Lara D'Alpaos at Silmo 2019

Italian-based, nine-year-old international brand Lara D’ Eyewear has arrived in New Zealand.

Her new collection, unveiled at Silmo in October, includes about 22 new models, many sporting bright colours and cut-outs to show the layers, plus a new six-model gold and diamond range, featuring 24ct gold-plated frames, sprinkled with diamond powder to make them sparkle.

Founder and designer, Lara D’Alpaos admits colour is one of her great passions. “I really love playing with colours; different coloured layers and levels.

“Lara D’ Eyewear is me. It’s my name, so it’s my collection and I like colours, I like sparkly things, I like playing. I think in life, you are happier with colours. So, this is what I try to put in my collection. I want to see people smile, because I like to smile.”

Phil Wilson, director of New Zealand distributor Phoenix Eyewear, admits it was the range’s colour that attracted them at Mido earlier this year. “It was the colour and duo tones, matched with wearable shapes. The collection is also of exceptional quality and is 100% made in Italy.”

But it was also D’Alpaos herself that led them to take on the brand and introduce it to New Zealand. “Lara’s passion and her enthusiasm as a designer is uplifting. Her collection is something new and exciting for our market and we are excited to work with such a great company.”