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As the seasons switch and trends change, what happens to our glasses? Trends in eyewear are always an interesting concept as there is not always a fluctuation in styles at the same speed we see in fashion, plus we will always encourage longevity for environmental reasons. This is why quality in eyewear is of the utmost importance. Less replacing out of necessity and more having a capsule eyewear wardrobe. One that can be added to when you fall in love, but frames that stand the test of time. Just like changing your wardrobe over from summer outfits to winter ones, we love the opportunity to take stock at this time of year and reevaluate styles and refresh our eyewear wardrobe too.
As we get into the chillier months of year, I always look forward to opening of optical trade show, Silmo Paris. Silmo is well known among optical professionals as the place to find upcoming brands, see what’s most popular, interesting, and new in the eyewear world. The trade show features hundreds of stands with brands showcasing their latest frames, plus other events and awards. The show being hosted in Paris is entirely fitting, the capital of style!
Usually there is one colour that dominates the stands, and this year it was definitely a shade of red. Naturally as we cross into Autumn there was a lot of rich burgundy, wine-coloured frames. A red that is almost neutral as it is that oxblood colour that goes with everything. One of my first stops at the show was of course, our favourite French brand, Anne et Valentin. They just released a range of their popular shapes, familiar faces like Daylewis and Bergen that we have had in practice before, in deep burgundy. Expect to see this, along with new shape Doyle in the practice very soon. I also loved this transparent brown-red shade that is launching soon (pictured) – perfectly Autumnal! Californian brand Salt Optics do colour exceptionally well in their frames and they have a gorgeous colour called Redwood in their collection too.
In contrast to that, even within Anne et Valentin themselves, I noticed a resurgence of pastel colours too. More transparent, in blues, lilacs, pinks, this palette represents calm and softness. More and more we see our glasses as our most important accessory to show our mood, our personality. These colours express a calmness we all need!
As expected, there was an influx of what I would call ‘futuristic styles’. With technological advances and the rise of AI there is no surprise this has also reached eyewear. The SILMO d'Or awards now have a category for ‘smart eyewear’ alongside ‘technological innovation in eyewear’ where we saw QED Eyewear win for their model ‘Phi’ – a rimless frame with a patented system that has no consumable parts, so it is reusable and sustainable. I am really excited to see how this sort of thing develops and pushes the eyewear industry towards more sustainable choices. At the Frame Room we are big fans of Rolf. Eyewear, an Austrian brand that make frames from caster beans and 3D printing among other methods, who have won their fair share of SILMO d’Or awards over the years. Their stand at the show was perfectly minimal, in keeping with their ethos. Much of the decoration came from the core ‘ingredients’ that make up their frames – showing the process of the caster beans to oil, to powder, to frame. There is not much you can’t love about Rolf, from brothers who started the company who you can tell they have a sense of humour alongside their sense of responsibility to the planet, the frames that have a sort of subtle presence – impact without being flashy. It really is a joy to be their Edinburgh stockist here at the Frame Room.
It is not a visit to Silmo without a visit to the Theo stand. A brand to be reckoned with and constantly surprise with their latest styles and colour combinations. They showcased another trend that carried over a few brands – metallic colours. Silver, gold, rose gold, precious and otherwise stood out this year and they feel perfect for an Autumn/Winter pair of glasses. Either a full frame or accents, a metallic presence adds a certain elegance yet edge to styles.
Finally, a trend that really never goes out of style. The nostalgia of Hollywood glamour, whether that is a glamorous cat eye or a chunky square, these retro inspired frames are classy and classic. Think blacks, tortoiseshells, browns, greys. I am yet to find a brand that does this better than Cutler & Gross. They are excellent at an aviator shape and an array of distinctive rounds and square shapes too. Their signature style is chunky; these frames have an undeniable presence. They tend to regularly release a few styles in their Graham Cutler collection too, which are a little finer if you don’t fancy going for the full bold look. It is incredible how they can take a black square frame and make it the most special frame you have ever seen.
This year at the Frame Room we also welcomed Spanish brand, Nina Mur. They cater to both those wanting something more out there, and those wanting a pop of colour but a more classic shape. We love that they can be made bespoke, so full freedom with colour choice and a choice of sizes. The tricky part is just deciding! Like Rolf, Nina Mur pride themselves on their sustainability. All frames are made to order from FSC-certified Finnish birch wood, so no extra back stock, and the material is both lightweight and strong.
The wood is laminated on the front so the colour does not fade, meaning they can achieve bright, bold colours on the front of the frame and still have the natural appeal of the layered wood visible on the back of the frame.
As you review your Autumn Winter style, how you want to feel and what you want to channel over the coming months, don’t forget your eyewear. Often the first thing people notice, the gateway between you and the world. We are so excited to receive our latest orders, this year we have truly seen some of the best eyewear. If you would like to choose your next pair of fabulous frames then please get in touch and we will be delighted to book you in with one of our wonderful dispensing team. We know your dream pair of glasses can help a lot more than your vision!
Like what you see? Email vision@cameronoptom.com if you want to book in for a styling appointment or to check if we have a frame in stock.