glasses

Riedel Endorses Miele as Dishwasher of Choice

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Riedel stemware are beautiful "tools" (in the words of CEO Maximilian Riedel) to help you get the most out of your wine varietal or spirit of choice. But they also come with a seven step "Cleaning Guide," which is about four to five more steps than I want to perform when doing dishes. The solution came from high-end German appliance maker, Miele, who overcame Riedel's skepticism to become the first automatic dishwasher approved by the 250-year-old Austrian glassmakers for cleaning their products.

Riedel, along with Miele USA CEO Nick Ord, convened at Miele's Manhattan gallery to announce the partnership, which they said went beyond brand synergy and represented an old-fashioned European alliance, sealed with a handshake. Ord said the goal of achieving Riedel's imprimatur was a personal, as well as, professional challenge for him, as he owns Riedel glassware and naturally uses a Miele machine at home. Extensive and rigorous testing ensued with an emphasis on Miele's patented water hardness-adjusting GlassCare function and the basket design of the G 5000 series (Riedel is especially sensitive about his glasses being placed too close together).

Satisfied that their Museum of Modern Art-worthy wine glasses were in good hands, Riedel gave its blessing. When used properly, Miele owners can expect their Riedel glasses to last 1,500 washing cycles, or about 20 years on average, according to Ord. That sure beats 20 years of the seven step method.

Tags: dishwasher, gadgets, glasses, glassware, miele, new york, partnership, riedel, wine

Holiday Gift Idea: La Loop

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

I've reached that age when reading glasses are a must. One problem is that I have a tendency to leave them places. One solution comes from designer Elizabeth Faraut, of La Loop. She has created pieces that are necklaces with a handy circle for keeping your glasses in place when not in use. The jewelry collection includes oval shells from New Zealand, round matte black Onyx from Mexico, cylindrical Pyrite from Spain and a Marcasite loop in steel leather.

Prices range from the $22 Sport Loop to the $200 St. Tropez that pairs Swarovski crystals with an iridescent gold Italian leather to the $430 square sterling link chain, handmade in Germany, shown above. The brand can now be found in more than 500 stores across 16 countries that includes museum stores and specialty boutiques such as Le Bon Marche in
Paris, Isetan in Tokyo and Harrods in London. They are also available online.

Tags: glasses, holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts, la loop, sunglasses

The Perfect Beer Connoisseur Set

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Men's Style

Spiegelau's new Beer Connoisseur Kit is an instant classic. Whether it's for Father's Day or for you, you're not likely to find a simpler and more elegant set of crystalline beer glasses -- and for just $49.

Lager is one of the most common beers, and that's why most people serve all beers in lager-friendly pint glasses. However, the shape of the glass greatly affects the experience of a beer's aroma and flavor, and not all beers are made alike. If you consider the way the taste buds are arranged on the tongue, it makes sense that the way a beer flows into the mouth will affect the taste. The shape of the glass determines that flow, and there is no one-glass-fits-all for beer.

The Kit features, from left to right, Spiegelau's new Tall Pilsner Glass, Wheat Beer Glass, a Lager Glass (pint glass) and a Stemmed Pilsner Glass, ensuring that you always serve your beer in a shape conducive to expressing the beer's optimum flavor.

All the glasses are German-made and dishwasher-safe. If presenting someone with the Beer Connoisseur Kit as a gift, we recommend also gifting them with four imported beers ideal for the glasses, like a Bohemian-style pilsner for the Tall Pilsner Glass, a wheat (or "weizen") beer, an esoteric lager and a highly-fermented, intense pilsner for the stemmed glass.

Tags: beer, beer glasses, fathers day, fathers day gift ideas, fathers day gifts, glasses, glassware, pilsner, pilsner glasses, spiegelau

The Sunglasses Shop Makes the Stars' Sunglasses Yours, Easily

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry

This has a decidedly London tilt, but we can't help sharing the bounty of The Sunglasses Shop UK. If you're on The 'Sceptered Isle or just passing through, it might be worth a perusal.

Of course, sunglass retailers are common. What aren't common are retailers that make it so easy to find that pair of sunnies you caught while flipping through InStyle or GQ a couple of months ago. The Sunglasses Shop has nearly 40 pages of pictures of celebrities in sunglasses to let you know what was being sported. If you don't find the particular shades you simply must have, the site has a forum where you can post a picture and ask, "What are these?" If the site's spotters know what they are, they'll let you know you and include a link if they sell them. But even if the site doesn't sell them, they'll tell you what the model is if they know and suggest something close from their own stores.

If you want to keep up with trends, there's even a page for best sellers. Last month one of the biggest movers was Tom Ford's James Bond 007, designed for Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace but seen above shielding the eyes of Marc Antony. If Mr. Lo has made the association a little dubious, perhaps go with fellow bestsellers the Daddy B as worn by Jay Z, or the Carrera Panamerika, a favorite of Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, and Sean Paul. Or wait and see who wears what this month. The Sunglasses Shop has you covered. Or your eyes, at least.

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Tags: glasses, london, sunglasses, sunglasses shop uk, uk

You're it with Maria Sharapova's TAG Heuer Eyewear Collection

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Celebrity Design

Your list of personal attributes might not include blonde, 6' 2" and mean-with-a-backhand. There might not be a Wimbledon trophy with your name on it. You might not even be Russian. But that doesn't mean you can't at least look like – kind of – the person who has all of those qualities. To do so, you should probably start with the Maria Sharapova Sunglass Collection by TAG Heuer Eyewear.

Designed by the Grand Slam winner herself, the collection includes aviator frames in motorsports-grade stainless steel, or thick, hand-polished, black acetate large-format frames. That latter variety is available in several trims: black with gray or gradated lenses; ivory frame with blue grey lenses; tortoiseshell with gradient brown lenses; and dark plum with gradient pink lenses. And so that there will be no doubt, her autograph is discreetly laser-etched into the ultra light, shatter-resistant, UVA- and UVB-protected lenses.

The collection goes on sale as of this month, retailing for $250.00 at TAG Heuer Eyewear retailers. Your road to the Grand Slam begins here, and once you've mastered the glasses you can work on that backhand...

Gallery: Maria Sharapova Collection by TAG Heuer Eyewear

Tags: accessories, EyeWear, glasses, maria sharapova, sunglasses, tag, tag heuer

Lugano Diamonds Sunglasses

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

World-renowned jeweler Lugano Diamonds has come out with a new set of sunglasses designed by Barton Perriera that feature frames inlaid with clear and colored diamonds. Above is my favorite with pink lenses, gold frame, and 2.85 carats of fancy pink diamonds, and in the gallery below there's a leopard-print design with intense yellow and black diamonds on the frame and also a pretty purple version. Diamonds on sunglasses all too often end up looking gaudy and overly flashy but these are nicely understated. Just a little sparkle at your temple to honor your love of diamonds. Sunglasses priced at about $27,000 each.

Gallery: Lugano Diamonds Sunglasses

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Tags: glasses, lugano, lugano diamonds, LuganoDiamonds, sunglasses

Louis Vuitton Ella Sunglasses

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Ready to go a little contemporary, retro, and femme fatale all at once? Louis Vuitton's new Spring/Summer Ella sunglasses are a unique blend of style and color, featuring a laser-cut aluminum frame with visor in your choice of bright pink or green color hues. ILVOELV says they look like a new age superhero mask and I have to say I kind of agree -- I can't decide if I love them or hate them! Louis Vuitton certainly gets points for fun, though. $600, look for them in a boutique near you.

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Tags: glasses, louis vuitton, LouisVuitton, sunglasses

Lisa Loeb's Classique Eyewear Collection

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, Celebrity Design

Singer Lisa Loeb made it kind of cool to wear chunky glasses, and they became her signature look. Now she's joined with Classique Eyewear to offer an eponymous eyewear collection, to be available in Spring 2010. The Lisa Loeb Collection features "frames for every face, and a look for any occasion: the office, school, your best friend's wedding, or the after party. Designs to accentuate a life fully lived." Styles will be offered in black and tortoise shell as well as bold colors, and there will be signature accents such as temple designs, etchings, and rhinestones. Each of the frames bears the title of one of Loeb's songs, and the colors in the line are inspired by her love of food and the culinary arts. The line is aimed toward women, but some smaller frames will fit young girls and some unisex styles will appeal to fashionable men.

Tags: eyeglasses, eyewear, glasses, Lisa Loeb, LisaLoeb

Tag Heuer Introduces Intensive HD lenses For Land-Loving Activities

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports

Of course you've those expensive Italian sunglasses for water skiing afternoons in Vis. But what do you cover your eyes with during a round of links in Scottsdale when it's essential to detect all of the greens on the green? For those land-lubbing sports Tag Heuer eyewear has created its Intensive HD lenses.

The vermillion-hued shades are photochromic and go from translucent in mild light to a mirrored, "silver flash" reflective when things get bright. They're the first lenses to be able shift from semi-transparent to fully mirrored, as well as maintain all of the dimensional detail you need when putting or pigeon shooting. And that means all you'll need is two minutes in the sun to channel your inner Erik Estrada -- or Angelina Jolie.

The polycarbonate protect against UV-A and UV-B, will be available in Zenith, Club, and 27° frame styles, and are priced from $310 to $420.

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Tags: glasses, lenses, sunglasses, tag heuer, TagHeuer

Orlando Artist Blows Glass, Minds

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Charlie Keila laughed at me. I had just commented on how hot his studio gets, and he couldn't contain the amusement of a man who deals with it every day. Artists who work in glass spend a lot of time around 1,900 degree ovens – it's just part of the job. When you look at the work produced, though, you can see why it's worth becoming acclimated to the sweltering conditions. Keila can only be described as a master.

Keila's studio sits at the corner of Orange and Pine in Orlando, FL – just across the street from Corona Cigar Co. – in the City Arts Factory. In fact, the artist was in large part responsible for the location. After having learned the glass art trade elsewhere, he returned to the town of his teenage years, bringing with him a commitment to arts and culture for which Orlando had been desperate.

This is the Orlando that's obscured by "The Mouse" ... but it exists. If you look past the theme parks and set your sights on downtown Orlando, you can find a vibrant culture that deserves far more recognition than it receives.

For years, Keila says, Orlando has effectively exported its talent. Artists and business professionals alike grow up in Orlando and take their talent elsewhere. The community is deprived of the talent it creates, resulting in a cultural and professional vacuum. This is exactly the problem that the glass-blower sought to solve when he decided to return.

Tags: art, art market, art studios, artist, ArtMarket, ArtStudios, artwork, florida, glass, glass art, GlassArt, glasses, glassware, local, orlando

Continue reading “Orlando Artist Blows Glass, Minds”

Colorful Mismatched Tumbler Set

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining

Set your table with this eclectic group of glasses and you'll not only have a colorful display but there won't be any worries about whose glass is whose. Designed by Pols Potten and imported from Amsterdam, the set consists of 6 glasses, all in distinctly different colors and patterns. The only constants between them are their conical shape and a theme of bright jewel tones like violet, ink, and seagreen. Whimsical polka dots and classic stripes will fit the mood and personality of every guest. $99

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Tags: dining, dinnerware, glasses, glassware, tabletop, tumbler

Alain Mikli Gold Horn Glasses

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Those of us who wear glasses know what a big deal it is to find just the right pair -- glasses have a major effect on your daily appearance and how others view you. So it's worth spending a little extra to have quality and the look you want, and you will pay extra for this pair of glasses from the Alain Mikli Gold Horn Collection. Among other features the collection boasts a new technology that seamlessly blends 14k yellow gold and 24k pink gold together. Although I think they have an awesome look I'm not sure I could justify doling out over $8,000 for them (even if I had it to spend). $8,600

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Tags: alain mikli, AlainMikli, glasses

Ruckl Engineering Crystal

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Engineers live in a world full of numbers and strange formulas that rarely make sense to observers, and this Engineering Collection designed by Ruckl Crystal Glassworks is designed just for them. Each clear crystal piece is simply designed and has its dimensions clearly etched onto the side so the engineering type can continue to indulge their love of numbers and calculations even while enjoying a good stiff drink. The Engineering Collection is manufactured in the Czech Republic of cut 24% leaded crystal and sells for $275 - $640.

Via acquire

Gallery: Ruckl Engineering Glassware Collection

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Tags: crystal, engineering, glasses, glassware, ruckl

Diamond Harlot Sunglasses

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Between losing them and accidentally sitting on them, I'm pretty rough on my sunglasses and usually end up going through several pairs every year (or sometimes just in a season). So although I usually stick with fairly inexpensive brands this Diamond Harlot makes me want to rethink that decision. We first covered the Harlot by Oliver Peoples a couple years ago and now the glamorous, over-sized oval design has made a not-to-be-missed return, except this time with the added glitz of an 18k gold lug and 1.5 carats of glittering diamonds on each temple.

The Diamond Harlot is currently available in 3 color schemes (white, black, and pearl) at English and Mulley for £2720.

Via Sybarites

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Tags: diamond harlot, DiamondHarlot, glasses, harlot, oliver peoples, OliverPeoples, sunglasses

Oakley's New Artist Series Frogskins

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Oakley recently collaborated with artist Andrew Petterson to create a unique and refreshing collection of handcrafted one-of-a-kind Frogskins. There are 50 individual designs (I picked my favorites for the gallery below) and they're all so bright, cheerful, and (perhaps most importantly) stylish I'm sure you'll want more than just one pair. Coordinate them by color with your outfits or fall in love with a particular design and wear it as a signature statement.

Available at retail locations around the country -- click here to find one near you -- for $350.

Via acquire

Gallery: Oakley Artist Series Frogskins by Andrew Petterson