Blooming: A New Chapter in Eyewear Design

Sonja Iglic's Award-Winning, Transformative Eyewear Concept

The inspiration behind 'Blooming' is the growth and transformation inherent in all beings, symbolized by blooming flowers. Sonja Iglic sought to create a versatile item that can adapt to the wearer's specific needs and changes throughout the day. The eyewear's unique property lies in its ability to be transformed at any point without requiring significant effort from the wearer. This feature, combined with a folding system, sets these accessories apart. Once folded, the eyewear becomes compact, making it easy to carry around.

'Blooming' is a handcrafted collection made from 18k gold-plated brass, complemented by laser-cut plexiglass with flower prints. The fully opened eyewear measures 150 mm x 120 mm x 160 mm, while the fully closed dimensions are 100 mm x 85 mm x 40 mm. The design tags associated with this eyewear include metal, gold, flower, sculpture, wearable, color, foldable, versatile, and jewelry.

The eyewear operates through a system of petals connected to the metal frame with rivets, allowing the position of the petals to be easily changed. The petals can be pushed around the rivet in a full circle, enabling a variety of looks by overlapping the petal shapes differently or positioning the petals differently in relation to the face. The frame itself is also connected with rivets, so the closing system works in a similar manner as the petals.

The 'Blooming' project, which took around three months to complete, started in January 2016 and was finished in April 2016 in Belgrade. The collection was exhibited at the International Jewellery Show Bijorhca Paris in September 2016. The design required extensive research into the historical development of spectacle frames, both visually and technically, to achieve a modern solution with a clear influence from the first types of frames.

One of the biggest challenges faced during the design process was the ergonomic aspect of the eyewear's frames. It was difficult to create foldable frames while maintaining a continuous flowing line that forms the final shape, both when folded and opened. Despite these challenges, Sonja Iglic's 'Blooming' eyewear design, inspired by blossoming flowers and early spectacle frames, has emerged as a convertible item that can be easily manipulated to offer several different looks. It also offers a practical folding possibility, taking as little space as possible in the carrier's bag.

The 'Blooming' eyewear design is a testament to Sonja Iglic's creativity and innovation in the field of design. It is not just an accessory, but a statement piece that reflects the wearer's individuality and style. With its unique folding feature and versatile design, 'Blooming' is truly a game-changer in eyewear design.