Nuovelle Vague: thesis on eyewear in solid wood

The degree session held last week included Valeria Cacciola, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Design student, who discussed her thesis for specialization in Industrial Design.

The subject was solid wood eyewear made in collaboration with Ivan Stramare of Val.mec Tooling, a company that makes milled eyewear in wood, horn, aluminum, acetate, nickel silver, carbon, bronze and copper.

The project under study is an approach to a new concept of eco-sustainability and the pleasure derived from wearing a natural material that is warm and comfortable. A sheet from a block of solid wood was used to make the spherical base of the lens without folding or bending of any kind. The last stage involves treating the eyewear with beeswax alone, making it totally ecological. Because of the different types, veining and color of the wood used, every pair produced is unique. The innovative idea combines the concept of “Made in Italy”, design and creativity that are highly regarded throughout the world: the right blend of ideas, craftsmanship and technology.

The Commission included four commissioners: president Laura Milani (IAAD director), internal commissioner Umberto Rondolino (coordinator of Specialization in Industrial Design), internal supervisor Andrea Sanna (IAAD professor of Product Design) and external supervisor Paolo Seminara (representing Italian Style, the partner company of the thesis project).