FRAMEBUYER | TRENDS

Natural SELECTIONS

Optical turns over a new leaf with eco-inspired and eco-friendly eyewear

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DOUGLAS

Today’s frames take inspiration in their design—and sometimes their construction—from nature. Whether a re-creation of organic patterns or an example of the latest developments in green technology, these styles meet the need to both satisfy consumer demand for all things organic and provide more conservation-focused production options.

Companies like Kering have already created Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) accounts to track their companies’ environmental impact and how their sustainable business practices have helped their bottom lines.

Other companies in fashion, and specifically in optical, are taking a variety of routes to get to eco awareness. Some are working with natural materials such as wood to give consumers a green touch in their daily wardrobes.

Other companies are producing materials in eco-friendly bioplastics made from sustainable materials, such as the castor bean and cotton.

And still other companies are drawing their aesthetic inspiration for fresh new designs from nature, mimicking animal and plant patterns.

Check out the latest styles here that reflect the beauty of the natural world.

EVERGREEN STYLE
Frames made from sustainable materials match fashion and conservation. Top to bottom: Tommy Bahama bamboo sunglass style TB6042 from Altair and biobased styles Timberland Earthkeeper model TB1310 from Marcolin, Modo’s ECO style Mackenzie, and Gucci style GG3780 from Safilo

TRUE TIMBER
Real wood frames are a true natural selection. Shown top to bottom: Woodone style Sirona in hazelnut and Ulmus leaf, Ray-Ban Clubmaster style RB 5154-M in maple from Luxottica, Oga style 7646O in wood stamina crafted from cultivated birch by Morel, Rolf Spectacle style Pullman 95 in Roninine steamed, and MyWoodi style Madrid in hazelnut

NATURE’S PATTERNS
Some styles are inspired by nature’s textures. Shown top to bottom: Costa’s wood grain finish sunglass style Mag Bay; Evatik captures a wood grain look in style E-9111 from Westgroupe, BCBGMAXAZRIA style Harper reimagines snake skin, and Ogi Evolution style 3113 texturizes acetate into a wood grain with matte and shiny finishes