A New Noise in Fashion
In our ever thoughtful world of sustainable and environmentally friendly products, anybody making anything from wood is on the right road. But is wood fashionable ? Yes.
Wood is the most sustainable product on earth. We have been making things from wood since the dawn of civilisation and we have used wood to make everything from battles ships to buildings, musical instruments, tools, paper and fuel. The list is endless. We have used this wonderful gift of nature to build entire countries. Heart Pine for instance was the wood that ‘built America’ and we commonly refer to wood as the ‘beating heart’ of our universe.
Contrary to some beliefs, cutting down trees is good for the environment. We need to cut down trees as trees are an effective way of storing carbon. Every time a tree is cut, the carbon is stored away, and a new tree, a new carbon hungry tree can be planted. There are now more trees on our planet than there was 35 years ago, so we are using less than we harvest.
But are glasses made from wood any good? And are they fashionable? In short, yes, and they’re about to become even more fashionable as the industry matures. Wearing wooden sunglasses or glasses is not just a statement about being eco friendly, its also a statement about who you are, how you look and how you feel. Wearing plastic, acetate or metal frames gives you a choice of colours and styles, but little more. There is no story about a piece of metal or a piece of plastic or acetate, unless its already been crafted and has become an antique. But there is a huge story around every species of wood. Where does the tree come from, its age characteristics etc. etc. and exactly what that wood species signifies. Ebony for instance signifies courage in men, Garrick Ollivander the wand maker from Harry Potter, claims ‘the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose’. Every wood has a story and can easily be matched to somebodies personality and character.
Most wooden glasses have not, until now, looked particularly elegant because of the slightly rough finishing, but with Campbell Marsons fine finishing and ground breaking techniques, a whole new look has been achieved. Fashion eyewear designed by Campbell Marson give a new meaning to the word individuality. Each and every pair is hand crafted and can be customised in a variety of ways. Not only can you select the wood species, but you can choose how those wood species are combined, how they are finished, right the way through to having your own custom shape created.
Although we are a world of increasingly avid shoppers, we are slowly becoming tired of standard and off the shelve products. It has only been cost and a lack of patience that has prevented most of us from having custom made products. However with 3D printing becoming more popular, so will customisation. Wood of course is not a material that can be made using 3D printing, so wooden glasses will always be a sort after and luxurious fashion accessory.
Like any designer dress, a pair of custom Campbell Marson wooden, designer glasses requires a huge amount of hand finishing. Its’ the finer details that create the look of these glasses and that in turn creates individuality. Wood as a material is always individualistic as no two pieces can ever be the same, so the starting point is very different to any other material or fabric.
So how can you look great in wooden glasses? Well, its simple really, wear your wooden frames with confidence and you will look as great as you feel! However if you need some advice we suggest that you match the wood species to your skin tone and personality. Don’t be afraid to use unusual and strong woods like ‘Purple Heart’ if you’re brave and bold, or a mix of marquetry patterned veneers for that strong dominant personality. There is a huge range of species to choose from, so you’ll easily be able to find something that suits you. And remember, a real wood species is not about staining or dyeing. The colour you get is within the species itself. Purple heart wood for example really is purple. It’s not a piece of acetate or plastic that has been dyed. It’s the real deal.
Nature has a funny way of coming full circle. Some of the most amazing things in the world have been made entirely from wood and continue to be made from wood. But knowing something has been hand crafted just for you, gives you something far more powerful and uplifting than something taken off a shelf.
Campbell Marson wooden, designer glasses are here, and they’re here to stay!
