Mykita in London:

Mykita is available in London at Michel Guillon, Schuller Opticians, The Eye Cube, 36 Opticians, Seventeen The Opticians, Anthony Austin, Eyediology and Barnard Levit Optometrists amongst other exclusive stockists.

Dear retailer,

As you will have probably heard, we are celebrating our 5th anniversary this year. To mark this happy occasion we published the enclosed book. The book provides an insight into our Berlin production shop, and introduces the reader to the people who make up MYKITA.  It focuses on the aspects of the brand, which set us apart from the rest of the eyewear market: namely our hand-production methods and our design philosophy coupled with our technical know –how.
In a nutshell, „5“ tells the story of the company, outlines its philosophy as well as emotions that drive MYKITA. It will give you,  the right stories to relay to your clients to close a sale.  We think that you are our most important communicator to the end customers!
We have identified word of mouth communication as the most important and most powerful form of communication for MYKITA: Every day we receive many enquiries from people who have heard about our products via friends, family or colleagues, and who are interested in purchasing a pair of glasses.
We suggest you use the display piece provided to prop up the book in a prominent place in your shop, such as the cash desk. The book is for sale, however we recommend using it as gift with purchase.
“5” works as a tool to increase customer loyalty: Your customers will be thrilled to receive a copy as a gift with purchase, and validate their choice when reading it afterwards in the comfort of their own home.
The price of the book is heavily subsidised by MYKITA. It is in all our interests to share its contents with as many people as possible. They, in turn, will share the story with their circle of friends, and spread the MYKITA message.

We hope you enjoy the book.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, good business over the festive period, and a happy New Year,

The MYKITA Team

About Mykita: Mykita UK, Mykita Ireland, Mykita South Africa and Mykita London

The AgenC is now exclusively The United Kingdom, Ireland and Southern African agent for Mykita.
Founded by Jonathan van Blerk, The Agenc is a marketing and distribution agency specialising in unique, high-end eyewear solutions selected and developed  from the finest ranges available anywhere in the world. If you want the best sunglass or optical frames available in the market place then The AgenC is THE only obvious choice.
Please note that we do not work directly with the public so are only available at the best Fashion Boutiques and Independent Opticians in the world for enquiries on stores stocking our ranges please email jonathan@theagenc.co.uk and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as is possible.

Mykita Concept Store

MYKITA was founded 2003 by Harald Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans and Moritz Krueger. What to some may sound like an Asian-style name was in fact inspired by the firm’s first premises – a former day-care centre for children (in East Germany abbreviated to „Kita“).

Mykita Haus
Just a year later, the world was introduced to MYKITA *Collection No.1* – an evolutionary step up in terms of both design and exclusivity. The all-new range of metal frames was unveiled at the Silmo international eyewear fair in the fall of 2004. A highly innovative functional design comprising simple plug connections made complex soldered joints and screw connections redundant, while the frames themselves were cut out of stainless sheet steel before being folded into form. As well as being incredibly light, the latter could be adjusted to the wearer thanks to a wide variety of configuration options. The corrective spectacles andunglasses in the collection ranged from the classically elegant to avantgarde designs in a wide range of frame colours. A frame for every face. Exactly two years later, a new collection was unveiled at the 2006 Silmo. In a marked departure from previous frames, MYKITA *Collection No.2* were made from full-bodied acetate – a material that enjoys a huge tradition in the eyewear industry. What set the new spectacles apart was the hinge – a connecting element that hugs the front and temples in the style of a sheath. The designs are crisp, clear and distinctive and are each related to frames from the metal collection. A carefully selected range of nine distinct colours gives *Collection No.2* a varied but nonetheless homogenous collective look. All frames are hand-made at MYKITA’s own production site in Berlin and are available at over 1,400 high-end opticians and selected department stores across the globe.

These glasses are made with top-quality stainless steel, just 0.5 mm thick, ensuring an ultra-light feel. The actual production of MYKITA eyewear sees every part of the frame cut out of sheet metal and folded into a lightweight but full-bodied format. Linking these is a remarkably elegant and intelligent screw-less hinge design that ensures total flexibility and allows complete, custom-fit adaptability of inclination and frame according to the wearers’ facial proportions. The technical wizardry is coupled with aesthetic clarity and optimum vision to provide a recognisable trademark for MYKITA. To apply most of the colours featured in the collection, MYKITA chose a PVD finish – a state-of-the-art vacuum-heat coating technique that guarantees a non-oxidizing and highly wear-resistant surface. The prescription frames in *Collection No.1* are available in a choice of ten colours, the sunglasses in eight colours. MYKITA collection No. 1 – over 50 styles available in a choice of 10 colours.

The MYKITA design team had for some time been planning to make a collection incorporating a fuller-bodied material, and eventually decided on cellulose acetate. Basically composed of cotton, wood pulp, acetate and pigments, it is a natural material that has a long tradition in the eyewear industry. *Collection No.2* indeed shares a variety of features with the original concept. It features a “snap-hinge” made of 0.8 mm flat sheet metal familiar from the construction principles applied in the first collection. A major new innovation was the use of photomechanical etching technology. The connection point between the hinge and the acetate frame likewise represented a unique challenge for the designers. The fourteen prescription styles and six sunglasses are available in a range of opaque colours, with no lamination.

Eddie Jordan in His Mykita Eyewear

Eddie Jordan in Mykita with his band The Robbers

Murray Walker is to be part of the BBC formula one commentary team next year - but only on the web.

Walker, whose excitable commentary style and on-air bloopers made him synonymous with F1 coverage on television, moved from the BBC to ITV when the commercial broadcaster took over live coverage more than a decade ago.

He retired from live TV commentary on motorsport in September 2001, after the end of that year’s F1 championship, at the age of 77.

Next year live F1 TV coverage returns to the BBC and the corporation said Walker would be a “regular presence” on the BBC Sport website offering his “expert insight” and “passionate perspective” on the sport, as well as interacting with F1 fans online.

Former children’s BBC presenter Jake Humphrey and ex-ITV commentator Martin Brundle will be two of the other key faces of the BBC’s formula one TV coverage, which was unveiled today.

Humphrey, who began his career on CBBC before becoming the youngest presenter of Football Focus, will anchor the coverage alongside former F1 star David Coulthard and ex-grand prix team boss Eddie Jordan.

Commentary will be provided by Brundle and Jonathan Legard, who switches to TV from BBC Radio 5 Live.

Humphrey was also one of the presenters of the BBC’s coverage of the Beijing Olympics and the Euro 2008 football championships earlier this year.

Lee McKenzie and Ted Kravitz will report from the pits.

The BBC’s head of formula one, Niall Sloane, said: “We have put a fantastic team together and are delighted to be able to offer a comprehensive and engaging formula one experience.

“This is an exciting sport and we are very much looking forward to next year.”

Coulthard, who retired from the sport at the end of the 2008 F1 championship earlier this month, said: “After 15 seasons competing in formula one my passion for the sport is still very much alive, and therefore I was delighted to be given the opportunity to share my views and experiences through the BBC’s coverage of F1.

“Many of the BBC team are known to me already, and for those members new to F1 I look forward to building on the established audience of F1 fans in the UK.”

The BBC has a five-year deal to broadcast F1, having taken over the UK TV rights from ITV. The deal, including exclusive rights to TV, radio, broadband and mobile, will run from next year to 2013.

Walker, now 85, returned to F1 for a season in 2006 when he joined BBC Radio 5 Live’s commentary team, contributing special features and interviews over the season.

Recent Sunday Times article on Eddie Jordan and his daughter Zoe Jordan- Wearing Mykita !!

Founded by Jonathan van Blerk, The Agenc is a marketing and distribution agency specialising in unique, high-end eyewear solutions selected and developed  from the finest ranges available anywhere in the world. If you want the best sunglass or optical frames available in the market place then The AgenC is THE only obvious choice.

Mykita is a young Berlin based company catering to the global demand for stylish top-quality eyeglasses. The creative core comprises Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling, two of the eyewear world’s most innovative designers. The duo demonstrate their extraordinary innovatory skills and a precious knack for sophisticated and sensitive styling.

The unique form vocabulary of Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottsching has made the designer duo a hot name in the luxury eyewear sector. Haffman’s trademark style draws heavily on natural sources of inspiration, while Gottschling takes his contouring cues from the latest developments in industrial design, in particular from aerodynamic and automotive styling. What distinguishes this pioneering team’s approach to design is their belief in the compatibility of technical innovation and classic elegance.

Francis by Mykita Eyewear. A powerful classy look.

A blackberry frame made from 0.5mm stainless steel sheet-metal, with a unique tension-based hinge design that functions without screws and the nose pads and temple tips are covered in surgical latex.

The lenses can be made in prescription or non-prescription.

This frame is a medium fit with skull fitting temples. The material is pliable and extremely lightweight for maximum wearing comfort. Mykita frames are virtually indestructible.

Mykita Eyewear is designed and hand-made in Berlin Germany.

This frame comes with an authentic Mykita eyeglass case, a cleaning cloth and cleaning spray.

Enzo by Mykita Eyewear. A powerful bold and powerful look. The new acetate by Mykita Eyewear.

A dark blue acetate frame with a silver and matte black stainless steel unique tension-based hinge design that functions without screws.

The lenses can be made in prescription or non-prescription.

This frame is a Large fit. The material is pliable and extremely lightweight for maximum wearing comfort. Mykita frames are virtually indestructible.

Mykita Eyewear is designed and hand-made in Berlin Germany.

This frame comes with an authentic Mykita eyeglass case, a cleaning cloth and cleaning spray.

Ava Sunglasses by Mykita Eyewear. A classic style sunglass.

A edelweiss line frame made from 0.5mm stainless steel sheet-metal, with a unique tension-based hinge design that functions without screws and the nose pads and temple tips are covered in surgical latex.

This frame comes with gradient gray plastic sunglass lenses with an anti-reflective coating on the backside and UV400 protection and anti-reflective coating on the backside to providing maximum ocular protection from damaging rays. The lenses can be duplicated in most prescription by us or your local optical shop for an addition charge.

This sunglass frame is a extra-large fit with skull fitting temples. The material is pliable and extremely lightweight for maximum wearing comfort. Mykita frames are virtually indestructible.

Mykita Eyewear is designed and hand-made in Berlin Germany.

This sunglass comes with an authentic Mykita eyeglass case, a cleaning cloth and cleaning spray.

The award winning ranges that form an integral part of The AgenC are Mykita from Berlin and Känsla from Uppsala.

PRESS ATTENDANCE

Simon Mills -                 Features writer for Tatler, Sunday Times Style, GQ)

Tracey Blake –              Features writer Daily Mail

Saffron Aldridge –           Editor at Large, Tatler

Jessica Andrews –         Fashion editor Tatler

Emma Forrest –             Fashion writer for City Am –

Andreas Skoulariko        Fashion writer Telegraph Magazine

Fiona Flintott                   Fashion features editor Condenast Traveller

Pamela Willson                         Mayfair Times

Nick Foulkes                 Style writer for GQ

Liz Cocozza                  Fashion Director for Eve Magazine

Alicia Deveney               Deputy Editor – London Magazine

Jane Parbury                 Editor Departures magazine – Amex holders

Mat Smith                     Deputy Editor Arena

Anna Bromilow              Fashion editor, Tatler

Vanessa Miedler            Fashion Writer, Tatler

Jane Taylor Hayhurst      Fashion Writer, Times Magazine

Katie Lester                   Fashion Editor, You Magazine

Martha Ward                 Stylist, Hi Life

Michael Temprano          Instyle Magazine

Celebrities in Mykita Eyewear ( Mykita Glasses & Mykita Sunglasses)

ABOUT MYKITA

MYKITA is a young Berlin-based design team catering to the global demand for stylish, top-quality eyeglasses. The creative core comprises Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling, two of the eyewear world’s most innovative designers. In their capacity as co-founders and creators of a well-known German eyewear brand, the duo demonstrated their extraordinary innovatory skills and a precious knack for sophisticated and sensitive styling. Also involved in the global emergence of the hip designer eyewear brand were Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krueger, whose imaginative branding and distribution strategy ensured a successful basis for marketing the product range.

The four creative minds joined forces in 2004 to create MYKITA. The first fruits of their new venture, the *Collection No.1*, a collection of corrective spectacles has been on sale since October 2004. In October 2006 MYKITA introduced the *Collection No.2*, a luxurious eyewear collection made of the voluminous material acetate.

Since 2004 MYKITA has become an internationally operating company. MYKITA has retailers in about 20 countries, mostly opticians specialized in luxury- and design- eyewear, but also department stores like Barneys New York. MYKITA employs about 40 people in its Head Office in Berlin.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The unique form vocabulary of Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling has made the designer duo a top name in the luxury eyewear world. Haffmans’ trademark style draws heavily on natural sources of inspiration. Gottschling takes his contouring cues from the latest developments in industrial design. His fascination for technical mechanics and the aerodynamic design of aircrafts and cars are the major inspiration for his creative work.

A peculiar feature in the design approach of Harald Gottschling and Philipp Haffmans is to search for elegance and beauty within technical solutions.

Both designers boast exceptional technical expertise fuelled by a visionary approach. Their vast experience in the world of design allows them to bring new concepts and designs to MYKITA and lays the groundwork for MYKITA’s worldwide success in the luxury eyewear market.

THE PRODUCT

*Collection No.1*

These glasses are made with best-quality stainless steel, just 0.5 mm thick, ensuring an ultra-light feel. The actual production of MYKITA eyewear sees every part of the frame cut out of sheet metal and folded into a lightweight but full-bodied format. Linking these is a remarkably elegant and intelligent screw-less hinge design that ensures total flexibility and allows complete adaptability to any feature, the adjustment of the inclination to perfectly custom fit the frames to the wearers’ facial proportions. This technical solution is also characterised by its aesthetic clarity and visibility, becoming a recognizable trademark for MYKITA.

To apply most of the colours featured in the collection, MYKITA chose a PVDfinish – a state-of-the-art vacuum-heat coating technique that guarantees a non-oxidizing and highly wear-resistant surface. The prescription frames of the *Collection No.1* are available in a choice of seven colours, the sunglasses in five colours. Each frame is handmade in the MYKITA workshop in Berlin.

*Collection No.2*

For quite some time, MYKITA´s designers Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling have planned to make a collection made of voluminous material. To realise this project, they chose acetate. Basically composed of cotton, wood, acetate and pigments, it is a natural material that has a long tradition in the eyewear industry. After 10 years of experience with sheet-metal concepts, that only allow the creation of voluminous forms to a certain degree, MYKITA`s acetate project opens a new horizon for the designers: Working 3 dimensionally, like a sculptor.

It has been very clear to Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling that they ultimately follow their design and construction principals. In various aspects, the *Collection No.2* is related to their initial concept. It features a „snap-hinge“, made of 0.8 mm flat sheet metal that relates to the construction principals applied in the first collection. In various aspects the concept is remarkably innovative. A major point is the use of the photomechanical etching-technology. The connection point between the hinge and the acetate frame, has been a challenge for the designers. Regarding classic hinge solutions on acetate frames, they never liked the fact, that as soon as the temples are folded in, a large gap between temple and front opens up. The *Collection No.2* offers an answer to this aesthetic problem.

The 6 prescription styles and 6 sunglasses are available in a choice of single opaque colours, no laminations. The colours are: black, brown, warm grey, cool grey, dark blue, olive, bordeaux, red, white.

Both collections feature a high standard of workmanship. They feature sophisticated design and a cutting-edge technical concept.

PROFILES

HARALD GOTTSCHLING – Design

Harald Gottschling was born in 1968 in Oldenburg, Germany. From 1986 he was trained as a mechanist in the metalworking industry. In 1989 Harald went back to college to obtain a degree in Design and moved to Berlin in 1992 to study Industrial Design at the University of Fine Arts (UDK). In 1997 Harald obtained his masters in Industrial Design. Whilst taking part in a design contest at the University Harald became interested in eyewear design.

Together with his fellow student Philipp Haffmans he developed a novel concept for an eyeglass hinge and subsequently founded ic!berlin with Philipp Haffmans and other associates in 1996. The extraordinary concept of the collection, which was presented for the first time in 1997, revolutionised the eyewear market. In 2003 he left ic!berlin. Together with Philipp Haffmans,Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krüger he founded MYKITA in 2004.

Harald has a passion for aeroplanes and cars designed in the 1960’s.

PHILIPP HAFFMANS - Design

Philipp Haffmans was born in 1968 in Bonn, Germany. In his childhood he spent 3 years in Burkina Faso, West Africa. In 1990 he moved to Munich for an internship at the German Museum (Deutsches Museum) and began to study Industrial Design at the University of Fine Arts (UDK) in Berlin in 1992. While at University he went to Bilbao, Spain for one year and studied at the local Faculty of fine arts (UPV/EHU). In 2002 Philipp obtained his masters in Industrial Design.

In 1994 he came across the subject of eyewear design for the first time while taking part in a design competition. Together with his fellow student Harald Gottschling he developed a spring-hinge concept for optical frames and sunglasses. To introduce their new product to the market they founded ic!berlin in 1996. The design and concept of the initial collection, presented for the first time to an international audience in 1997, caused a sensation in the international eyewear market.

In 2003 he left ic!berlin and subsequently founded MYKITA in 2004, together with Harald Gottschling, his brother Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krueger.

Philipp has the dream that one day he will travel around the world in a hydroplane. Until then he spends his spare time travelling, collecting old racing bikes and driving fancy sport cars.

DANIEL HAFFMANS - Manager

Born in Achern, Germany in 1971. He spent a period of his early childhood in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Following the completion of his A-Levels and Civil Service he began in 1991 his Masters in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin (TU). From 1994 until 1995 he took up a scholarship at the Politecnico in Milan and completed his studies by obtaining his Masters in the year 2000.

On his return from Italy, Daniel, together with two fellow students, set up a multimedia agency called PANIMAGE, which is later renamed unit-berlin. The aim of unit-berlin was to develop integrated concepts for companies and then to implement them into a wide spectrum of media uses. Whilst working with unit-berlin he developed the whole corporate identity and communication strategy for ic! berlin and was also significantly involved with the implementation of these strategies. In January 2003 Daniel left unit-berlin to become a full-time member of staff, with his main client, ic! berlin. In August of the same year, he left ic! berlin and then in 2004 founded MYKITA, together with Harald Gottschling, his brother Phillip Haffmans and Moritz Krueger, where he acts as co-managing director.

Daniel is passionate about anything technical and is always up to date with the latest gadgets.

MORITZ KRUEGER - Manager

Born in Oldenburg, Germany in 1979. After finishing his Civil Service in the Berlin Zoologischer Garten shelter for homeless people Moritz began his studies in Media- and Political Science at the University of Potsdam. While studying he began to work for the eyewear company ic! berlin in July 2001. Starting as a student apprentice he then took up a new role as sales coordinator in October 2001, due to his convincing work ethic and personality.He then ended his studies to pursue a fulltime career and to concentrate on his work with ic! berlin. As well as his sales work he became involved with public relations work and was also responsible for the marketing of the company. In January 2003 he took over the role of sales manager. With his vision and his ability to assert himself he paved the way for ic! berlin to make their first steps into the world of fashion. Under his direction the company opened over twenty very important fashion accounts worldwide.

End of 2003 he left ic! berlin and in 2004 formed MYKITA together with Harald Gottschling, Phillip and Daniel Haffmans, where he acts as co-managing director.

Moritz’s dream is to one day own a football club.

MYKITA ACETATE
The first precious pieces of MYKITA Acetate collection No.2* have arrived last month ,The all-new hinge concept of the plastic line is equipped to win yet another row of design awards .
It’s a bold statement towards the essence of Mykita - the passion for continuous innovation.it was so exiting to receive it that we didn’t had time to let you know … sorry for that !

After one and a half years of research, we are proud to present a brand new snap hinge,” say Haffmans and Gottschling. “We managed to create a rotating axis by etching the material down to half of its thickness on both parts of the hinge. Regarding classic hinge solutions on acetate frames, we disliked the fact that as soon as the temples are folded in, a large gap between the temple and frame opens up. This collection offers an answer to this aesthetic problem.”

Celebrity Sighting - Jason Statham and Mykita Rolf Sunglasses

In this recent photo, he is seen wearing a newer model by Mykita called “Rolf”.  Rolf is different from a typical aviator frame in that the top inside part of the lenses near the bridge have been angled downwards, giving it a dash of sleeze.  This seems to work with Jason.

Theagenc

Seventeen The Opticians Celebrity Couch Paul Frank

Seventeen The Opticians carry Mykita Sunglasses

Schullers Opticians in St Johns Wood owner Baruch Schuller

Schuller Opticians carry Mykita Sunglasses

Rose Opticians Totnes

Rose Opticians in Exeter carry Mykita Sunglasses

RoseOpticiansTotnes

Rose Opticians in Totness carry Mykita Sunglasses

Mykita Sophia- influenced by Sophia Loren

Mykita Sophia with Photochromatic lenses from Mykita’s Metropolitan Collection

Michel Guillon Mykita Display

Michel Guillon Mykita window display in Chelsea, London
Celebrities in Mykita Eyewear ( Mykita Glasses & Mykita Sunglasses)
We can find any shape with an amazing selection of colours and lens options..
Celebrities wearing Mykita Sunglasses

Billy Zane in Mykita Eyewear with Kelly Brook

Bill Zane in Mykita Eyewear (Mykita Optical Frames) with Kelly Brook

Kevin Wall in Mykita Eyewear

Kevin Wall in Mykita Eyewear

Hugh Grant in Mykita Sunglasses

Hugh Grant in Mykita Sunglasse, Christian Slater in Mykita Sunglasses

Bruce Willis in Mykita Sunglasses and Kevin Wall in Mykita Eyewear

Bruce Willis in Mykita Sunglasses and Kevin Wall in Mykita Eyewear

Rhys Ifans in Mykita Sunglasses with Sienna Miller

Rhys Ifans in Mykita Sunglasses with Sienna Miller

Tom Cruise wearing Mykita Sunglasses in The Financial Times

Tom Cruise in Mykita Sunglasses

Brad Pitt in Mykita Sunglasses with Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt in Mykita Sunglasses with Angelina Jolie

Christian Slater in Mykita Sunglasses,Hugh Grant in Mykita Sunglasses,Tom Cruise in Mykita Sunglasses

Tom Cruise in Mykita Sunglasses, Christian Slater in Mykita Sunglasses, Hugh Grant in Mykita Sunglasses

Angelina Jolie in Mykita Sunglasses with Brad Pitt and Maddox

Angelina Jolie in Mykita Sunglasses with Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt in Mykita Sunglasses

Brangelina in Mykita Sunglasses

Tom Cruise in Mykita Sunglasses

Tom Cruise in Mykita Sunglasses

Jason Statham in Mykita Sunglasses

Jason Statham in Mykita Sunglasses

Celebrities in Mykita Sunglasses from The AgenC UK, Ireland, South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius and Namibia
Mallon + Taub Opticians for Mykita in London, UK
35D Marylebone High Street, Marylebone
London, W1U 4QB

Mykita London, UK

Style statement

The enthusiastic response from designer frame suppliers at the opening of the Mallon & Taub practice on Marylebone High Street was a seal of approval to the style and ambience of the new venture.
The wide shop premises, next to the BBC, had been a Japanese furnishing store before optometrists Joan Mallon and Shanah Taub carried out the refurbishment for their boutique-style practice late last year.

The finished result is something of a minimalist temple to style, with its grey slate floor, dark wooden cabinets, white walls and floral displays.
The two practitioners met eight years ago when working together in London, and had the aim of eventually opening their own business.

Their search for premises took in the West End, and they had been interested in the Marylebone area in particular for a number of years.
When they secured the shop premises, the refit took some six weeks, including the removal of a suspended ceiling, the creation of a new back wall with inset display space and the laying of the slate floor. The large slabs were imported from Belgium, and carry though the ground floor to the consulting room, bathroom and storeroom.
As both optometrists had experience of working as locums in recent years, being crammed into small consulting rooms, they insisted on a spacious test room, with the only compromise being a smaller storeroom.
The main practice furniture is a wall of American walnut onto which rows of small backlit frame-display boxes are set, interspersed with mirrors. Designer Huw Davies, was inspired by the Victorian way of displaying butterflies.
‘It’s the first opticians I’ve ever done and I have always thought that frames get lost when they are stacked together on shelves. You cannot really see them.’
His aim was therefore not to have too many frames on display. ‘By putting them as individual objects in little cases they look more special,’ he says.
The display boxes certainly give the eyewear a jewellery-like feel and it is not surprising to find out that Davies already has experience of fitting out a jewellery store. The same display boxes are used in the practice front, with a row set on top of industrial-looking metal pipes on one side, and suspended from the ceiling on the other.

contrasting finishes
The smooth finish of the walnut units and reception desk contrasts with the rough, un-skimmed white-painted walls on either side. ‘We wanted a contrast with industrial-looking walls and industrial shutters, for an earthy, raw feel. We didn’t want it to be totally sleek,’ says Mallon.
This point is backed up by Davies who explains that the design aim for the practice was to look contemporary without being intimidating.
Fresh flowers on a weekly basis add to the relaxed feel of the practice, which has an open, uncluttered look. They also give more warmth to the premises which have quite a high ceiling. A low cabinet across from the main display area is attached to the wall and, without legs, gives the impression of being suspended, creating the illusion of more space.
While the cabinets are all hand-made, the floor was the next biggest investment in the practice refit and the only aspect of the design that resulted in any debate. They had thought about using highly polished concrete, but decided that would have been too cold, so slate was sourced instead.
So pleased are the partners with the slate that they have bought Philippe Starck ‘Ghost’ chairs, that are see-through and do not obstruct the view.
Mallon and Taub admit they always wanted to get more into the fashion side of optics and point out that having their own practice means that they can have any frame they want. The practice even has its own occasional fashion stylist in Jon Michael Harrison, who explains that the more unusual the frame, the better it sells, for example brightly coloured acetates of Alain Mikli.
As befits the store design, the frames and sunglasses on display are suitably impressive, from Mykita to Andy Wolf, Alain Mikli to Face ˆ Face. There are even some vintage styles collected by the founders in recent years when they were planning to open the practice, augmented with some Cutler & Gross vintage designs.
‘We wanted to create a boutique where we would have fun dressing eyes and it has paid off getting in all the different product,’ adds Taub.
Another attractive feature of the practice is that none of the frames and sunglasses is locked away, thanks to the security tagging system, which enables customers to browse without having to ask for a cabinet to be unlocked.
The practice has already been frequented by BBC stylists and presenters who, along with other visitors, have welcomed the trendy frame selection, the user-friendly design and the relaxed atmosphere.

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Kansla Jewellery, Kansla Jewelry, Kansla Accesories, Kansla London, Kansla UK, Kansla

University Vision in London- Mykita Glasses & Mykita Sunglasses

University Vision
1d Copthall Avenue, City,  London,  EC2R 7BH

Neil Hershmann Opticians Mykita Window

Mykita Sunglasses,Mykita Eyewear,Mykita Frames,Mykita Optical Frames,Mykita
Mykita Store Berlin
Mykita Sunglasses United Kingdom,Mykita Sunglasses London” “Mykita Eyewear UK” “Mykita Frames UK” “Mykita Optical Frames UK” “Mykita London” “The AgenC” “Mykita Sunglasses UK” “Mykita Sunglasses London” “Mykita Eyewear London” “Mykita Frames London” “Mykita Optical Frames London” “Mykita uk”

MYKITA GmbH

* http://www.mykita.com
* j.vanblerk@mykita.com

MYKITA is a young Berlin-based company catering to the global demand for stylish, top-quality eyeglasses. The creative core comprises Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling, two of the eyewear world’s most innovative designers. In their capacity as co-founders and creators of a well-known German eyewear brand, the duo demonstrated their extraordinary innovatory skills and a precious knack for sophisticated and sensitive styling. Also involved in the global emergence of the hip designer eyewear brand were Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krueger, whose imaginative branding and distribution strategy ensured a successful basis for marketing the product range.

The four creative minds joined forces in October 2004 to create MYKITA. The first fruits of their new venture, the *Collection No.1* range of corrective spectacles, have since won the prestigious IF Design Award and the red dot product design award 2007. Meanwhile, October 2006 saw the unveiling of *Collection No.2*, a new luxury product line featuring fuller-bodied frames made of acetate.

MYKITA has become a company of truly international dimensions since its creation in 2004. It has retailers in about 20 countries - most of them opticians specialising in luxury and designer eyewear, but also including designer department stores such as Barneys New York. MYKITA currently employs around 60 people at its base of operations in Berlin.

MYKITA GmbH
Brunnenstr. 153
10115 Berlin
Germany

Phone:  +49 30 20 45 66 45
Fax: +49 30 20 45 66 44

Booth number: Sheikh Rashid Hall, A 94

Products and services:
Collection No.1 These glasses are made with top-quality stainless steel, just 0.5 mm thick, ensuring an ultra-light feel. The actual production of MYKITA eyewear sees every part of the frame cut out of sheet metal and folded into a lightweight but full-bodied format. Linking these is a remarkably elegant and intelligent screw-less hinge design that ensures total flexibility and allows complete, custom-fit adaptability of inclination and frame according to the wearers’ facial proportions. The technical wizardry is coupled with aesthetic clarity and optimum vision to provide a recognisable trademark for MYKITA. To apply most of the colours featured in the collection, MYKITA chose a PVD finish - a state-of-the-art vacuum-heat coating technique that guarantees a non-oxidizing and highly wear-resistant surface. The prescription frames in *Collection No.1* are available in a choice of ten colours, the sunglasses in eight colours. Each frame is handmade at the MYKITA workshop in Berlin. Collection No.2 indeed shares a variety of features with the original concept. It features a “snap-hinge” made of 0.8 mm flat sheet metal familiar from the construction principals applied in the first collection. A major new innovation was the use of photomechanical etching technology. The connection point between the hinge and the acetate frame likewise represented a unique challenge for the designers

Mykita in The City mykita in london store

ABOUT MYKITA

MYKITA is a young Berlin-based design team catering to the global demand for stylish, top-quality eyeglasses. The creative core comprises Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling, two of the eyewear world’s most innovative designers. In their capacity as co-founders and creators of a well-known German eyewear brand, the duo demonstrated their extraordinary innovatory skills and a precious knack for sophisticated and sensitive styling. Also involved in the global emergence of the hip designer eyewear brand were Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krueger, whose imaginative branding and distribution strategy ensured a successful basis for marketing the product range.

The four creative minds joined forces in 2004 to create MYKITA. The first fruits of their new venture, the *Collection No.1*, a collection of corrective spectacles has been on sale since October 2004. In October 2006 MYKITA introduced the *Collection No.2*, a luxurious eyewear collection made of the voluminous material acetate.

Since 2004 MYKITA has become an internationally operating company. MYKITA has retailers in about 20 countries, mostly opticians specialized in luxury- and design- eyewear, but also department stores like Barneys New York. MYKITA employs about 40 people in its Head Office in Berlin.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The unique form vocabulary of Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling has made the designer duo a top name in the luxury eyewear world. Haffmans’ trademark style draws heavily on natural sources of inspiration. Gottschling takes his contouring cues from the latest developments in industrial design. His fascination for technical mechanics and the aerodynamic design of aircrafts and cars are the major inspiration for his creative work.

A peculiar feature in the design approach of Harald Gottschling and Philipp Haffmans is to search for elegance and beauty within technical solutions.

Both designers boast exceptional technical expertise fuelled by a visionary approach. Their vast experience in the world of design allows them to bring new concepts and designs to MYKITA and lays the groundwork for MYKITA’s worldwide success in the luxury eyewear market.

THE PRODUCT

*Collection No.1*

These glasses are made with best-quality stainless steel, just 0.5 mm thick, ensuring an ultra-light feel. The actual production of MYKITA eyewear sees every part of the frame cut out of sheet metal and folded into a lightweight but full-bodied format. Linking these is a remarkably elegant and intelligent screw-less hinge design that ensures total flexibility and allows complete adaptability to any feature, the adjustment of the inclination to perfectly custom fit the frames to the wearers’ facial proportions. This technical solution is also characterised by its aesthetic clarity and visibility, becoming a recognizable trademark for MYKITA.

To apply most of the colours featured in the collection, MYKITA chose a PVDfinish – a state-of-the-art vacuum-heat coating technique that guarantees a non-oxidizing and highly wear-resistant surface. The prescription frames of the *Collection No.1* are available in a choice of seven colours, the sunglasses in five colours. Each frame is handmade in the MYKITA workshop in Berlin.

*Collection No.2*

For quite some time, MYKITA´s designers Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling have planned to make a collection made of voluminous material. To realise this project, they chose acetate. Basically composed of cotton, wood, acetate and pigments, it is a natural material that has a long tradition in the eyewear industry. After 10 years of experience with sheet-metal concepts, that only allow the creation of voluminous forms to a certain degree, MYKITA`s acetate project opens a new horizon for the designers: Working 3 dimensionally, like a sculptor.

It has been very clear to Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling that they ultimately follow their design and construction principals. In various aspects, the *Collection No.2* is related to their initial concept. It features a „snap-hinge“, made of 0.8 mm flat sheet metal that relates to the construction principals applied in the first collection. In various aspects the concept is remarkably innovative. A major point is the use of the photomechanical etching-technology. The connection point between the hinge and the acetate frame, has been a challenge for the designers. Regarding classic hinge solutions on acetate frames, they never liked the fact, that as soon as the temples are folded in, a large gap between temple and front opens up. The *Collection No.2* offers an answer to this aesthetic problem.

The 6 prescription styles and 6 sunglasses are available in a choice of single opaque colours, no laminations. The colours are: black, brown, warm grey, cool grey, dark blue, olive, bordeaux, red, white.

Both collections feature a high standard of workmanship. They feature sophisticated design and a cutting-edge technical concept.

PROFILES

HARALD GOTTSCHLING – Design

Harald Gottschling was born in 1968 in Oldenburg, Germany. From 1986 he was trained as a mechanist in the metalworking industry. In 1989 Harald went back to college to obtain a degree in Design and moved to Berlin in 1992 to study Industrial Design at the University of Fine Arts (UDK). In 1997 Harald obtained his masters in Industrial Design. Whilst taking part in a design contest at the University Harald became interested in eyewear design.

Together with his fellow student Philipp Haffmans he developed a novel concept for an eyeglass hinge and subsequently founded ic!berlin with Philipp Haffmans and other associates in 1996. The extraordinary concept of the collection, which was presented for the first time in 1997, revolutionised the eyewear market. In 2003 he left ic!berlin. Together with Philipp Haffmans,Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krüger he founded MYKITA in 2004.

Harald has a passion for aeroplanes and cars designed in the 1960’s.

PHILIPP HAFFMANS - Design

Philipp Haffmans was born in 1968 in Bonn, Germany. In his childhood he spent 3 years in Burkina Faso, West Africa. In 1990 he moved to Munich for an internship at the German Museum (Deutsches Museum) and began to study Industrial Design at the University of Fine Arts (UDK) in Berlin in 1992. While at University he went to Bilbao, Spain for one year and studied at the local Faculty of fine arts (UPV/EHU). In 2002 Philipp obtained his masters in Industrial Design.

In 1994 he came across the subject of eyewear design for the first time while taking part in a design competition. Together with his fellow student Harald Gottschling he developed a spring-hinge concept for optical frames and sunglasses. To introduce their new product to the market they founded ic!berlin in 1996. The design and concept of the initial collection, presented for the first time to an international audience in 1997, caused a sensation in the international eyewear market.

In 2003 he left ic!berlin and subsequently founded MYKITA in 2004, together with Harald Gottschling, his brother Daniel Haffmans and Moritz Krueger.

Philipp has the dream that one day he will travel around the world in a hydroplane. Until then he spends his spare time travelling, collecting old racing bikes and driving fancy sport cars.

DANIEL HAFFMANS - Manager

Born in Achern, Germany in 1971. He spent a period of his early childhood in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Following the completion of his A-Levels and Civil Service he began in 1991 his Masters in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin (TU). From 1994 until 1995 he took up a scholarship at the Politecnico in Milan and completed his studies by obtaining his Masters in the year 2000.

On his return from Italy, Daniel, together with two fellow students, set up a multimedia agency called PANIMAGE, which is later renamed unit-berlin.  The aim of unit-berlin was to develop integrated concepts for companies and then to implement them into a wide spectrum of media uses. Whilst working with unit-berlin he developed the whole corporate identity and communication strategy for ic! berlin and was also significantly involved with the implementation of these strategies. In January 2003 Daniel left unit-berlin to become a full-time member of staff, with his main client, ic! berlin. In August of the same year, he left ic! berlin and then in 2004 founded MYKITA, together with Harald Gottschling, his brother Phillip Haffmans and Moritz Krueger, where he acts as co-managing director.

Daniel is passionate about anything technical and is always up to date with the latest gadgets.

MORITZ KRUEGER - Manager

Born in Oldenburg, Germany in 1979. After finishing his Civil Service in the Berlin Zoologischer Garten shelter for homeless people Moritz began his studies in Media- and Political Science at the University of Potsdam. While studying he began to work for the eyewear company ic! berlin in July 2001. Starting as a student apprentice he then took up a new role as sales coordinator in October 2001, due to his convincing work ethic and personality.He then ended his studies to pursue a fulltime career and to concentrate on his work with ic! berlin. As well as his sales work he became involved with public relations work and was also responsible for the marketing of the company.  In January 2003 he took over the role of sales manager. With his vision and his ability to assert himself he paved the way for ic! berlin to make their first steps into the world of fashion. Under his direction the company opened over twenty very important fashion accounts worldwide.

End of 2003 he left ic! berlin  and in 2004 formed MYKITA together with Harald Gottschling, Phillip and Daniel Haffmans, where he acts as co-managing director.

Moritz’s dream is to one day own a football club.

MYKITA ACETATE
The first precious pieces of MYKITA Acetate collection No.2* have arrived  last month ,The all-new hinge concept of the plastic line is equipped to win yet another row of design awards .
It’s a bold statement towards the essence of Mykita - the passion for continuous innovation.

it was so exiting to receive it that we didn’t had time to let you know … sorry for that !

After one and a half years of research, we are proud to present a brand new snap hinge,” say Haffmans and Gottschling. “We managed to create a rotating axis by etching the material down to half of its thickness on both parts of the hinge. Regarding classic hinge solutions on acetate frames, we disliked the fact that as soon as the temples are folded in, a large gap between the temple and frame opens up. This collection offers an answer to this aesthetic problem.”

Mykita is available at The Crawford Street Opticians in London W1.

Crawford Street Opticians

37 Wyndham Place,
LONDON, W1H 1PN

Crawford Street Opticians for Mykita

KÄNSLA, pronounced “shans-la”, is the “feel of Sweden” given to you through our original, unique, functional jewelry.  Reflecting the natural harmony of this Nordic country, KÄNSLA of Sweden combines the practicality for which Sweden is known with the beauty of pearls, semi-precious stones and crystal.

Our FASHION with FUNCTION jewelry is specially designed to be strong and durable, yet stylish and elegant. Every piece of KÄNSLA Functional Jewelry is versatile: attach it directly to your eyeglass frames… or wear it with the ring to hold your glasses, your mobile phone, your keys, your MP3 player, your ID badge… or simply wear it as a beautiful necklace!

One necklace… many functions!

Beautiful, Unique, Individual - It’s you!

It’s  KÄNSLA of Sweden.

KÄNSLA of Sweden is a family owned and run company, headquartered in central Sweden, 70 kilometers north of Stockholm.

The founders of the company, Petra Thulin and Lisa Angerstig, custom design KÄNSLA of Sweden’s jewelry at our primary studios in Uppsala. We carefully create our products with only the highest quality select components imported from North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Pearls, crystal, glass, and semi-precious stones are among the beautiful components we use. All our jewellery is tested 100% nickel-free, and each necklace is individually hand-made.

Before a new design earns the distinctive KÄNSLA logo, it is first rigorously tested to destruction in our human factors laboratory to ensure the strongest, most durable line of fashionable… yet functional… jewelry in the world.

KÄNSLA of Sweden’s FASHION with FUNCTION jewelry gives Retailers the opportunity to provide a unique, high-demand, versatile fashion accessory to their customers. Our FASHION with FUNCTION jewelry is specially designed to be strong and durable, yet stylish and elegant.

We offer a 1-year guarantee to Retailers against breakage or damage. At KÄNSLA of Sweden, our customer’s satisfaction is our #1 priority.

KÄNSLA  sells direct to Retailers globally. Retailers, please email us at retailer@kansla.se to view our full product lines with wholesale information for our functional jewlery.

View KÄNSLA of Sweden’s valued List of Retailers.

Seventeen The Opticians are a boutique optician (optical practice) based in Esher, Surrey, UK and run by resident optometrist Dharmen Soneji and dispensing optician Hema Soneji. They carry an extensive range of all the Mykita Collections as well asKansla of Sweden jewellery  and accessories.