Mido and Milan

We at Valli Group paid a recent visit to MIDO, the epitome of everything that is optics and optometry. All of the biggest names in the industry meet up in Milan to introduce the world to their products and innovations, giving everyone a snapshot of the future.

We have been paying special attention to trends and fashion and this year it is all about colour. Visiting the stands of the world’s most prestigious eyewear, we have been looking to select only the very best new ranges for the group, which following a recent acquisition now includes the AH Mertons Group in the North West.

As a guest of the Italian trade agency, which is part of the Italian Embassy, Valli Group were able to soak up originality, flair and elegance of the established brands while enjoying the promising young talents of the newer kids on the block.

Mykita

Catching our attention were the designs of Red Dot design award winner Mykita eyewear. Mykita was the first company to produce an entire eyewear collection using a 3D printing system. Thanks to this Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) manufacturing process each model of the collection is completely customisable resulting in a perfect fit for the individual’s head. The frames are lightweight and incredibly durable. They are made from patented polyamide-based material called Mylon, which can be individually adjusted to give the wearer a perfect fit.

Face à Face

Far removed from conformist trends and the standard fashion diktats, the Face à Face collection screams modernism, drawing inspiration from sources of modern art, architecture and contemporary design.

Face à Face frames are developed under the direction of President and Art Director Pascal Jaulent. Pascal studied at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (Paris Management School) initially joining financial departments of large companies (Nestlé, Dior), moving onto Lunettes Lafont Paris as General Manager and it was here he saw a  connection between the work of an architect and humans and the technical and fashion components of creative eyewear. The Face à Face ethos is that every frame should be a subtle little piece of architecture, surpassing its function and entering into the sculptural dimension of the object.

Finlay and Co

A taste home soon drew our eye. Finlay and Co are an English brand committed to producing eyewear unlike any other. With an uncompromising approach to frame quality, all of their frames are handmade using only the finest materials, be it from sustainable hardwoods or the finest Italian acetates. Finlay and Co frames are luxurious, strong and hardwearing. Using only polarised lenses for the sunglasses across their entire collection, they provide full UVA and UVB protection. From classic grey lenses to vibrant gold mirror, Finlay and Co have created an eclectic selection to choose from.

For the Whisky lover out there Finlay and Co even produce a limited edition range of Glenmorangie sunglasses, designed and handcrafted to showcase the natural character and unique grain of the original whisky casks from which these sunglasses are made. The staves of these casks are deconstructed and re-cut then they are stripped down to fine layers and are cross-bonded against the grain to create a collection of sunglasses which are both strong and lightweight.

Every pair of Glenmorangie sunglasses goes through a rigorous 16-step process with each cask producing 60 pairs of sunglasses. Finlay and Co have produced just 1,843 pairs of sunglasses, celebrating the year in which the Glenmorangie distillery in Tain, Ross-shire was founded, each piece is individually numbered.

MAD IN ITALY

Finally we have MAD IN ITALY, an Italian company from Alano di Piave in the Belluno province. Designed and produced in Italy these frames are the creation of the company’s creative director and designer Claudio Dallo Longa, who with over 30 years experience in the eyewear industry has clocked up some notable achievements and is a winner of the coveted Silmo d’Oro award. MAD IN ITALY oozes extravagance, is big on  technology and has a pioneering spirit which focuses on user friendliness. All these elements form part of a pioneering eyewear collection for those who want something truly different.

It was a weekend packed with beautiful eyewear and some of it is coming to a store near you very soon.