Designer's Notebook

Architectural Inspirations

By Amy Spiezio

As Coco Chanel said, “Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.” That sentiment isn't strictly limited to clothing design. Instead, optical designers gain inspiration for their work from the lines, angles, simplicity, and majesty of architectural works.

Following some of the industry's leading designers reflect on the influence of architecture on their work. For more, visit EyecareBusiness.com.

Above: Eyeglass style Rialto by l.a.Eyeworks. Below, architectural inspiration—Schindler House (designed by R.M. Schindler in 1922) located in West Hollywood, Calif. Credit: MAK Center/Photo by Gerald Zugman.

L.A. EYEWORKS

Eyeglasses are armatures, after all. Barbara McReynolds and I have always been inspired by the work of architects, and we're fortunate to live in Southern California, a dynamic architectural environment of colliding styles and experimentation.

Perhaps most interesting to us is looking at eyeglass design metaphorically through the lens of architecture—that is, the importance of the structure as a negotiation between the intimate, protective nature of private space, and the exposure of public life.

—Gai Gherardi, co-owner/designer, l.a.Eyeworks

Designer's Notebook Orgreen

Heading up our Cut/Airline Series in Titanium is CPH, the acronym of our hometown Copenhagen. The result of our collaboration with the exclusive furniture company Fritz Hansen, CPH features a laser cut of the skyline from Denmark's capital, echoed in a special edition of Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs. Launched as sunglasses during design week in London last year, our optical version features for the first time two colors on the outside of the frame—a solid colored front in black and temples in a solid matte silver color. Also included are luscious color combos like neon pink inside dark brown and powder blue inside white-hot frames. —Emma Migliorini Kristensen, PR & communications manager, Orgreen The skyline of Copenhagen inspires the sunglass and ophthalmic frame designs of Orgreen

MYKITA

In the world of design, a big issue is the execution of details. A detail of major interest is the design of connection points or joints in the broadest sense. The detail of the joint is what makes a pair of MYKITA glasses distinctively different to other eyewear, and it constitutes a unique selling point.

When it comes to architecture, Jean Prouvé and his incomparable ability to work flat sheet metal can be regarded as our inspiration or role model. I chose one of Jean Prouvé's masterpieces his “maison tropical” from 1951, a highly constructive object, as an example for a piece of architecture, which will never lose its timeless beauty.

—Philipp Haffmans, design director, Mykita

A limited edition creative partnership between Mykita and Agathe Snow features architectural wonders

OGI EYEWEAR

The influence of architecture can be seen in my eyewear on many different levels. The France from our Seraphin Collection was directly inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The way that the Eiffel Tower was constructed allows for light to play off the angles and negative space to reveal the inner workings of the structure.

I was able to create the same type of effect by laser cutting a lattice pattern onto the top layer of the acetate. The cut-out pattern reveals the inside color of the frame and also catches light in intriguing ways.

—David Spencer, founder/designer, Ogi

The sunglass style France by Ogi Eyewear echoes the Eiffel Tower in Paris