A FASHION ICON THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
The Austrian eyewear brand, founded by mastermind Robert La Roche in 1973 with a focus on artisanal integrity and a keen eye for sophisticated design, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a collection that nods to its past and highlights its incomparable character. La Roche’s eponymous label rose to international acclaim by hitting the zeitgeist of the New Wave era and continued its winning streak with cutting edge creations in the decades to follow. What Helmut Lang was to fashion, Robert La Roche was to eyewear – indelible talents from Austria that would revolutionize their industries worldwide.
TALK ABOUT A VISION
Throughout its five decade existence, Robert La Roche has always been known for impeccable quality. Whether crafted from acetate in Italy or from titanium in Japan, every single step of the process underlies the highest standards to ensure ultimate comfort. Even the hinges and wire cores are custom made. “Whether its an optical or a sun frame, you have to be able to wear it all day. Lightness and comfort are paramount, especially when it comes to bold frames,” underlines general manager, Kamilia Kusz.
Robert La Roche caters to the ones who are individual personalities unafraid to reveal their true selves. In their aesthetic approach, the designers aren’t equally afraid of incongruity. Blending contradictions has always been part of the house’s DNA after all, and just like the greatest style icons of all time, the frames of Robert La Roche are marked by their distinctive character.
Once again, Robert La Roche is celebrating an aesthetic that doesn’t shy away from cleverly chosen dissonances. In collaboration with the Viennese optician and design duo Harry Bader and Harry H., better known under the moniker “Les Deux H”, Robert La Roche has given his creations dramatic depth and complex character. Les Deux H took inspiration from silver screen legends like John Elton, Gina Lollobrigida, Mia Farrow and Cari Zalloni. The collection, handcrafted from high-grade acetate, emphasizes sophistication and versatility, but puts a licentious spin on the timeless pieces.
The brand is also successfully collaboration with award-winning Austrian designer Christoph Rumpf, whose Paris-based menswear label is redefining luxury by preserving materials from the past. Three gallant new acetate frames merge Rumpf’s knack for opulence with Robert La Roche’s commitment to sophistication and wearability. With names like “Storm,” “Hydra” and “Cosmo” the collection alludes to the impenetrable force of the elements and the galaxy. Available in a variety of darker colorways, ranging from rich maroon to midnight blue, these frames make a lasting impression. An especially striking addition is the luminous finish of gold speckles on the sun frame “Hydra” (complete with a matching chain) and the dual frame “Storm.”
Under the creative direction of Kamilia Kusz, the brand’s new line of essentials has received a substantial makeover. The classic collection of incredibly lightweight sun and optical frames, inspired by bestsellers from the last several years, is inherently Italian with soft natural tones and muted colors. The diverse range of shapes, from rounded to rectangular and smaller to oversized frames, guarantees the perfect fit for any type. Newly rounded bezels have been introduced for supreme comfort, making the Essentials Collection the perfect companion for everyday wear.
50 YEARS COLLECTION
Finally, the brand is paying homage to its origins by reviving iconic models from the 80s and 90s, respectively. These bold acetate frames – rounded and oversized vs. narrow and rectangular – come in four striking colorways – black, off-white, red and green – that highlight their seminal shapes and relaunch them for the next era. For the 50th anniversary collection, the brand wanted to touch on the ever-flowing cycle of trends and highlight the fact that truly ingenious design will always come back in style. That’s why utmost craftsmanship has always been the number one priority.
