Issue #55April 27th 2016

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Y3 by adidas and Yohji Yamamoto

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Italian eyewear shows off in NYA group participation of companies at the 30th International Vision Expo

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Interviews with the winners of Bestore 2016

The top 3optical stores in the world

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| Issue #55 | April 27th 2016

WMIDO meets the three winners of Bestore 2016In 2015 Mido set up the Bestore Award for the outlet

that offers the best shopping experience. This year, the international jury composed of sector leaders, trendsetters and marketing experts, decreed that “the best optical store in the world” is Steingasse 14 of Heidelberg (Germany). Second on the podium was L’Osservatorio di Milano (Italy), with third place going to Black Optical of Tulsa (Oklahoma, USA). WMIDO had exclusive interviews with them.

Can you tell us the story of your shops?Steingasse 14. There was a time when I wasn’t

happy with my personal situation. So I decided to change something. I guess that´s the beginning of lots of stories... So I just searched the web for a location in Heidelberg’s historic part of town. I immediately called the agent, met the landlord, presented my idea and that’s how things started.

L'Osservatorio. I took over the store in 2012 but I redefined the project together with architect Donald Judd. The idea was to create a space that would showcase only eyewear with a strong design content.

Black Optical. Our vision began with what we learned from both our successes and failures in designing our first location. Having spent countless hours in the Tulsa location with our clients, we knew better what would serve and inspire them going forward. By 2011, when we opened in Oklahoma City, we had established a consistent vision for our brand.Can you fescribe your shops?

Steingasse 14. The shop is located in the midst of Heidelberg’s Old Town, in one of the most beautiful historic alleys. Originally constructed in 1720, the building is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the city. However, this classical substance was no longer visible when we began refurbishing the interior. It was our ambition to bring out the original character when we gutted the building, opening up and revealing the historic walls and ceiling. Our showroom presentation is reminiscent of a gallery. The visual concept of a black-and-

The top three optical stores in the world

white contrast emphasises the depth from the brightly lit product space to the dark counter area.

L'Osservatorio. The principle regulating the architectural and sales concept is subtraction; behind it was Donald Judd, the minimalist architect who had a powerful influence on the project, but primarily there is a vision of space that complies with a precise philosophy: that of “disclosure”.

Black Optical. In Oklahoma City, our 1,000 square foot store is highlighted by four distinct elements. First the asymmetrical form of the Cassina table mirrors the trapezoidal shape of our store. Second, the seating lounge, marked by marble steps, a Platner table and four surrounded on two sides by giant panes of window glass. The lounge features three chairs that inspired the design of the entire store. Third, two mirrors towering fifteen feet create an endless vanishing point. Finally, the store is marked with mahogany shelves. Why did you think you won?

Steingasse 14. To me the main reason why we won is because of something that you cannot see at first sight. And it is something that you cannot re-create if it isn’t part of you. It’s all about the fact that everything about Steingasse 14 is a perfect fit for me and my partner Fred. It is a 100% pure reflection of our way to do business and of what we believe in.

L'Osservatorio. Although the store was conceived 12 years ago, it is still up-to-date and well balanced between the historical character of its location in the center of Milan and the modernity of a minimal store.

Black Optical. From the beginning, we set out to achieve three things: to curate and retail the best eyewear in the world, to welcome and care for every client like a friend and to create environments that inspire us every day. We have stayed true to these goals every day since. It is our hope, that our diligence to pursue this vision through excellence and consistency has earned us this considerable honor and recognition.

Steingasse 14 L’Osservatorio Black Optical

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| Issue #55 | April 27th 2016

The United States is the leading international market for eyewear, with 25.5% of global market share and 2015 imports from Italy that surged by 22.8% over 2014 figures. Thus, Italian eyewear took flight for New York, April 15-17, 2016 as part of an ANFAO (Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers’ Association) initiative, in partnership with ITA (the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion and internationalization of companies abroad), that organized the group participation of Italian eyewear businesses at the 30th International Vision Expo New York. 25 Italian companies partecipated in the group initiative: their products, known for their unique design, research and innovative materials were appreciated by the buyers.

"The Invasion Pinko" is the collection of sunglasses designed and developed to complete the total look by Italia Independent and Pinko. The collection, entirely Made in Italy, consists of four models, each available in twelve different colors. A unique blend of craftsmanship and technology, the glasses are characterized by innovative treatments and special finishes, result of Italia Independent's ongoing research as well as by the strong use of color that emphasizes Pinko’s creativity."The glasses represent a new adventure for us, a product category with a strategic long-term potential”, commented Pietro Negra, CEO and President of Pinko. “We are pleased to be able to count on the collaboration of Italia Independent".

Mykita opens its most recent shop – the second in the United States – on a stylish street corner in the historic neighbourhood of Georgetown. Joining the line of Mykita Shops around the world, each with their own distinctive identity, this red brick, heritage-listed building is one of the oldest in the U.S. Capital. The character of the old townhouse with its solid oak flooring creates a beautiful contrast to the clean and modern Mykita aesthetic. The interior design of the Mykita Shop features a contemporary composition of different furniture elements and contrasting materials. Here the concept of the readymade – objects removed from their original context – merges with specially designed furniture pieces and stage-like lighting. The result is a kind of installation with a simple and clear construction that both preserves and complements the original character of the Federal era building.

During the Fuorisalone in Milan, Tiramisù Delishoes of Milan - the first Fashion Restaurant Dessert Bar in Italy to combine innovative catering with exclusive proposals of shoes and accessories - hosted the exhibition-event dedicated to female motorcyclists: Sweet... and design.

All the products presented were conceived, designed and made in Italy by established brands and small artisan studios. They included Blackfin, the brand of titanium eyewear produced in accordance with the principles of neomadeinitaly. The company presented some of its iconic sunglasses: futuristic models or those with a retro-glam flavour, lightweight frames in titanium and beta-titanium, with contrasting colours and very high-quality lenses.

Italian eyewear shows off in NY

A coloured invasion

Mykita opens in Washington

Blackfin at Fuorisalone

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Alexis Nasard CEO BataSilvano Salmaso General Director StoneflyChad Smith Rx Sales Development Director VuarnetFelix Marks Director Sales and Marketing Colors in Optics

Vuarnet has selected the well-known French actor, Vincent Cassel, as its new testimonial. “Vincent embodies the essence of Vuarnet perfectly: elegance and movement,” explained Lionel Giraud, CEO of the brand. "Vuarnet is an iconic brand name. With the exceptional quality of lenses and avant-garde style, they were the glasses that everyone wanted when they were 20 years old," commented the talented actor, who starred this year in Xavier Dolan’s film “Juste la fin du monde” and the sequel of “Bourne” by Paul Greengrass. “Back in the day, I gave myself the 03 model and I wore them for years. Becoming the testimonial for Vuarnet is a pleasure: it is a French product and I like the idea of being a part of the revival of this brand, which has always been highly reputable."The images of the campaign were shot by photographer Marcel Hartmann in Rio de Janeiro, where Cassel lives.

For the second year in a row, Silhouette eyewear was a guest at the exhibition of Austrian design, Back Ahead - New Austrian Design Perspectives, held at Villa Necchi Campiglio during the International Furniture Show in Milan. Organized by Advantage Austria, the exhibition displayed about 75 highly selected Austrian products. This year the main theme was the interplay between perspectives that look back at the history of Austrian design and those that look ahead to the future development of the Austrian creative industry. This year Silhouette celebrated the sale of 10 million pairs of its iconic model, Titan Minimal Art, with a new edition called Pulse that features fresh, refined colours with transparent bushings in fluo hues matching the temple end pieces and lenses in 12 different shapes.

Nau! opens in the new mall at Arese

Silhouette at the exhibition of Austrian design

Vincent Cassel new testimonial for Vuarnet

Nau! has opened a new store in “Il Centro”, the shopping centre in Arese. The mall is the

largest commercial structure in Italy and was designed by Davide Padoa (Design International), Michele De Lucchi and Arnaldo Zappa, who were inspired by London’s Covent Garden. Built on the site of the former Alfa Romeo plant, “Il Centro” occupies over 90,000 covered square meters and features a number of squares surrounded by more than 200 stores, including the new Nau! store. The outlet at Arese joins recent new openings in Genoa, Tor Vergata (Rome) and Conegliano (Treviso).

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Design, fashion & lifestyle

Peter Marino for the project Barrique

adidas and Yohji Yamamoto open a new era in functional, high-performance apparel by launching the first technical collection by Y-3, Y-3 Sport, the main theme of which is industry.

Lawrence Midwood, Senior Director of Design of Y-3, explained the project: “Creating technologically-advanced collections is what we do best and we worked closely with Yohji and his team on applying them to Y-3 aesthetics and creating something unique".Yohji Yamamoto is of the same opinion and described the collection as follows: “Y-3 is Sport. It has always been the essence and main inspiration of the brand and the reason why I approached adidas in 2002. This capsule is the next chapter in our fifteen-year-old story."

Editorial Director: Francesco Gili MIDO Srl Unipersonale · Via Petitti, 16 - 20149 Milano (Italy) · Phone +39 02 32673673 · P. Iva IT 07164050150

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email: redazione@wmido.com

Until 4 July, Palazzo Madama in Turin will host the exhibition “From Poussin to the Impressionists. Three centuries of French painting.” It is an extraordinary selection of over 70 works from the collections of the prestigious Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg for an exhibition that illustrates the history of French painting from the 1600s to the end of the 1800s, from the advent of the academies to the new freedom of en plein air paintings proposed by the Impressionists. The exhibition traces all the great themes of modern painting – from the sacred to the mythological, from still life to portraits, from landscapes to genre painting - and outlines the success of French art in Russia. The works are accompanied by an insightful audio guide by Artune, with music by famous Italian artists.

| Issue #55 | April 27th 2016

Paul Cézanne – Still Life with a Curtain, 1894-1895 Oil on canvas.

55 x 74.5 cm, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

Eleventy aims at sustainable luxury

adidas and Yohji Yamamoto still together

Ermenegildo Zegna, in collaboration with San Patrignano, Gian Marco and Letizia Moratti, has presented the cabinet Adam & Eve by Peter Marino, a new chapter of the project Barrique, the third life of wood. Founded in 2012 with the purpose of supporting the recovering path of the young people of San Patrignano by breathing new life into recyclable wood, the project has grown into a permanent collection of over 46 pieces, designed by renowned designers or architects and then hand crafted by the young people of San Patrignano Design Lab. Presenting a strong sense of duality, Adam & Eve plays with the original oak barrel staves which function as both the soul and the formative design details. Adam’s side is defined by the staves of the barrel and features the lighter colored and convex shutters. Eve’s side is designed from the inner barrel components with concave shutters and is further characterized by the typical purple hue, left by preserved wine.

Eleventy has commissioned photographer Stefano Guindani to create the FW 2016-17 lookbook. Eighty-one shots by photographer Stefano Guindani capture unexpected aspects of Milan, and in each, capture a detail, a walk, an outfit from the new collections for men and women. The new lookbook is the first in a series that will be devoted to a site in Italy where Eleventy has sunk its roots. Infact, the group’s production system is based on a network of 94 micro-enterprises, each capable of guaranteeing the values of Made in Italy. ‘We benefit from a unique manufacturing heritage and it is our responsibility to safeguard such high-level professional skills and jobs. This is our engagement for a new concept of responsible luxury’ concludes Marco Baldassari, Ceo of the Group.

Three centuries of French painting in Turin