Meet the designer: Marie Wilkinson

Cutler & Gross have been designing timeless, one-of-a-kind eyewear since 1969 when they opened their optical boutique in Knightsbridge, London. Quirky charm, classic elegance and superb craftsmanship are the trademarks of Cutler & Gross, which has endured for over four decades and only gains momentum with every passing year.

The Cutler & Gross new season collection is inspired by a love story set in 1960s Hong Kong. One of the visionaries behind this exquisite collection is Design Director Marie Wilkinson. We asked her a few questions to find out who's behind the beautiful eyewear.

What (or who) inspires you? 

I am inspired by the people always.

What three words sum up your design ethos? 

The glasses must be relevant, flattering and have a certain wit.

Best piece of fashion advice? 

Get to know yourself and select styles that suit you.

Favourite frame from your range and why? 

0822 because it is my ideal man’s frame, with elegant clean sweeping brow line; the aviator lens is a ‘nod‘ to the pilot shaped glasses Steve McQueen wore, the keyhole bridge is both a historical optical design and one that elongates the nose and is super comfortable and the lean, parallel temples are supremely elegant.

What is your pet peeve? 

Motorists being disrespectful to cyclists! (I am recent convert to London’s bicycle hire scheme)

What would be your perfect day off? 

Beach combing with my partner  and son on west coast of Harris, in the outer Hebrides.

Meet the designer: Martin Lehmann

Martin Lehmann, along with school friend Martin Stempell , founded the aptly named Martin & Martin label in 1997. Both Martins came from diverse working backgrounds to form an eyewear business in their homeland of Germany. Before long their designs were featured on the runways in Paris.

Over the years Martin & Martin established itself as a creative and innovative frame design house, making quality eyewear based around a whole lifestyle concept. Ranges are constructed from the highest grade acetate, featuring interesting pathways that play with the juxtaposition of dark and light colours.

With their attention to quality, classic styling and clean modern lines, the two Martins have built a superior eyewear company only found in carefully selected opticians around the globe.

Martin Lehmann

What (or who) inspires you?

For some time I have been inspired by the incredible versatility of cellulose, it is one of the basic elements life is constructed of. That is why I choose acetate as raw material for our frames, because it’s basically made from cellulose.

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Minimalistic, natural, elegance.

Best piece of fashion advice?

For men it would have to be ‘Hagen’. For ladies ‘Hanna’.

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Currently the Paul X. It seems to look cool on all faces aged 20 to 80, men and women....

What is your pet peeve?

Watching TV soaps sober...

What would be your perfect day off?

Going for an extremely long hike on a sunny day.

Meet the designer: Richard Mewha

New York-based Bevel fills the spectacle world’s niche for colourful eyewear that maintains clean lines and minimalist styling. The company’s co-founder Richard Mewha is committed to making eyewear “as essential to personal style and self-esteem as apparel or cosmetics.” 

The eternal traveller, Richard ensures success in his designs by keeping up with the global cultural zeitgeist. With names like 'Fist Pump' and 'My Space', unconventional shapes and never-before seen colour pathways, the Bevel range is avant-garde eyewear with a unifying sense of classic charm.

Richard Mewha

What (or who) inspires you?

I am inspired by my whole environment every day. In terms of design, my main inspiration is my own aesthetic. I love color, clean lines, modern and antique furniture. Art - Ai Wei Wei. Music - Radiohead, Dead Can Dance and The National. Books - historical fiction, lately.

What three words sum up your design ethos?
Color, minimal, quality.

Best piece of fashion advice?

Listen to someone with taste.

Favourite frame from your range and why?
8623 Shark Biscuit. It is funky but not overpowering, cool without trying too hard.

What is your pet peeve?

People who think they don't need to learn/explore/travel/push themselves.

What would be your perfect day off?
An early round of golf/ scuba dive. Day with my wife and 3 daughters. Dinner with my wife next to the ocean.

Meet the designer: David Rose

SALT. OPTICS never cease to amaze us. From design and craftsmanship to service and staff, this independent company does an exceptionally good job of everything.

Based in California, SALT are a bunch of passionate people who believe in "simple things made well".  Perhaps that's why their beautiful eyewear never seems to date. The designers at SALT draw inspiration from mid-century style, and revamp it using the latest technology to create eyewear that is always fresh, unique and timeless. 

Take a look at the video below  -SALT's 2011 collection - and you'll see what we mean!

We caught up with David Rose, one of the visionaries behind the SALT brand, to find out what makes him tick and what's behind such enduring design.

David Rose

What (or who) inspires you?

Floating freely between the office, ocean, wilderness and mountains.  People all around serve as valuable reference as well.  Also, sometimes it’s the most insignificant details that catch me the most.   Like contrase lining on a messenger tote or pocket detail on great coat or the quality and craftsmanship of a pair of hand sewn boots.  

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Modesty, integrity, determination.  

Best piece of fashion advice?

I always try to keep a little bit of the old but stay in the present. It’s really just about what feels good to you.  It’s always great to find little unique accent pieces too.  Like a cool pair of patterned socks or belt with an interesting buckle.  Something that lets you complement and embrace your independent lifestyle. 

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Yates.  Classic timeless styling with clean vintage accents to the endpeice.  Looks great in Matte True Navy and friendly Brownstone. 

What is your pet peeve?

Right now it’s the Japanese Yen. 

What would be your perfect day off?

Morning run at the bluffs, work my way over to the beach with family and friends, quick surf, head to the Sierra’s and traverse through the mountains in search of my favorite fishing hole. 

Meet the designer: Claire Goldsmith

Back when we used buy from 'big brand' eyewear manufacturers, we knew little about who we were dealing with, let alone their design philosophy. Now that we handpick our ranges from our favourite designers around the globe, we are privileged to get to know them, their passion for eyewear, and what makes them tick.

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting a series of short interviews with our designers, so you can get to know them too. This week it's the lovely Claire Goldsmith.

Claire Goldsmith

The Goldsmith name is huge in eyewear. Claire’s great-grandfather Oliver Goldsmith invented the sunglass as we know it, by creating the first ready-to-wear shades. Throughout the '60s and '70s, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses were made famous by the likes of John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Michael Caine. 

For the past decade, Claire has been busy breathing life back into the iconic OG shades. And since 2009, Claire's design talent has been showcased in her very own optical range, fittingly titled 'Legacy'. 

Innovative, but with an elegant nod to the past, this beautiful eyewear really makes a statement. Claire's unique frames can only be found in the world's finest optical boutiques - and now adorning the faces of many stylish Premium Eyewear clients.

'Campbell' from Claire Goldsmith's Legacy collection

'Riley' from Claire Goldsmith's Legacy collection

We asked Claire a few questions about her philosophy, and here's what she said:

What (or who) inspires you?

To leave behind a legacy and to have made a contribution to the world in some way!

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Clean. Timeless. Thought-provoking.

Best piece of fashion advice?

Don't be a slave to fashion. Rock your own style.

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Within the CG collection it’s a bit like having children, I don't have favourites. I like CG collection as a whole. Different frames for different people really.

Oliver Goldsmith is different. I didn't design it so I can be more objective about it. I have lots of OG favs. Y-Not, Audrey, Uuksu, Lord.....

What is your pet peeve?

In eyewear? Licences! Cheap badly made glasses sporting expensive brands. It's disrespectful to the brand, and even more so to the end customer charging them all that money for very little quality.

What would be your perfect day off?

A 24 hour spa massage!!!

Whether it's vintage sunglasses or edgy optical frames, Claire's passion and commitment to quality and innovation is obvious. Rumour has it Claire's got some exciting new optical frames to be released soon. We can't wait to see what she'll bring out next!