Andy Wolf

Exquisite panto designs provided a sensation in the forties of the last century. As a sign of prosperity, zeitgeist, creativity and intellect, this spectacles design was worn by many prominent people of this era.

This inspiration was used by the Austrian Designers Team Andy Wolf for their first collection.

All of them are perfectionists and are committed to making the best eyewear on the market. The mission of them is to design a high quality collection “Made in Austria with a fashionable touch for expressive individuals.

Andy Wolf ´s premiere collection which is retro-inspired was presented at the International Trade Show of Optics Silmo 2006 in Paris. The new designer collection is striking through its above average high-quality finish and attention to details.

Hinges near the earpieces are affectionately anchored with rivets which are a guarantee for high quality. In former times a normal standard before mass production starts.
Andy Wolf is celebrating a revival in the long-forgotten ornate key nosepiece which ensures an extraordinarily good fit on the nose.

Andy Wolf uses formal elements of historical spectacles designs to catch the flair of “good old times” and unite this style with a portion of modern design.

What is real?

Why is everyone aound us suddenly looking for something real? What – if anything – does that mean for eyewear? And how bllsy does one have to be in order to find out? We have gathered some of the possible answers.

Think global, act local. True, more than ever.

ANDY WOLF manufactures its frames in the small Styrian town of Hartberg. Chances are, you‘ve never heard of the place. Suits us very well, since it gives us the time to engage in what we like best – producing eyewear, away from it all.

Relax, it‘s the real thing

Here we are again, looking fot that special mix of sense and sensibilty. Producing handmade eyewear In a small manufactory. Which led us to choosing „Eyewear, Handmade“ as our corporate mission and claim. Without exaggerating – which we regard as a rare feature in mission statements. So, if clients return for another pair of ANDY WOLF glasses, it‘s because they want another one – not because the old one‘s in the bobo.

For good or ill, musicians and authors also seem to be making their money live, on-stage. Real music, real people and real eyewear seem to go along very well. 

Looking for the rare

Genuine, authentic products aren‘t made, they grow over time. At ANDY WOLF, we respect time, and keep the output low. In order to concentrate on the clients and partners we have. A fact that is respected worldwide.

Once upon a time

That‘s how fairy tales start. Only in our case, the leading parts weren‘t blond princes, but two men, sharing an enthusiasm for eyewear.

Not only did they supply the new brand with their first names, they also came to beleive that, amidst all of the large fashion companies and countless low-budgets firms, there is a place for handmade eyewear with excellence in every detail.

Joining the ranks – as in every good fairy tale – were a few companions. Incidently, most of them came from some of the industries Goliaths. Which seems to prove another point we‘d like to make – small is beautiful.

Hartberg to Buenos Aires to Cape Town to London – just an idea away

You can find ANDY WOLF in Osaka. Or in Brighton. Or Hamburg. We guess you get the point. It looks as if ANDY WOLF is successful wherever small, independent opticians treat their clients to special services and exceptional frames. Such as ANDY WOLF.

A piece of jewellery? A watch? It doesn‘t make any difference

It‘s tough to stick out in a world of interchangeable products. ANDY WOLF has chosen to do so by investing more than usual in creating styles, picking the right materials and

meticulously handling them in a complex manufacturig process resulting in timeless products.

At ANDY WOLF, we call that the combination of style and stylish.

Touch me, feel me …

The usual procedure: drawing, approval of the drawing, fabrication.

The procedure, as we prefer it: drawing, transformation into a fully functional prototype, followed by minor changes where necessary, and when everything looks perfect to us, the frames are produced.

Why we go through all of this? Let‘s put it that way: would you rather fall in love with a CAD drawing, or do you prefer dating flesh and blood?

Is there a price of love?

Good question. Love for detail has a price tag. At ANDY WOLF, we extend the processing of our raw materials from 4 to 6 days, thus creating perfect surfaces and the outstandong shine of out products.

Beyond that, the acetate panels – basis of all ANDY WOLF models – are sublitted to an artificial ageing process, removing the greater part of diluents from the materials. Which results in far greater stability of the frames, since they contract less and apply less strain to the glasses.

2 Collections every, based on the same idea. Basically.

We‘re the new kids on the block. So, nobody knows what ANDY WOLF would have looked like 5 years ago. It might seem peculiar for some of our clients, that have accustomed with our way of doing things. Which is just another way of saying – we‘ve grown fond of each other.

The love of a product

It‘s as easy as that. That‘s why we call our TASTE collection a family of products. Because it seems the right way to describe it. Different facings, same genes. Like a real family. consisting of 33 models in 4 different colors – and one style.

 TASTE also proves, that the effort payed off. At least that‘s what our partners on five continents tell us. Whenever we meet them at trade fairs in Tokyo, New York, Mailand, Paris, Las Vegas, Hong Kong or Munich.

MYKITA Eyewear Book Launch Marks 5 Years

MYKITA Eyewear Book Launch Marks 5 Years

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Known for its innovative style and lightweight metal frames, MYKITAreleased a book last week in Paris entitled 5 to celebrate its 5th year. The Berlin-based brand has also revamped its first aviator Rolf sunglasses with a luxury platinum coating. These Platinum Pilots are limited edition, handmade pieces that will accompany each copy of the book, which includes the MYKITA history and information about the factory development of its flat-sheet metal eyewear. It also features five artists—illustrator Tina BerningDavid Krippendorff, and photographers Florian KolmerPeter Langer and Otello Annigoni—who offer their own interpretations of the MYKITA brand.

See below for a sampling of MYKITA’s Platinum Collection as well as pictures of its store in Berlin…

PLATINUM COLLECTION, £475 each
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MYKITA SHOP BERLIN
Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 6
10178 Berlin
GERMANY
Phone: +49-(0)30-67 30 87 15 
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If you are looking for Mykita in The United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa pleased contact Jonathan van Blerk of The AgenC on +44(0)7774710050

Mykita

 

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 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“).

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.

 

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.”

 

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

 

Get flashed by *MYKITA FLASH*, a line which adds some vivacity and life to MYKITA’s collection no. 1. The flat metal collection is renowned for its innovative screw less glasses with timeless designs, coupled with unique wearing comfort due to the extreme lightness and flexibility of the material.

 

For this first edition of the *FLASH* line MYKITA brings you a trio of its most popular signature aviator frames: Rolf, Hector and Elliot. These aviators, true MYKITA classics, gain a new life through this vivid splash of paint.

 

Each frame comes in each of the three colours; neon yellow and blazing orange make sure your face stands out in a crowd, vibrant tank-grey is cool as concrete.

 

Rolf, looking very fresh in this execution, is a classic aviator shape, which rapidly became Mykita’s most wanted item.  Hector, a rather square shape aviator exudes 80’s cool, thus is the perfect pair for hanging out at the beach club or even night club. Elliot, a metropolitan curved shape with a very smooth look, guarantees perfect eye protection.

 

The new colour coating, made of the highest quality Swiss lacquer, is meticulously applied by hand in several coats. The paint is then fixed onto the metal base, coat by coat, in a hot oven. As per all MYKITA frames, the *FLASH* collection is fully handmade in the Berlin manufactory.

 

To put it in a nutshell, a mini collection of aviators to suit every face, executed in flashy trend colours, all hand made in Germany.

 

 

We missed the “Flashed” festivities at eyewear brand MYKITA’s au courant central Mitte district store…but got educated on the cutting edge line at the Premium tradeshow in southern Berlin proper.

 

BACKSTORY: Founded by Harald Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans, and Moritz Krueger-a quartet of seasoned eyewear biz guys-Mykita hit boutiques with a stunning Collection *1 a few years ago.

 

Dubbed “ an evolutionary step up in terms of both design and exclusivity” Mykita’s eyeglasses features simple plug connections-ridding the pieces of complex soldered joints and screw connections. A PVD finish-a state of the art, vacuum heat coating technique… guarantees a non-oxidizing and highly wear resistant surface.

 

In other words, the eyewear is durable, incredibly lightweight, and is wearer adjustable like no other eye or sunglasses.

 

WHAT’S NEW: Collection *2 made from a full bodied cellulose acetate-has a technologically innovative snap-hinge (as in you can practically open up the sunglasses ) so that the “connecting element” hugs the front and temples in the style of a sheath…PLUS…a photomechanical etching technology that is unique to the brand.

 

Hand made frames in crisp designs coined Leslie, Helmut, Ferris, Fletcher, and Walter (buddies?) are available in fourteen presciption and six sunglasses. Nine distinct colors insure that you will probably be the only one with these cool shades.

 

RETAIL: Over 1400 high-end boutiques worldwide. MYKITA

 

FACTOID: The name is actually derived from a former daycare center for children.

 

CELEB FANS: Bruce Willis, and proud parents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Hugh Grant, Jason Statham.