Chantal is taking this artisanal “Soleri” frame by Blake Kuwahara with her everywhere. Whether it be the urban streets of Sao Paolo or the sun-drenched beaches of Tel Aviv, these uber cool shades, that follow Blakes “Frame-within-a-frame concept, make her look dashing anywhere. This design creates negative space, not just by the use of both solid as transparent acetates, but also due to its fine cut-outs in the upper and lower temporal quadrants highlights the architecture of this frame.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”Blake Kuwahara” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”15″]By using laborious production techniques and a lot of handwork, an inner silhouette is encased in an unexpectedly fresh outer shape. This seamless fusion of two frames and the juxtaposition of contrasting form and color create a design tension that is thoroughly modern yet comfortably familiar. They are artful but wearable. A paradox. Like me.[/perfectpullquote]
Another masterpiece by the celebrity favorite Kuwahara, whose designs are worn by Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Casey Affleck, Slash, and Charlize Theron among many others. Kuwahara, who also has a doctorate of optometry degree from UC Berkeley, first gained international acclaim as the creator and designer of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand. His groundbreaking use of engineering and production techniques to create texture and detail for KATA Eyewear reinvented the way eyewear design is approached today. Kuwahara has garnered a multitude of awards for his designs including “Best of Category in Consumer Products” from I.D. magazine and “Silmo d’Or” from a panel of French fashion journalists. Kuwahara is also a longstanding member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″] I have to admit, I am a bit of a contradiction. I have a weakness for minimalist fashion, but I am not a purest; I am compelled to mix Jil Sander with distressed jeans and worn boots. And, like many people I know, straddle both the artistic and business worlds. It was fair to say that many of us struggled to find suitable eyewear – hence the prototype I designed for myself.[/perfectpullquote]
Nicole Wagler interviews eyewear designer Blake Kuwahara at a flea market in Paris, France:
https://youtu.be/C13QsqI1Th4
Shooting: TEFdoesSAOPAOLO
Eyewear: Soleri by Blake Kuwahara
Model: Chantal Goldfinger of ByTheEyewear
Photographer: Rafael Leforte
