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Sunday / October 6.
HomemifashionnewsWorld’s First Handmade Acrylic Sunglasses: Kirk & Kirk

World’s First Handmade Acrylic Sunglasses: Kirk & Kirk

The Kirk family has been shaping optics for over a century. Since Sidney and Percy Kirk converted a dilapidated sewing machine into a lens cutter in 1919, they have pushed the boundaries of eyewear.

Today this British family business is run by siblings, Jason and Karen Kirk, who will be exhibiting for the first time at Pitti Uomo – a four day annual fashion-industry event held each January and June in Florence.

it’s taken five years to develop this unique material, which is incredibly light and allows for a bold, chunky frame to be worn comfortably all day

The siblings will use Pitti Uomo to introduce the world’s first handmade acrylic sunglasses. According to the Kirks, it’s taken five years to develop this unique material, which is incredibly light and allows for a bold, chunky frame to be worn comfortably all day.

Seasonal Colour

Creative Director Karen Kirk has a fascination with colour analysis; where colours correspond to seasons, based upon variations of warm and cool tones.

Enter Iris Lavender, Crimson Red, Cool Lilac, Cheeky Raspberry, Classic Tortoiseshell and warmer tones including Corn Yellow, Tiger Orange, Earthly Walnut and Zen Sage.

Complementing the distinct palette are retro-inspired iconic shapes, each of which give the collection its contemporary edge culminating with design innovation through a unique sandblasting technique that has enabled Kirk & Kirk to re-shape their very own grade of Italian acrylic.

“Throughout the creative design process, I was focused on standout colours that are flattering to the wearer and their skin tone, rather than finding the right accessory to match an outfit,” Karen Kirk explained.

In her quest to flex the design process, she also opted to incorporate the use of metal for the temples, juxtaposing the fronts and spring joints in matte acrylic with Alpaca silver temples, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, often used in jewellery because of its flexibility and durability. Offset by a myriad of gradient lenses, this unique collection echoes a bold wave of sculptural inspiration.

All frames are hand-crafted in Italy, finished to the highest optical standards and fitted with fully protective high grade lenses.

Visit: kirkandkirk.com