There is also a running subtext of essentialism that shows RIGARDS’s proclivity for a more streamlined élan, a direction excellently exemplified by this season’s standout look, RG2002TVA.
Created in tandem with Japanese artisanal brand The Viridi-anne, RG2002TVA comprises of a main frame crafted of angled steel bars. Bound together by tension and equilibrium, the bars curve sinuously along an infinity path and converge into a slender sideways figure 8, pulling off a signature play on the two eternal symbols of balance and propitiousness. Despite its lithe spider-like grace, the frame asserts itself with a sculptural fullness brought forth by the nuances of shadows created in the convex/concave undulations.

The clean aesthetic hides robust details: upwardly extending bars (inspired by insect mandibles) that function as stealthy nose pads and creates the illusion of the frame seemingly floating on the wearer’s face; a unique spring-hinged lens cage (a trademark mechanism); and slightly recessed rims that enhance the perception of depth and three-dimensionality. Each pair is oxidized by hand, yielding subtle individual characteristics as the steel takes the patina finish differently from frame to frame.
The frame comes also with a detachable clip-on sun-lens (crafted using flexible beta-titanium), the perfect addition for the brightest days.
The sum of the two parts adds up to a silhouette that calls to mind the simplified representation of human eyes – as is often depicted in Cubist portraits – paying a small homage to modern abstract masters who saw the virtue in less-is-more.
Accompanying accessory: a link eyewear chain, crafted from hand-weathered copper, lets you suspend your sun-clip in the manner of a necklace, ensuring impeccable style and ease of use and preventing misplacement.