Disappearing nosepads from James van Vossel and Theo

Nosepads on metal frames can sometimes appear too noticeable a part of the finished product. For something so functional to interfere with the form and fit of the glasses is a little annoying for a frame designer.

James van Vossel has suggested a solution in his latest collaboration with Theo, by freeing the lens from the frame where it edges the nose, but continuing the frame back toward the face to provide integral nosepads with no need for the winding stems that are usually the host to a silicon pad.

The result: a quirky looking frame with a corner 'missing' that I am intrigued to try on!

Limited-edition Beth frames from Mykita, by Beth Ditto

Mykita has teamed up with Beth Ditto to produce this exquisite limited-edition frame, "Beth". It comes in purple and white versions with violet gradient lenses. There are 100 frames in purple, and the white one, ditto.

Mykita's Johann panto glasses - a 1930s frame, 80 years on

This terrific off-white frame from Mykita is reminiscent of the 1930s but with that clever hinge and ultra-thin stainless steel it is brought bang up to date. Part of Mykita's Decades collection, it is also available in chocolate and black.

Derapage Eyewear: watch glasses assembly close-up - no hands!

Found another glasses blog today, Optical Ruminations by Jules Clarke, and his most recent post features this video of the Tornado, by Derapage Eyewear, an Italian collection. All made from chemically cut surgical grade stainless steel:

Monoqool - Danish eyewear with helter-skelter hinges

How's that for a hinge? Monoqool are a new glasses company, combining Japanese craftsmanship and technology with Danish design. It's a pretty unusual hinge, but I like it for its simplicity.

Welcome Monoqool, I'm sure we'll be hearing more on them in future.

Top is the Belle, the Helix hinge is 1.0mm stainless steel, which joins with a 0.6mm stainless steel front. And beneath that, the Lemur, made from 0.6mm beta-titanium.