Wolfgang Proksch: The Revolutionizer Of Eyewear
Eyewear is a celebration of design with a rich history that leads up to the designer frames of today. Regardless of the season, it is always in demand either as a practicality or to add subtle intrigue, with many relying on it to serve a plethora of personal desires. Although their form has been influenced by fashion throughout their history, it was from the mid twentieth century that glasses widely became an important element of an individual’s sense of style. Over the last few years, eyewear has gone from nerd necessity to a stylish fashion accessory, with fashion designers realizing how powerful a brand extension eyewear can be.
As a vehicle for design, individual expression, and enhancement of personal appearance, perhaps none adds an erudite edge than German designer Wolfgang Proksch. The challenging aspect of the finer details of glasses, as well as their ability to drastically alter important first impressions, is what fuels his passion for eyewear. With a keen interest in design, fashion, architecture and furniture, Wolfgang initially studied marketing, being designated the best in his year for his degree dissertation, receiving his award from the then Germany Minister for the Economy. With his cutting-edge designs, Proksch is one of the world’s leading eyewear designers with a lot of talent and experience.
No stranger to innovating the eyewear industry, he has made his own mark on the international fashion scene, leaving an undeniable impact. Over the years he has collaborated with renowned brands such as Bugatti, Fendi, and Oliver Peoples, as well as inspired Prada and D&G models. As he moved into design stardom and business maturity, he decided to establish his own brand by the end of the 80s, collaborating with Tractor Productions and working with exclusive designers in the USA. By creating successful partnerships across the world and forging synergies with other passionate individuals who share the same philosophy, Proksch’s ascendancy in the eyewear industry was not entirely self-orchestrated but a combination of luck and opportunity.
His original label, Wolfgang Proksch, is a selection of classic modern eyewear, influenced by avant-garde culture and designed with minimalistic craft. His skill for clear design, refreshing shapes, and sleek subtlety are important elements of the collection, as well as playing with the contrast of materials. Similar to his other labels, Proksch prides this brand on its quality and went on to set trends in the market, not follow them. Due to his unique approach to design, it is no surprise that he has won several sought-after awards, including the 2008 Good Design Award, a homage to his alluring sense of style which can be seen as well in his other eyewear labels ByWP and Anderne.
Proksch identifies himself as a product designer, rather than as an artist whose rare and contemporary vision for design is entrenched in high-quality, modernity, and functionality. His view is that eyewear should make its own statement as a piece of fashion, stemming from a myriad of historical and cultural influences. His work in propelling the eyewear market forward, specifically in his innovative use of acetate and titanium, as well as a flexible hinge, which he originally designed in the early millennium, set the brand apart. Today, Proksch’s storied success has ensured global reach and a distinguished international reputation, with his name become synonymous with luxury eyewear and iconic design. His frames are worn on such tastemakers as Brad Pitt, Elton John, Catherine Zeta Jones, Mick Jagger, and Diane Kruger and appear consistently among Hollywood’s elite, gracing movie sets and other productions.
While Proksch’s styles are adorned by artists of all backgrounds, his eyewear can also be seen proudly worn by design enthusiasts in metropolitan cities, from edgy, well-educated youths to middle-aged accomplished professionals. The broad scope of individuals which appreciate his mastery have also in turn influenced his own designs. While trying to avoid following the latest fashion trends, Proksch seeks inspiration from magazines, books, social media, and traveling. Known for being a globetrotter, he loves the latter as it gives him plenty of spontaneous design ideas through exploring the world. It is from this swirl of cars, jazz, contemporary art and furniture that Proksch’s unique vision and style was born, building on his deep admiration for the traditional skills he saw through her work on bespoke eyewear.
Proksch’s brands have distinctive characteristics which make each label uniquely successful. For instance, Anderne, meaning ‘another modern’, was launched in 2013 and fuses traditional styles with experimental modern perspectives. At first glance, one is struck by the bold colors and multifarious forms – the range of geometric shapes, with large rounded frames and metallic hues lend an ageless vibe to the retro look. ByWP on the other hand, sports a sophisticated hinge solution, with details that can rarely be found in other collections. Based on the flat-sheet concept, with a strong element of sophistication, the collection draws on Japanese craftsmanship for durability and quality while combining Proksch’s admiration for modern refinement and industrial design.
Throughout all his brands and collections, Proksch’s personal touch is clear to see, particularly his fascination for tradition, with designs aiming to show respect to the heritage of past iconic creations. With a genuine cult following, his labels continue to progress and be in demand throughout the world. From shiny Los Angeles to animated Tokyo, Proksch symbolizes the interesting intersection of heritage and modernity, while continuing to be on the forefront of fashion.
By
Kelly Blank
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