ALAIN MIKLI

www.mikli.com

Alain Mikli: another way of looking at optics

Finding the eyeglasses of the 1970's neither amusing nor sincere, neither elegant nor casual, Alain Mikli launched his own brand in 1978. A devotee of freedom and non-conformity, he sculpted matter in space and invented a new philosophy for optics: to each his own pair of glasses, in colors to match his personality. This subtle and detailed complicity with the wearer makes each Alain Mikli model a unique creation. Today, his collections are marketed in over 30 countries all over the world.

Philippe Starck: towards the non-object

Refusing to take the easy way out-design for design's sake Philippe Stark has always applied his originality to imbuing everyday objects with new meaning. Convinced that things have a soul of their own, he has focused on redefining the relationship between man and matter. As the object surrenders its material substance, Philippe Starck restores its original purpose: human fulfillment. Deliberately low profile in terms of design achieved through impact stamping manufacturing process (a manufacturing process with more than 30 steps to produce a slim and rigid brow bar, which remains dimensionally stable like a steel blade), Starck Eyes eyewear blends in the wearer's facial features to reveal his or her personality. This spectacular collection uses materials of Nibrodal alloy, Nickel silver, stainless steel, aluminum and acetate along with its patented world reknown Biolink hinge.

ANNE ET VALENTIN

www.anneetvalentin.com

In the wide world of spectacles, the models created by Anne et Valentin distinguish themselves from others at first glance. Far from the norms fixed by the optical universe, Anne et Valentin have conceived playful, brightly hued models, whimsical yet crafted with all the care imaginable. At the helm in the creation studio, Valery Lorenzo and Yannick Burdin design together frames which reflect both their characters. Anne et Valentin have created their own colors from a chromatic and strictly Mediterranean palette, bringing something new to each design. Classified for the past ten years in the "outstanding creators" category the company's product has managed to forge on beyond the beaten paths of Toulouse, France and has won the hearts of such well known personalities as the Spanish actress Victoria Abril and the Japanese couturier Yohji Yamamoto.

BUGATTI

www.bugatti-eyewear.com

www.bugatti-cars.de

Art For Your Face is proud to be one of the few retailers selected for North America to distribute this stunning line of eyewear. The bugatti collection are jewels in there own right. Hand made in France, they reflect the engineering and beauty of Ettore Bugatti's most revered automotive creation, the T35, which dominated formula one racing from 1924 to 1931. While the Collector series draws form the classic coachwork and dash of the racing T35, the Today series is inspired by the state of the art Bugatti EB 16/4 Veyron. Both collections make use of high quality acetate, billet aluminum, palladium, ruthenium and 22 carat gold and incorporate the e-identity microchip, which can be used to store your Bugatti eyewear information in the temple of the frames.

 

ETNIA BARCELONA

www.etniabarcelona.com

As the name says, this exciting collection hails from Barcelona, Spain. The designer, David Pellicer, broke into the international arena in 2004 with his use of colors and materials. He incorporates revolutionary color treatments where a classic color is used to complement a more vibrant color creating an exclusive color treatment. This permits Etnia Barcelona to offer a range of modern, lively, elegant and bold combinations. Inspired by travel, culture and the arts, each model defines a fresh and modern spirit. The names chosen for each of his creations, come from the travel experiences, capturing the essence of the city, which it is named after.

LINDBERG

www.lindberg.com

In the early 1980's, Danish optometrist Poul-Jorn Lindberg teamed up with the architect Hans Dissing to design a different frame that turned out to become the basis of a completely new eyewear concept. The result was the AIR Titanium frame, which over the years has been supplemented with three further LINDBERG concepts: the full-rim RIM frame, the distinctive STRIP frame and the sports sunglasses SIRIUS Titanium. This eyewear collection has set the benchmark by which all other titanium frames are judged. Unlike other manufactures that use inferior titanium alloys from Japan and China, LINDBERG uses the world's best Titanium from the Chattanooga, Tennessee, and LINDBERG frames manufactured in Denmark are lightweight, flexible and strong. Each frame is serial numbered and comes with a factory 3 year warranty which is great for the rough child or adult. Lindberg's patented and innovative eyewear building system makes it possible for the wearer to mix and match shape, color and size resulting in a unique and personal spectacle frame.

LUNOR

www.lunor.com

Stuttgart, Germany is the seat of German fine craftsmanship with such well know engineering names as Porsche and Daimler Benz, so it is no wonder that Lunor eyewear is manufactured in this city of artisans. Designer Gernot Lindner has used as a source of inspiration the Historische Augenoptik collection of optical antiques from the years 1650 to 1950. This collection includes glasses and cases, pince-nez, binoculars and microscopes. Simply perfect, the language of the shapes of historic eyeglasses is clear and well balanced. American eyeglasses from about 1840 have also inspired Gernot Lindner to develop Lunor's characteristic telescope like temples. Handmade cases made of local woods recall the precious cases from the past. America's leading lifestyle magazine, "The Robb Report" has named Lunor the winner of the category "Best Eyewear", given it the highest scores regarding design, quality and service.

 

NUSSBAUMER

www.nussbaumer-collection.de or www.felix-brillen.de

This is a unique and colorful eyewear line made in Pforzheim, Germany, for children only. The Nussbaumer collection has five different lines all named after classic childrens' fairytale books like "Felix", "Der Kleine Koenig", "Mondbaer", "Ferdinand der Elefant" and "Prinzessin Lillifee". Each frame has flexible hinges and durable materials which greatly reduce frame breakage along with beautiful characters in a brilliant design of colors and shapes. For the child between 5 and 15 years of age, who still have a small face but desire a cool look, the Felix Style collection offers more mature shaped and colored frames for these age sensitive years. 


OAKLEY

www.oakley.com

For a quarter of a century, Oakley has been obsessed with the design and manufacture of inventions that defy convention. Driven by contempt for the commonplace, the company has dedicated itself to creating products that dismiss the standard and stretch the human imagination.

Oakley is devoted to authenticity, to making the best products on the planet by letting invention lead the way. Fueled by the synergy of uniting design and production under a single roof, its visionaries are compelled to identify problems, create solutions, and wrap those solutions in art. Their pursuit of perfection is inspired every time an athlete chooses to wear Oakley equipment in competition, not because they're paid to do so, but because it pays to do so.

The company's relentless dedication to purpose has guided the evolution and revolution of products beyond eyewear. While others are satisfied to reinvent generic mediocrity, Oakley toys with genetic engineering to create new life in a primordial soup of passion and innovation. A diversified range of performance-oriented products has established the company as a global icon, a true world brand.


OLIVER PEOPLES

www.oliverpeoples.com

Originating in the city of angels on Sunset Boulevard in 1987, Oliver Peoples has become one of the eyewear industries most influential design centers, setting fashion trends world wide. Larry Leight's designs and unique philosophy have changed the course of eyewear and influenced designers throughout the world. Leight's premiere collection of retro-inspired spectacles gained him international exposure in the late 1980's and transformed the perception of glasses in the 20th century. Since then , Leight's designs can be found on the most recognizable faces around the world and have helped to position Oliver Peoples at the forefront of innovative luxury eyewear market.

 

PAUL SMITH

Launched in 1994, Oliver Peoples partnered with noted British Fashion Designer, Sir Paul Smith to create a retro pop look of the 1960's Mods (Remember the The Who and Sting in the movie Quadrophenia ) and later the hip 1970's. Paul Smith Spectacles sunglass collection combines the whimsical, yet classic designs and attention to detail synonymous with Sir Paul Smith. Color is the central theme of the collection, whether an interesting metal, or beautiful laminate plastics that gradate to expose a range of colors, these are classic frames with an unexpected twist.

Prada

(Prada eyewear website under construction)

The prime characteristics of this leading eyewear manufacturer in Italy, founded by Mario Prada in 1913 and subsequently developed at an international level by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, are based on absolute quality as a starting point, constant innovation respecting tradition, research and selection of materials employed, together with impeccable manufacturing processes. Prada has always been distinctive not only for its high quality , but also for its forward-thinking approach and style. Sophisticated, elegant and refined, Prada products are identified by their very strong character and unique style and unmistakable red stripe.

ROBI HORN

www.robiltd.com

www.natural-eyewear.com

Individually handmade in Germany, Robi Horn offers truly exclusive, authentic horn rimmed glasses. The production of natural horn frames uses predominantly the horn of the water buffalo, a domesticated animal, comparable to our cattle. This animal does not fall into the category of an endangered species nor is it threatened. Clients who have skin allergies to Nickel and other metals will note Robi Horn frames are naturally hypoallergenic and light in weight. The warm beautiful colors that come forth with the manufacturing process are suitable for casual wear to power dress business. Custom orders and shapes are available. Please inquire.

THEO

http://www.theo.be/

Handmade in Antwerp, Belgium since 1989, Wim Somers and Patrick Hoet design eyewear from the subtle understated artsy look to the completely outrageous and avant-garde. Theo's 2006 collection continues to draw from the original themes of animated fun with such models as the Inuit, Tundra an Eskimo and is sure to spark your interest. Clip on sunglass lenses are available for select models. Theo's good looks have attracted such clients as Bill Gates, Jef Geeraerts and Elton John. The new Eye-witness collection has allowed Patrick Hoet to put his own soul into the art pieces he makes. Eye-witness is not an ordinary brand. It exists for example in different shapes for the left and right glasses for any given Eye-witness model. 

 "Theo loves you"