British luxury leather goods company Aspinal of London has launched a new eyewear collection in partnership with British eyewear designer and manufacturer Eyespace Eyewear.
Unveiling the new range outside Silmo 2019 in October, Eyespace’s export director Ryan James admitted the range was so new, they’d just focused on the British launch at London Fashion Week and hadn’t thought they’d be ready to launch internationally at Silmo, so hadn’t booked a stand. But pressure from some of the company’s new international distributors, including New Zealand’s BTP International Designz, saw James and Eyespace sales director Alan Guider setting up shop in the café outside Silmo’s main entrance.
Eyespace founders, optometrist and accountant sisters Jayne and Julie Abel, had always wanted to work on a fashion brand and Aspinal was looking to expand its label, said James. The two found each other through a brand agency, attracted by Eyespace’s optically-trained designers, he said.
The new range incorporates Aspinal’s famous heritage shield, evident in much of the detailing from the shape of the nose pads and hinges to the design of the temple tips. Every frame has been designed from scratch with unparalleled attention to detail, reflecting the iconic luxury styling Aspinal is famous for among Britain’s fashion elite, said James.
