of Barcelona. Her father, Luis Ramo, worked in the family business for 35 years. Like her father, Patricia Ramo has continued the legacy to this day.

Patricia Ramo brought together all the know-how of her ancestors and spearheaded a comprehensive business transformation. In the process, Luis Ramos stood by her side and supported her ideas. Over the years, with its authentic and consistent image, Gigi Studios has firmly asserted its place in the eyewear cosmos. Gigi Studios’ eyewear frames are made of noble materials such as natural acetate from Italian and Japanese production. The cotton content ensures comfort, suppleness and durability. In addition, acetate offers countless possibilities for colors, constructions and shapes. They are exclusive and created by the brand itself. Gigi Studios focuses on tradition instead of mass production. The original design of the designers of Gigi Studios is the constant reference that guides the craftsmen who make the final product. The team supervises all stages of production. Each of Gigi Studios’ frames requires over 100 manufacturing steps. Working with the best professionals in each specific field ensures that the frames fulfill their main purpose: Comfort, functionality and durability. The family-owned company now serves opticians and independent retailers in over 45 countries.

Gigi Studios embodies a lively, young and fashionable flair like hardly any other eyewear brand. While pushing the boundaries with forward-looking sunglass designs and stylish optical frame shapes, the brand relies on a solid foundation: In charge of leading the family-owned business, Ceo Patricia Ramo is already the third generation immersed in the optical business. We present you an interview with Patricia Roma, Ceo of Gigi Studios, which combines eyewear design and fashion, about collections of the brand and features of its eyewear.

Hi Patricia, Gigi Studios is one of the up-and-coming young fashion brands in the eyewear universe. We would like to hear about how you got started in the sector.
It started when my grandfather created an eyewear factory in Barcelona, back in the 1960s. Then my father, Luis Ramo, carried on his legacy. I inherited my passion for a well-made product from him. I started working in my father’s company when I was 21 and I quickly became hooked on this world.

How did the family values carry over into your brand?
From the very beginning, the aim has been to create a global brand with a constant commitment to improvement. Over the years, professionals from the optical sector wanted to join Gigi Studios. So today, our team includes over 100 people who work up to the highest standards in a creative, young, and international setting.

What distinguishes Gigi Studios from other brands?
I felt that the industry needed a fresh designer brand with high attention to detail and, most of all, one based in fashion. For this purpose, I brought Gigi Studios to this day. I believe that at this point, we are meeting this need more than enough.

What was the reason for changing your brand name to Gigi Studio?
“Gigi” is the name I was called by part of my family when I was a child. And “Studios” comes from a rebranding we did in 2019. We loved the idea of evolving the name of the brand to “Gigi Studios” because we felt that it endowed the brand with an artistic and art studio character. At the same, it provided a more international approach.

You mentioned the studio character. How would you describe the philosophy behind your brand?
Eclectic, avant-garde, traditional, and innovative. We are an independent company with head offices in Barcelona that merges design and creativity with craftsmanship. A free, pluralistic view of fashion that promotes people’s unique identity.

Describing yourself as traditional and innovative at the same time seems like a contradiction. At the end of the day, which aspect is stronger?
Both! I’m the third generation of a family that has always been surrounded by eyewear. This heritage is so important to me. Craftsmanship is our essence and I think it’s also where our modernity lies. I think craft will always be relevant.

You already mentioned your Barcelona heritage. The city seems to be a true melting pot for eyewear. Why do so many eyewear fashion brands originate here?
Barcelona has been a reference in terms of design for many decades now. Today, it’s home to plenty of fashion brands and artists. And the same is happening in the eyewear field.

To what extent does this creative environment influence your eyewear designs?
This environment is a constant inspiration for me and it’s great to have independent brands around us. But the underlying inspiration comes from all around the world and from many different disciplines – including fashion and street trends, artistic movements, also from past decades.

What characterizes the design of Gigi Studios frames?
I would say what characterizes our design the most is our unique metal collection. We were one of the first brands that made a bet on metal at a moment when everyone was focused on acetate. So, we offered the market a trendy and special collection, both in stainless steel and beta-titanium. Nowadays we maintain a very good metal collection but the designs we execute in acetate have a very distinctive approach. That’s due to the way we work with angles and volumes in special constructions.

What would you like to say about your sunglasses collection?
I believe we have one of the most interesting sunglasses collections in the market at the moment. We have a fresh, trendy collection that is desirable for a wide range of consumers.

And the optical collection?
We are slightly more exaggerated in the intention of the sunglass designs compared to our optical styles. But we always maintain a coherence and transversality of the underlying concepts. Plus, we’re always looking to express our unique vision of fashion.

You currently have five collections Vanguard, Icons, Men, XS and Lab. Can you tell us about the characteristics of these collections?
Vanguard is our most emblematic collection. We describe it as the top expression of fashion, modernity, and sophistication. It includes optical and sun designs for women. Men is our collection that offers contemporary designs for men. Optical and sun models in bigger sizes. The Icons collection is characterized by timeless shapes and iconic designs. It’s a genderless collection, also with optical and sun designs. Our Lab collection is inspired by technology and fashion. It comes from experimentation with new materials and technological advances. The subtlety of the designs and the extreme lightness define the collection. Some designs can be called genderless, others more feminine. Finally, the* collection XS* takes up our Dna and applies it to designs for slim faces.

You also like to launch capsule collections and special concepts. What’s currently in the pipeline?
The latest ones were our capsule collection in May and a special Vanguard Collection with a new design concept in June. Besides that, we are working in partnership with brands which I personally like and respect, in order to develop new models together. Stay tuned, many surprises coming in this area.

Source: Favrspecs

March 2023

Materika Expands Piuma

Materika expands the Piuma collection with two new styles with dynamic and modern looks. The new additions to the collection seem to have been shaped by a gust of wind caressing the surface, while the sharp edges of the bridge and end pieces, which are fluid like a liquid, melt into the hinges. Styles made of magnesium promise comfort and convenience to their users as a result of minimizing the weight. With these two new frames to be launched in Opti 2023, the collection expands to a total of four pieces, two in six color options for men and two in five different shades for women. Contrasting matte and polished details lead to special sparkling colors that emphasize the dynamic look of the series, while shiny nuances and reflective metal details highlight the inside of the temples. In addition, there is a simple tone that faithfully imitates the appearance of magnesium in its most basic form among the color variants. That means feather-light glasses with a well-defined personality.

January 2023