Design Crafts lecturer at Swansea College Of Art wins two major eyewear design awards
A Design Crafts lecturer from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Swansea College of Art has won two major Love Eyewear design awards at 100% Optical in London.
Ffin Eyewear by UWTSD’s lecturer Anna Lewis won the ‘Best men’s sunglasses of the year’, ahead of major brands like Eyewear by David Beckham, Morel and JFrey, and ‘New designer of the year 2023’ category at this year’s ‘Love Eyewear’ awards at 100% Optical in London.
Ffin was also shortlisted in categories for ‘Best women’s sunglasses’ with established brands such as Woodys, Scotch and Soda and Vava.
A representative from 100% optical said:
“The love eyewear awards launched in 2020 to champion and promote eyewear amongst independent and major designers, manufacturers and retailers. The response was phenomenal and our panel of eyewear bloggers and stylists had an extremely difficult job judging the entries. Ffin has been introduced to the optical industry as a powerhouse at this year’s 100 optical show, winning not one but two love eyewear awards. Anna has successfully established her career and brand. We cannot wait to see the future of Ffin.”
Ffin is a new Independent Eyewear brand launched this year, with a limited-edition range of unique sunglasses designed on the coast of Wales, and made in the depths of Italy.
Ffin is a Welsh word that translates into border, boundary or frontier. The brand ethos is all about these defining lines, at the very edge of things. There is always a hint of rebellion here, for wearers with a little bit of an edge. They are created for the adventurous spirits, the outsiders, and the creative souls that are walking their own path in the world. For people that skirt the rules of the status quo, eyewear for the individual, is classic with a wink.
This much anticipated brand has been over two years in the making starting in lockdown and can now, at last, be seen. Revealed in real life at 100% Optical (Europe’s fastest growing optical Event and the only one based in the UK), Ffin immediately made an impact at the exhibition, on the catwalk and by winning the two awards.
“We had an incredible first show, thank you to all who supported us at 100% after so much hard work it really makes it worthwhile when that is recognised. Not only the awards but meeting with amazing fellow designers, opticians, stylists and writers such as The Eyewear Forum, their support and warm welcome means so much to a new brand. We are excited to see where we can take Ffin next and hope this achievement inspires up and coming designer makers.”
Its founder Anna Lewis has a broad career working in jewellery design, contemporary craft and art direction. Ffin is the start of new adventures for the designer. The majority of tutors here at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art run their own practice alongside teaching to maximise its impact to the students.
Anna also has a passion for Entrepreneurship having recently been appointed as one of the University’s Enterprise Ambassadors. She said:
“We embed enterprise and employability skills across the Design Crafts programme and this may come in the form of live briefs, competitions, sales events, internships and self-promotion. As a team, we feel it is critical we prepare our students for the world of work and give them real life experiences. For example, we have recently worked with The Crafts Council, Association for Contemporary Jewellery and Mission Gallery on a jewellery design competition. This term students are learning about batch products, pricing and marketing if they wish to set up their own business in ceramics, glass or jewellery when they graduate.“
“As a tutor, it’s always been important to me to push myself in this regard and practice what we preach, the students have been fully behind me in this exciting new venture.”
Anna has a successfully established career as a jewellery designer maker and artist. She draws on these making skills and her considered attention to detail for her unique approach to eyewear. She adds:
“It feels like a natural progression for me to design eyewear, I am an avid fan and collector of sunglasses, I started to design my own and it expanded rapidly from there. I love the way it feels when you put on a pair of great sunglasses, it is literally like wearing confidence, then you can take a step out into the world. I want to give that individual confidence to my clients.”
“The designs stem from the obsession over line. Where lines fold, intersect, curve and dissect. Lines discovered in the urban landscape, on the street, inside, outside, gritty brutalist architecture in London, the borders marked on the road, how the city tries to control where we navigate it. How the body interacts with the space in which it occupies. How we wear space and how it wears us. It’s how we “wear the world.”
The first limited edition collection consists of three core designs called ORA, ANA, and NOS; defining the brand ethos of line and point of difference. The Shades are genderless using the best bio-based Italian acetate and bio lenses enveloped in a handmade leather case.
All manufacturing and materials including the packaging are sourced in the UK and Europe working with master craftspeople and collaborating with other local creatives using eco materials throughout. Anna added:
“We only work with companies we believe to hold good ethical working practices for both their staff and the environment. We work with people who care about their product and are highly skilled artisans.”
Designed to last and transcend seasons, Ffin frames should be worn and loved throughout the year, as a celebration of both sunshine and shade across the seasons.
Note to Editor
Wearers can purchase their glasses online at ffineyewear.com. View the full collection to be the very first to own a pair of these award-winning unique frames.
Follow @ffineyewear for inspiration.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476