2019 COMMENDATION
BUSINESS:
Peter Coombs Design
PRODUCT:
Luxury Eyewear Design
AWARD CATEGORY:
Design Strategy
INDUSTRY SECTOR:
Products - Sports and Lifestyle
DESIGN:
Peter Coombs
EXPORTING to:
New Zealand, Canada, USA, Italy
1: BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
I am a designer with expertise in jewellery and metalsithing primarily creating luxury eyewear.
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
Utilising knowledge gained over past 4 or 5 years with eywear production, I have realised small and limited production does not easily allow for various sizes of frames and lenses. I identified this as an opportunity to allow the end user - optical store - in our B2B to adjust tweak and customise lens shapes for their clientelle. At the same time I recoginised an opportunity to offer various levels of adornment in the way the frame is created.
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
I designed and created a high polished GR1 titanium chassis which forms the basis of the collection. The chassis is offered in two widths - 135mm & 125mm side to side - to cover the most common face sizes. The design style is informed by the lens shape, and in most cases is offered in 3 levels of adorment. Soirée comes with a standard aregntium silver bar to attach the lenses. Soirée Adorn is offered with a detailed / decorative section to attach the lenses. Soirée Gem is offered with a detailed attachement containing gems. At the same time, the decision to finish the frames in polished GR1 titanium means they will always remain as they are purchased with no coating / colouring to diminish.
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
I have found the uptake and acceptance of the collection to be very positive. The multiple possibilities around the standard chassis has offered the end seller opportunity for flexibility and a degree of fun for their clients. Also, it has removed the worry for the end seller to purchase stock which may not sell, which is always a problem for the stores involved in purchasing higher end product. Instead of being tame in their approach , they are able to be a bit more adventurous as the lens shape and detail can easily be interchanged to suit their paying client.
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
I chose to create the frames from high polished GR1 titanium. This was chosen primarily as it would not require coating and will not oxidise or rust, offering a perfect and inert finish.(especially as skin acid can be quite deleterious.) This beautifully made and finished collection can be delivered as stand alone frames or in kit form, with the standard sized chassis allowing numerous possibilities. The construction has been tested extensively to arrive at the prime metal thickness to allow for adjustment, strength and a light wearing experince. This is all about quality, along with smart prosmart use of material and consideration of the end user, making for an easily dispensed frame and positive consumer experience. Like a Volkswagen Beetle, this is designed with eleganace and simplicity and its success highlights the quality product being designed & made in South Australia.