“Less is more” has long since become a winged word application in many industries to advertise reduced product design. Can a “less” actually be a “more”? Anyone who enters the House of Silhouette in the historic Palais Herberstein at the noble Wiener address Herrengasse 1-3 can convince themselves on two floors: Innovative, minimalistic glasses design leads to the “lightness of seeing” and actually brings the carrier, vulgo buyer of the product a “more” comfort and better view.
“Minimalism is the formative constant of our work,” said Roland Keplinger, chief designer of the well -known glasses that were based in Linz, Silhouette of the Großer Hot on members of the Club Tirol, who had gathered on a mild late summer evening in the House of Silhouette. Had organized the visit to the house-as Club Tirol Vice President Renate Danler thanked when greeting-Club Tirol board member Martina Scheiber and Club Tirol member and optician Johannes Kern. The latter acted as a storage manager in the end of 2024 “non -classic glasses business” in Herrengasse. A place, according to Kern, where “design, craft, aesthetics and emotions come together, here we turn our gaze from inside out.”
In any case, nothing was left to chance when designing the House of Silhouette. Here equipment design shines down to the smallest detail in order to offer customers a “unique experience”. Coupled with the most modern optical services such as a variety of eye tests and tailor -made customer advice. For the first time, all brands of the Silhouette Group are presented in one place: The main brand Silhouette with the world -famous borderless glasses developed 25 years ago – the only 2 gram light “titanium minimal art” – the focus; In addition, the sports glasses of the Evil Eye brand and versions of the youthful-progressive new building series. In the “Silhouette Atelier Next” there are artistically designed glasses frames, for example with gilded elements.
Customers in space
“As a designer, I always have my eyes open, people look in the face, like to ask if their glasses actually suit them,” Roland Keplinger gave an insight into his world of work. He and his team have already won 135 design prices. The solution already issued in 1964 applies to the development of new versions: to create the most beautiful glasses of the highest quality and the greatest possible wearing comfort. The easier to get glasses, the better they can be carried. Sightness “we reach by omitting everything that is not absolutely necessary.” That is why silhouette glasses, for example, do without hinges and screws.
A look at details, the question of how something feels, simplicity and precision – all of this together creates good, sensitive design without sharp edges. Keplinger: “For us, the focus is on the glasses wearer, the goal is to underline its character with the glasses without the focus.” You are proud of silhouette with regard to a very specific group of glasses that use the company’s parade product without any change or special adjustment requests: astronauts. “If you have your helmet, you can’t just put your glasses sliding on your nose. Our glasses do not slide,” says Keplinger one of the reasons for “space customers.”
Glass
The principle of “Less is more” is reflected in the production – less means less use of resources and thus more sustainable, more environmentally friendly production. So that the version selected by the customer can be optimally equipped with the glasses, Silhouette has been producing them itself since 2017. “This way we can make the glasses according to the individual needs of future carriers,” explains Thomas Beier, head of glass production in the Linz plant. This direct “information flow” from the customer to glass producers guarantees that versions and glasses are perfectly coordinated. Silhouette is one of the few manufacturers who still produce in Europe. According to Beier, around 200,000 pieces of glasses are produced annually.
According to the introductory words of store manager and chief designer, visitors were able to take a closer look at the many brilliant designs on display. And some and some became customers from the visitor.
About the Club Tirol:
Around 40,000 Tyroleans live in Vienna and the surrounding area. The Club Tirol has been offering you a politically independent business network for more than sixteen years. Every year the Club Tirol organizes numerous events on topics from business, politics and culture for its now over 650 members. Current board member of Club Tirol is President Julian Hadschieff, Humanocare owner, Vice President Renate Danler – Renate Danler Consulting, Peter Kunz – Kunz Wallentin Rae GmbH, Barbara Kolm – Members of the National Council, President of the Hayek Institute and Director of Austria Economics Center, Communication consultant Charlotte Sengthaler, Stefan Kirchebner – BMLV – Abb. Target group communication, personnel consultant Martina Scheiber HR-Scope, key account manager at Café+Co and organizer of the business hike Herbert Rieser.