The Worlds Lightest Eyewear Company Silhouette Introduce the Alpha Collection

One day when my poor archivist will endure the laborious task of trawling through my scribbles, they'll find two consistent themes. 1. He talks about his dog a lot. 2. He talks about eyewear equally so, if not more than. Today I'm going to talk about my recent trial of The Alpha Collection from Austrian eyewear brand Silhouette, the lightest eyewear in the world. 

In 1999, Silhouette revolutionised the world of eyewear with their Titan Minimal Art range weighing just 1.8 grams, with no rims, screws or hinges. Now the much anticipated collection of frames for men and women offers a range of innovative features and a suave metallic finish designed to complement the contemporary aesthetic of Silhouette’s core collections.

You have to consider two important factors when choosing eyewear, the comfort and the identity. What does the design say about you? Opting for the right eyewear is not too dissimilar to having a made to measure suit; (did that sound too Swiss Toni?) there is a fine line between comfort and fit. If you like the fashionable skinny look then regardless of the fabric, you'll be compromising on the comfort because you won't be as dexterous in a tight fitting suit. 

With eyewear, I always opt for a veneer of contemporary. I've been seeing a lot of Rose Metal in recent collections from Dior and Michael Kors and I was pleased to see that Silhouette has introduced this vogue aesthetic into its collection. The men’s collection offers a sleek variety of cleverly contrasted colour options and a unique bridge design with a silky matte finish. In addition, Silhouette has invested in a trend-led option, with a distinctive double-bar style on its Ruthenium / Space Blue frame.

Silhouette do have a reputation for being a very durable brand, but like most glasses you have to handle them with respect. You have to use both hands when removing and placing them on your head, otherwise the action will create weakness in the arms of the frames, therefore leading to breakage. You remember how Tom Cruise rumbles John Voight at the end of the Mission Impossible by putting his video glasses on carefully with both hands? "Good morning Mr Phelps". That's how you should treat your glasses. 

Both frames and lenses are new available under the Silhouette Vision Sensation™ programme: the brands new supplier initiative to provide frames and lenses from a single source. Under the Silhouette Vision Sensation™ programme, each stage of production will be carried out under the roof of the newly built Lens Lab in Linz. They're readily available through the Silhouette website as well as several London eye ateliers. If you are after other opticals (not this new Alpha collection) can be purchased via the brand’s luxury online retailer www.pretavoir.co.uk

The Alpha collection is a range of rimless glasses, aimed at the style-conscious male, that offers a selection of unique, dynamic lens shapes in a variety of cool, sophisticated colour contrasts. From a contemporary brown matte frame to a bolder leafy-green and brass design, the Alpha collection caters for a range of styles. Beautifully made, the Alpha frame offers a sleek, minimalist look, with the addition of a double-bar nose bridge for a more contemporary aviator style design. 

Worn by some of the world’s most stylish men including Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Patrick Dempsey – Silhouette is even worn by NASA astronauts when on space missions, so the brand has a proven heritage! 

SHOP MY SILHOUETTE FAVOURITE FRAMES

Photo Credit Andrew Barber