Spectacles circa 1950 courtesy C.W. Dixey & Son
Dear Shaded Viewers,
The Fashion Space Gallery at London College of Fashion has just announced Framed! Contemporary Eyewear in fashion which will launch the 2012/13 programme of exhibitions and events. Framed! will examine the cultural significance of eyewear and celebrate it's rise and rise as the ultimate luxury accessory. It will feature over 100 frames- some never before shown to the public- loaned from public and private collections, eyewear companies, fashion houses and bespoke makers. You know this exhibit interests yours truly.
Moscot Shop at 119 Orchard Street NYC 1932
On display will be iconic frames by British companies like Oliver Goldsmith, Anglo-American Cutler and Gross and of course world-renowed brands such as Ray Ban, Moscot, Cazal, and Stevie Boi .Other featured brands include: Alain Mikli, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Carrera, Chanel, Christian Dior, Linda Farrow, Ferre, Paloma Picassso, Pierre Cardin, Polaroid, Prada, Pucci and Versace.
Andrew, Charles and Ray Goldsmith at the Dorchester Hotel eyewear trade show in 1966 courtesy Oliver Goldsmith
You will follow the journey of eyewear through film, archival photography and a newly commissioned timeline by Emily Alston. It wll take you through the mid-twentieth century until today with an emphaisis on its role wiing fahsion imagery and pop culture. It will show you how celebrities, actors and personalities have adopted spectacles and sunglasses as part of their signature aesthetic.
Advertising image from 1956 courtesy Polaroid
Andrew Logan in Cutler and Gross image by Madame Peripetie – Sylwana Zybura
C.W. Dixey & Son had clients: Sir Winston Churchill, seven Kings and Queens of England, Napoleon Bonaparte and Emperor Qianlong of China among the earliest to incorporate diamonds and platinum into eyewear and create lavish one-off pieces for European Royalty. More recently you will see experimental prototypes by Bernhard Wilhelm, Erdem, Giles, Thomas Tait, Tatty Devine and Nairobi-based artist Cyrus Kabiru who will have a front entrance showcase in the gallery.
Dates: 12 September – 3 November 1st Floor London College of Fashion, 20 John Princes Street, London W1G 0BJ tube is Oxford Circus Hours: Monday – Friday 10h – 20h Saturday 10h – 16h and closed on Sundays. Entrance is Free.
Later,
Diane
