It takes two mind-and-body oriented designers to solve a sporting eyewear 'problem'. Max Vallot (ex-Saint Laurent) and Tom Daly (ex-Acne) are the brainy, elegant men behind District Vision, a new Tribeca-based eyewear studio. Their biggest motivation was to reconcile wellness, active lifestyles, high tech and fashion – something they've successfully done with the Keichii performance sunglasses. The model – their very first – has been an instant hit at the brand's illustrious stockists, which include Dover Street Market, Colette, and The Webster, among others.
The secret: behind a minimal, almost simplistic design is some haut-performance engineering – though you'll have to test them to fully assess the comfort value added to your workout. Developed over two years in Japan, the models are featherweight (23g), comprising a beta titanium core with a sweat resistant coating, and featuring killer details like adjustable tips to hold them firmly in place behind your ears and discrete anti-sliding pads on the nose.
Three shatterproof polycarbonate lenses will suit any outdoor situation: 'Sports Yellow' is a high light transmission lens, perfect for brightening early mornings or dusky evenings; 'Water Gray' is a polarising lens devised for aquatic pursuits (factoring a liquid resistant oleophobic coating); while 'Sky G15' will sun-proof mid-day tennis matches by only allowing 15 per cent of light to permeate your vision.
The superlative build quality doesn't end there: even a handwoven strap, crafted in a Japanese kimono factory, feels precious to the touch.
Balancing aesthetics with practicality and comfort, the minimalist design discreetly conceals a wealth of high-end engineering
Developed over a two year period in Japan, the featherweight models weigh in at just 23g...
... and include ingenious elements like polycarbonate shatterproof lenses and tight-gripping, adjustable ear tips for strenuous sports sessions
The Dover Street Market installation (pictured here) is already in place in NY, and is to be launched on 15 January in London
INFORMATION
District Vision glasses, from $299. For more information, visit District Vision’s website (opens in new tab)
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