Designer Focus

Coco Song is an unmistakable name with an unmistakable sound that has become an international cult. Coco, meaning 'ancient' joins the name of the Song dynasty, founder of the city of Hong Kong in 976 AD.

The exclusive Coco Song eyewear collection is homage to the golden age of Chinese culture and art. It originates from the desire to surprise with its use of unusual materials such as feathers, silks, lacquers and leaves encased in the temples. Every component of these frames is hand-made down to each fine detail, meticulously chosen and blended together. This makes it a unique product for the experienced, cosmopolitan and nonconformist customer.

The magnificence of the Oriental dynasties relives in these creations, which have been fashioned with the attention to detail of Italian design. Coco Song embodies expressiveness through the many references to eastern culture. The use of Chinese symbols like dragons, coins and even poetry, is matched with the language of colours. For example, blue for tranquillity, red for joy and love, green for creativity, and yellow - the colour of the Emperor. Oriental influences are even embodied in Coco Song's trademark, which stands for 'rebirth' and many of the symbols adorning the frames signify 'long life', 'longevity' and 'double luck'.

Coco Song - a magical fusion of refined Italian design with the charm of oriental culture.

In 1923 Louis Lafont opened up the first optical shop, Boutique Lafont, in the heart of Paris.  Since that time, Lafont has continued to design and sell designer optical products in over 25 countries around the world. 

Lafont believes the underlying common thread of design universe is harmony, which is characterised by dynamism, elegance, fashion and quality.

 "Today's consumer has an enormous variety of choices,  As a consequence, the consumer can be, and is, more demanding than ever.  The trend of the 1990s is toward simplicity and natural themes.....our objective is to create products that are compatible with current design trends while also bringing harmony to consumer's own lifestyles.  Achievement of this goal dictates that the products we design are comfortable and of very high quality."

French architect Alyson Magee never trusted in the fleetingness of fashions but in a superior concept of design. Originality and creative details lead her to experiment with new ideas for this collection. Sophisticated contemporary designs manufactured at the foot of the French Alps combine intricate detailing and high-tech artistry with materials ranging from the lightweight titanium to dual textured laminates. The sharp lines of the "techno" world and the soft, natural shapes of the "organic" world, successive collections of glasses and sunglasses have brought new directions in style. Minimalist designs, temples with asymmetrical volumes and multi-facets characterize the latest metals. Natural tones with colors evoking glaciers or reflecting the camouflage theme. Translucent acetates, combined with metal or titanium, reveals the usually hidden details of construction. This collection truly has a strong emphasis on design and sometimes showcases frames resembling the details for construction found on a building's blueprints. Face a Face eyewear is designed to appeal to the modern, urban, man or woman who seek unique glasses that reflect their times, environment and personality.

Antoine Bordier first developed his style during the late 1980's while staying at Art Center College in Pasadena, California. He went on to affirm that style through the the experience gained in living and working in various parts of the world such as Los Angeles, Hawaii, New York, and Geneva, where he now heads his own design studio.

"Draw bamboo for ten years, become bamboo. Then forget all the bamboo that you draw".

This phrase of Gorges Duthuit alone defines Antoine's philosophy. All his creations are inspired by his observation of nature and the behavior of organic forms within their environment.

His Koali collection is a synthesis of fluidity and organic strength. It's unique esthetic aspect is discovered through the observation of living things. An alchemy of animal and vegetal inspiration, the collection bears the name of a mysterious Hawaiian plant which metamorphoses looking first like a banana tree, then like a praying mantis. Antoine Bordier does not simply copy nature. He adapts his "knowledge of things vegetaland animal to man's specific needs. The Koali eye glasses find their equilibrium in the harmony of nature, using that judicious duality between simplicity and complexity, organic structures and fluid curves, distinction and discretion. Through their balance and their details they marry the contours of the face while affirming its personality.

To see images of some of the Koali range, click here.