White Optics
White Optics showcased the Dario Martini model DN732, (below) a hexagonal shaped frame handmade in Italy with Swarovski crystals on the temples. A titanium Marc Cain frame (83068) with adjustable nose pads also on display has been given a ‘high tech transfer process with distinctive temple treatments’, which creates a range of patterns.
Tim Peterson, sales director, said: ‘Round metal frames are definitely on trend at the moment. Our Infusion brand with brightly coloured frames made from four layers of acetate is very popular right now and collections from our Planet brand are selling well.’
Einar
The Einar stand was entirely dedicated to its latest acquired brand, Kreuzberg Kinder.
New releases included Kye (above), a large sporty frame in the style of a ski mask made from chunky black acetate and Leon (below), a twist on classic round sunglasses with a rounded bridge and temple hinges in a muted grey colour with dark blue lenses.
Director Gili Shani said: ‘We’re not following trends, we just do twists on iconic styles. We try to be trend setting rather than trend following.’ Shani told Optician that the cat eye Yana frame was its best seller due to the appeal of the shape to the UK market.
Olympus Eyewear
Olympus Eyewear displayed Safarro’s Capsule collection, which is all partly made from Italian Monel metal.
Frames that stood out included the rose gold H155GO8 (above), which has pink lenses surrounded by a double rim and the H156G11 (below), a rectangular acetate frame in purple, pink, turquoise and honey colours.
Sue Fisher, purchasing manager for Olympus Eyewear, has seen wider trends of metal frames, cat eyes and 50s inspired shapes becoming more popular. ‘Our Ultra Limited collections is selling well,’ she said. ‘Each frame is made from different layers of coloured acetate to be totally unique. We also personalise the temples with names or symbols.’
Go Eyewear
One of the two key releases by Go Eyewear was the Bulget model BG1605UT (below), which is a titanium aviator that caters to both the mature and younger man.
The other is the Ana Hickmann model AH6350 (below), a frame with an acetate front that comes in a variety of colours that stands out due to its unique rotating metal temples. Indeed, Ana Hickmann is the only company to sell a frame with temples that rotate.
On the subject of eyewear trends, Jan Scott, country manager of Go Eyewear, said: ‘Different colours of acetate seem to be quite popular as people try to stand out.’
Pala Eyewear
Eco-friendly and sustainable are words that describe Pala Eyewear’s new frame offerings.
The Makena sunglass model (above) is made from bio acetate, comes in either black or brown and has white temple tips. The Ime frame (below) comes in black, is made from recycled acetate and has metal temples. Pala’s best selling frame is the Thoko model, which is a small round cat eye.
Founder John Pritchard explained to Optician that Pala does not tend to follow major trends. ‘However, I have seen khaki and honey coloured tortoiseshell colours become more popular recently, as well as cat eye shapes,’ he said.
Dunelm optical
Two recent key releases for Dunelm have been the Joseph collection, which features heavy acetate frames with one model’s rims split into halves of metal and acetate and the Freya collection, which was launched last year to include colours that appeal to everyone.
The Joseph collection
Both come in a wide range of frame shapes and are selling well, particularly the Freya collection.
The Freya collection
As for current trends, Beth Godfrey, purchasing manager at Dunelm, said: ‘Acetate and classic 60s styling are still very much in.’
Optical Service
New at Optrafair for Optical Service was the Joia model 2565 (below), made from Mazzucchelli acetate and Swarovski crystal rock on the temples.
Director David Eldridge has seen acetate and metal frames with double bars become more fashionable recently. He said: ‘Lightweight and classic style frames are sought after. Our best sellers are the Ferucci collections frames, which are made of metal and crystal acetate and come in pastel colours.’
Orange Eyewear
One interesting collection on the Orange Eyewear stand was Zen (below).
Designers were inspired by artist Gaudi’s architecture and frames are made from Mazzucchelli acetate, with stainless steel temples engraved with architectural patterns. Model Z510 comes in crystal, bronze and black.
The Opera collection (below) also stood out as being versatile, with rounded frames that are classic and fashionable.
Julie Craig, area sales manager, said: ‘We don’t follow any trends in particular as we like to cater to all and work for the longevity of a practice. Our extra-large and petite frames sell well as practices don’t often find them.’
Menrad
Menrad showcased on its stand its flagship brand Jaguar (below), with model 32702 featuring a keyhole bridge and a wood effect created by tricolour acetate layers.
It also had an updated take on the aviator shape in the form of the Ultum range model 33827 (below), which is made of stainless steel.
Area manager Darren Jones said that Jaguar frames tend to sell well as they are classic shapes that appeal to everyone. As for following trends? ‘We don’t really react to trends; the company designs and produces its frames in Germany and prefers to set them.’
Eyespace
Optician dropped by to see the new Aspinal of London collection at Eyespace, where the Portofino sunglass frame (below) for women stood out.
A metal aviator, the model has the brand’s shield logo on the temples and tips and a crenellation design on the rims. Also to catch the eye was the Range Rover RRS101 frame (below), a round eye aviator made of Japanese titanium.
The Amalfi sunglass model by Aspinal is a best seller, according to marketing manager Nicky Clement. ‘It suits many face shapes as it’s an upswept oversized frame. The Cocoa Mint model CM9089 is also very popular due to its use of colour on the brow lines.’
David Green Eyewear
One frame that shone on the David Green Eyewear stand almost as much as the managing director’s bright green trousers was the Batura BQ1 (below).
Inspired by oceans, real leaves have been embedded within the frame that also features a keyhole bridge. The round Pechora frame (below), however, has real mother of pearl detailing on the front, with metal temples and rims split into halves of metal and cotton based acetate.
‘We’re inspired by nature, we’re not really led by fashion,’ Green said. ‘Frames should bring out the best in people, not the other way around.’
Bird
By the second day of Optrafair, founder Ed Bird was proudly displaying the company’s Optician Award for Frame of the Year, which it won for its Blackcap sunglass frame (below). The front is made from layers of wood and aluminium and is inspired by the colours of a blackcap bird.
In May, Bird will be launching a limited edition collection called Satellite, made from aerospace grade aluminium 5052, chromium alloy and magnesium with polarised lenses and sprung hinges to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. The recyclable and sustainable materials trend is one that the brand very much follows.
Zuma Morel
On the Zuma Morel stand was the Koali frame 20048K (below), which has two different silhouettes to it, almost like a frame within a frame. It has a rim made of nylon and metal, a keyhole bridge, metal temples and a Mazzucchelli acetate front.
Managing director Harvey Dhadwar also highlighted the 3D printed Morel Lightec 30092L model (below), which is exceptionally lightweight and features a patented screwless hinge.
Dhadwar said: ‘We’re seeing more of a move away from acetate to metals. Double bridges are popular now as well as retro, round and unusual shapes.’
Design Eyewear group
Design Eyewear told Optician that one of its key releases is the model 5169 (below) in the Prodesign Iris collection. The cat eye frame has a space between the rim and the lens, which gives it a striking appearance and comes in colourways of purple and blue among others.
Another release is the Axiom (below), made from surgical steel that is 0.5mm in width. It has a screwless hinge and flexible colourful temples.
Sales agent Richard John said: ‘We like to set our own styles and not follow trends as we try to work for all face shapes. I have seen that styles are getting deeper and rounder though.’