Specs Appeal: The New Book Eyewear

Fellow eyewear designer Moss Lipow discovers the history of eyewear from their humble, practical minded beginnings to their meteoric rise as an impression making fashion accessory in his new book Eyewear.

As a designer, collector & enthusiast Lipow combines his first-hand knowledge and curated collection of eyewear with an insightful look at the evolution of eyewear for this just released tome that should serve as an end-all reference for all things optical.

Featuring 1,000 optical images with frames that span 500 years, Lipow has culled information from a variety of sources including ancient texts, old catalogues, vintage magazines, and out-of-print publications of every kind.

Eyewear by Moss Lipow is available now at Taschen.com

Arts Watch: Lisette Model ‘Reflections’

On a recent trawl through Chelsea, New York’s art gallery packed westside neighborhood, came the discovery of Bruce Silverstein Gallery’s “Reflections: The Expressionist Origins of Lisette Model,” an inspiring visual retrospective featuring an edited collection of the late artist’s work.

Model’s use of reflective layers to combine cityscapes and civilians candidly shuffling about through New York City during the 40′s offers a romantic, nostalgia inducing and even slightly haunting look at the city that also sheds light on the work of some of her most renowned students, Diane Arbus and Peter Hujar.

Paired with works on paper by artists including Max Beckmann and Lyonel Feininger, and accompanied by a recording of Schoenberg’s “Pierrot Lunaire,” the gallery’s back room is dedicated to postwar cabaret elements featuring Model herself breaking a note. And though that made for an enriched experience, it was the journalistic nature of Model’s work combined with her improvisational techniques that made it such a special encounter.

Now through Nov. 12 at Bruce Silverstein Gallery 535 West 24th Street, Chelsea

Works from Model above & below.

Slices of Inspiration: Early 90's Chanel Frames

For Selima, inspiration can come from the most surprising and curious of places, from vintage frames & pictures to the odds and ends of everyday life. Including this early 90's pic featuring truly outre Chanel accessories, best of which are the humorous take on the house's iconic double-c logo that make a graphic, witty statement on the possibilities of extravagant excesses.

And while celebrating the excess of fashion isn't really a part of Selima's repertoire(she's a bit more subtle & coy no?), there's no debating the over-the-top cool allure found in this find. See if you can make a guess as to what inspired Selima when designing her namesake frames by visiting our online shop today!

Selima Optique at OPTIX in Berlin - Anständige Brillen für Anständige Menschen!

The crew at Selima Optique is always delighted when we receive updates from our retailers and adore this image OPTIX of west Berlin sent of their Selima Optique feature window to us over the weekend. 

Located in Berlin's vibrant west neighborhood for 19 years, OPTIX is situated amidst Berlin's trendy scene of cafe's, markets & shops and works with the mantra "proper glasses for proper people" or "anständige brillen für anständige menschen."

Visit OPTIX when shopping for eyewear in Berlin:

Kleiststraße 43
10787 Berlin
Tel:  +49 (0)30 216 77 19
Fax:  +49 (0)30 217 04 12
info@optix-berlin.de