Jørgen Simonsen Specsavers Osiris Collection Interview

Haute couture designer, Jørgen Simonsen, has announced the launch of his new eyewear collection exclusively for Specsavers. The new Osiris Eyewear sun collection is set to land at Specsavers early October.

Jørgen is renowned in the fashion industry for making radical statements and has worked at some of the world's leading fashion houses including Valentino, Chanel, Givenchy and Versace. Over the years he has designed for a host of A-list stars including the likes of Madonna, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Nicole Kidman and is the mastermind behind the green silk Versace dress that Jennifer Lopez wore at the 42nd Grammy Award Ceremony in 2000.

Jørgen has borrowed from his high-fashion experience to create a range that features a vibrant mix of colours, paired with contemporary detailing and modern shapes. Osiris Eyewear is designed for people who dare to be different, with shape, colour and texture as key design themes across the frames. Two-tone laminates and colour gradients help to lift this fashion forward collection above the ordinary.

Jørgen first burst on to the scene after launching 60 bold glasses styles to the public back in 2013, and commenting on the recent update, says -I wanted to diversify from the original eyewear collection by using nature-inspired textures to add an adventurous new dimension of touch and feel to eyewear,' explains Jørgen.

-Osiris Eyewear is designed to be daring. The new styles fuse bright hues, drawn from pop art, movie icons and modern life, with nature-influenced textures like reptile skin, leather and tortoiseshell. We've also fused semi-translucent acetates with retro styles from the 1950s through to the 1990s in my current collection.'

The women's collection combines the rawness of punk with a contemporary touch, taking the blatant hard edge away and softening it with a mix of materials and alluring colour to provide balance. While the men's collection is spun and woven from the very same cloth, drawing inspiration from heroic, utterly macho and masculine characters like outcast urban fighter Mad Max, to volatile free spirited rocker Jim Morrison.

Inspired by the exhibition Punk: Chaos To Couture, shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Jørgen has created a collection is truly unique and bold.

Yesterday and tomorrow collide in the Osiris Flora and Osiris Enzo prescription sunglasses, fusing classic shapes with cutting-edge design, while Osiris Serafina and Osiris Sandro are right on trend with attention-grabbing colour gradients.

Osiris Eyewear is available exclusively at all Specsavers stores throughout Australia and new Osiris Eyewear sun will be available from Thursday, 1 October, priced from just $99 for one pair.
For more information visit www.specsavers.com.au

Interview with Jørgen Simonsen

Question: How would you describe your eyewear line exclusively for Specsavers?

Jørgen Simonsen: New and surprising twists on the classics. Within my current Osiris Eyewear collection which is stocked exclusively at Specsavers, you will find frames that revisit the aviator and the clubmaster, but all with a tweak making them fresh and modern. Translucent frames are huge this year too and also feature in my current collection.

Question: What influenced the range for Specsavers?

Jørgen Simonsen: The Osiris Eyewear collection is in part inspired by an exhibition I saw at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York called Punk: Chaos to Couture. The exhibition focused on stepping outside the boundaries and was all about breaking the rules and conventions. In this collection I mix soft, traditional folkloric elements with the edgy, non-conformist ethos of punk rock to make a stylistic, visual and ideological clash. I like to do this in my designs and feel I have accomplished this in my new Osiris Eyewear collection.

This particular range really focuses on:
Shape – remodelling and modernising interpretations of past iconic designs
Colour – striking colours and unusual materials
Texture – I'm all about texture and making each frame very tactile


Question: Who did you have in mind when you were designing the collection?

Jørgen Simonsen: Anyone who isn't afraid of looking edgy but loves a classic, chic look. Osiris Eyewear is daring and made for those who want to stand out from the crowd.


Question: Why did you choose to create a range featuring vibrant colours?

Jørgen Simonsen: I love to work with pops of colour. I want the frame to stand out and for the wearer to feel they can express a part of their personality through their glasses.

I want people to feel confident in their look, gone are the days that glasses have to be hidden, I'm all about flaunting your specs and making your glasses a statement piece of your outfit.


Question: Can you talk about the modern shapes of the frames and why you chose these?
Jørgen Simonsen: I wanted to modernise former classic designs to offer something original to the glasses wearer, while still giving a nod to the past. I like to push the boundaries when it comes to designing eyewear and I feel I have captured this in the new collection.

These are glasses that are as unique as the people who wear them – people who appreciate good design, who are confident in themselves and who want to make a statement with their glasses.


Question: Can you talk about how is best to suit glasses frames to our face shapes?

Jørgen Simonsen: When it comes to finding the perfect pair glasses, I always encourage people to have fun with their look and dare to be different. Osiris Eyewear is designed for those who like to turn heads and the below styles are sure to make this happen.

Here are some tips to help you find a style to suit your face shape.

Round:
Osiris Gina 2 pairs for $249 / Osiris Sun Rx Enzo 2 pairs for $249
A round face has fuller cheekbones and little to no angles, with the width and length being similarly proportionate.
Angular frames will create a narrowing effect and sharpen softer features.
These Osiris Eyewear frames will provide some contrast to those with rounder features and the pop of colour in Osiris Gina or the tortoiseshell pattern in Osiris Sun Rx Enzo will provide a stylistic angle as well.

Square:
Osiris Luigi 2 pairs for $249 / Osiris Sun Rx Luca 2 pairs for $199
A square face is defined by a broad, deep forehead, a wide jaw and a square chin.
Soften angular features with more rounded and oval frames.
Pair these Osiris Eyewear frames with skinny khakis and your favourite tank top for the ultimate summer look. Glasses like Osiris Luigi or Osiris Sun Rx Luca will provide soft lines to those with more angular face structures.
Oval:
Osiris Bronte 2 pairs for $249 / Osiris Sun Rx Ella 2 pairs for $249
Oval faces are evenly proportioned and softly rounded.
Try bold oversized shapes or experiment with different colours and materials.
This face shape will suit frames such as Osiris Bronte or Osiris Sun Rx Ella that offer contouring and bold shaping to classic features.

Triangle:
Osiris Gino 2 pairs for $249 / Osiris Sun Rx Alma 2 pairs for $249
A triangle face shape is narrow at the forehead becoming wider at the cheek and chin areas.
Ensure the width of the frame is wider than the jawline to emphasize the narrow upper third of the face.
Frame styles featuring a heavier brow line such as these from Osiris Eyewear will provide balance to the triangular face shape.

Heart:
Osiris Sandro 2 pairs for $199 / Osiris Sun Rx Dario 2 pairs for $199
A heart shaped face features a broad forehead which tapers into a small chin. Cheekbones are high and defined, following the contours of the face.
Choose shapes that balance the varying widths of the face like these Osiris Sandro glasses.
Translucent frames suit almost all skin tones and eye colours, as they are almost 'not there". Pair these with a chic outfit and attitude. They're sure to leave a lasting impression.


Question: Who is your favourite celebrities to work with and why?

Jørgen Simonsen: By far Sarah Jessica Parker. She is not only a super nice person, but she also has an innate love, respect and passion for clothing and fashion in general. On top of that, she is so easy to dress, so Sarah is definitely one of my faves.


Question: What are you currently working on?

Jørgen Simonsen: have just finished my couture collection, so that has been keeping me very busy!


Interview by Brooke Hunter