The Top$

ir Philip Green restated his plans to bring the splendid UK-based TopShop chain to the States after a New York court ruled in his favor.

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that Green's Arcadia Group owns all rights to the TopShop name. Thereafter, he announced his intention to recreate their Oxford Street, London flagship in the United States. The legal proceedings, while irksome, were not all negative:

"But what this litigation did was to reveal the vast amount of interest from all sectors in TopShop coming to America."

[Source: Vogue.co.uk]

The TopShop brand offers an array of shades that mimic designer style, though perhaps not their UVA/UVB protection. Americans can look forward to their purely ornamental, low-cost flash.

The Metal Rim Visor Sunglasses at right are reminiscent of pairs made by Vogue Sunglasses:
Cost: £20
Color: Red frames with Grey lenses
Retailer: TopShop.co.uk



At left, these Square-Armed Sunglasses have open temples and a Nicole Ritchie-ish feel.
Cost: £15
Color: Green metal arms with Grey lenses
Retailer: TopShop.co.uk


While these shades will not be putting the Luxottica Group out of business any time soon, they are great in the same affordable, fashion-forward way that the rest of TopShop's merchandise is.

Lose the Wigs, Jess.

essica Simpson has been making appearances here in fair New York City to promote her new album, A Public Affair, and, of course, herself (including her line of hair extensions and wigs, a collaboration with her hairdresser extraordinaire, Ken Paves).


While her hair was stunning as ever, its her sunglasses that make me want to flock to retail outlets.
[Source: Egotastic]


At right, she justifies Frida Giannini's reinstatement of the 1940s cursive Gucci logo with a single photograph. (Click photo for larger image.)

Jess' shades are not available online, according to Gucci's online personal shopping service. However, a smaller version of the cursive logo shades are available, the 2577/S:

Cost: $189
Color: Tortoise with Swarovski crystal
Retailer: exboutique.com


In a less stylish pose at right, Jessica flaunts large square frame Sean John glasses. (Again, click picture for a larger image.)

Sean John's website is currently under construction. His sunglass styles are not available online as of today. To be notified when they are up and running, you can register with them here.

GUCCI: Fall/Winter 2006 Accessories

ucci's 2006 Fall/Winter Women's Accessories Catalog landed on my doorstep this week, or rather in my inbox. It offers just a select few new pairs of flash, but enough to make it through the sunless season.

The entire catalog is available on Gucci's website.

The large square frame pair at left are 2378/S:
Cost: $295
Color: Marbled Brown Plastic Frame with Brown Gradiant Lens & Gold Hardware (See lower picture of logo hardware.)
Retailer: Gucci.com



The pair pictured alongside the Guccissima wallet at right seems to be offered to U.S. customers only. It is the 1003/S model:
Cost: $295
Color: Black Bamboo Plastic Exterior with Dark Gray Lens & Silver Metal Logo Plaque
Retailer: Gucci boutiques (US only.)

The horsebit interior is what lands this pair on my current wishlist. Fall, by definition, seems to call for a more muted palette and this year that is especially true. One needn't have their logos blazing come October. But, with the 1003/S you don't have to sacrifice flash. Hopefully, they will be adorning my visage in no time.

Shades on a Chain

veryone has a story of the sunglasses that got away: the pair you left in a taxi, at a friend's beachhouse, on the sink of a bar bathroom, etc. The ones you really hated to see go.


Recently, I have seen a few products that might save you a pair of your prized flashy shades. And by products, I mean jewelry.

New York Magazine introduced these lovely numbers to me back in May, (but now I see they have been name-dropped everywhere from Vogue to The Financial Times and House and Garden) and while I haven't lost any shades this summer, I would have appreciated not schlepping around my sunglasses case all day everyday.

La LOOP:

"a new accessory line designed specifically to hang onto your shades no matter what your style. Some of its necklaces come in plain or braided leather; some in silver or gold. My favorite is this hand-hammered acetate design from Paris, which looks so cute, I can even wear it alone."

[Source: nymag.com]

CNN even let me know how cool they are recently:

"Fashion photographer Mario Testino bought 50 to give as Christmas presents. Rod Stewart wore one on the cover of one of his albums. And Brad Pitt sported one in "Ocean's Twelve."

[Source: cnn.com]


If I were in their marketing department, I might play down that Rod Stewart connection. But look! At right, here's his Bradness wearing them now. (Does it look like he's been pounding red wine?)

How pretty! But like the stunning shades likely dangling from them, la LOOPS do not come cheap:
Cost: $85-$225
Retailer: laloop.com

The new hotness? Seduction

was reading The New York Post yesterday. Don't judge me.


In "Going, Going... Gone" they detailed fall's most desired items, many of which are already relegated to rather lengthy waitlists.
[Source: NYPost]

Included on this haute laundry list were Alain Mikli Seduction (A0640) sunglasses.

"With a dozen names on the waitlist for red and six queuing for heather gray, these shades are so hot that shoppers are even begging staff to lend them the floor samples - 'One client was willing to leave her AmEx card in order to take the sample,' says a sales associate. Next shipment: End of this week."

Never one to trust The Post, I called the Alain Mikli store on Madison Ave. myself. The sales associate assured me that while they are popular, several shipments are coming in and the approximate wait time is 10 days.

Do we like these? I'm just not so sure, y'all. You know what? No, I don't think we do.

Cost: $495
Colors: Red, Heather (many other colors are visible on the website, but I don't know about their availability in stores)
Retailer: Alain Mikli

A brief history on the designer:
- Alain Mikli is a French-born designer of handmade eyeglasses and sunglasses
- He is often heralded for his bold usage of color, which he attributes to his Armenian-Lebanese heritage [Source: Wikipedia]
- His eyeglasses are worn by many famous Europeans and Americans, including a few of my own personal heroes: Daniel Libeskind, Daniel Boulud (who is described on Mikli's site as a "grand restauranteur Francais et grand ami d'Alain), Philippe Starck, Steve Martin and Samuel L. Jackson
- His eyewear is praised for being technically advanced

While I think Mr. Mikli makes beautiful eyeglasses, I do not love him as a sunglasses designer. His shades all tend to be very similar looking, large round-edged squares with prominent rims. See for yourself at giarre.com.

UPDATE: Shades on a Plane

t seems songstress Alicia Keys would agree with yesterday's assessment of the necessity of shades on a plane.

At right, Ms. Keys dons Yves Saint Laurent 2008/S sunglasses to honor Billy Joel as the MusiCares Person of the Year.

In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Ms. Keys spoke of the benefits of fame, including the ability to wear your sunglasses whenever and wherever one sees fit:

Rolling Stone: The biggest perk about stardom, to me, would be the ability to wear sunglasses indoors.
Alicia Keys: Definitely. I can agree with that.
RS: Remember the first time you tried that?
AK: Not exactly. But it's not just sunglasses inside, it's the big dark ones that cover your whole grille. Those are my favorite. Not because I'm trying to be fabulous, but I love those big crazy Jackie O shades. Especially on planes -- you have every right to not want Tom, Dick and Harry in your nasty, sleep-crusty eyes.

[Source: Rolling Stone]


To update the YSL look for Alicia (as the photo above is a few years old), I suggest the YSL 2186/S (from the 2006 collection) look at right. The wrap around metal and acetate shades are available in an array of colors.
Cost: $300
Colors: Black, Burgundy, Brown/Gold (as shown here), Chocolate, Violet Rut
Retailer: Site 91 Opticians

Shades on a Plane

his week New York Magazine ran a snippet on the more frivolous side effects of the new airport security measures taken in light of the latest foiled terrorist attack, "JFK's Beauty Bin: The new contraband in the war on terror."
[Source: nymag.com]

Author Janelle Nanos spoke with fashion directors and editors, who were rather perturbed by the newly expanded list of banned items, particularly as they prepare to embark on transatlantic flights for the European fashion shows this fall.

With banned products including makeup, toothpaste, body spray and cologne, these beauty editors are displeased:

“'Everybody is bummed because it’s a really long flight and looking good is part of the industry,” says Jane beauty director Erin Flaherty. “You’re seeing all of your colleagues on the plane.'"

Her rather marvelous projection?
"'I think everybody is going to have their most oversized sunglasses on."





To follow the fashion set's lead and shield your puffy complexion from the judging eyes of your fellow passengers (all the while providing your very own snakes on a plane), might I recommend Roberto Cavalli's Thin Serpent Sunglasses:
Cost: $330
Color: Gunmetal, Copper, Rose Gold
Retailer: Bergdorf Goodman




What Ms. Flaherty does not know, however, is that wearing sunglasses while airborn can help curb the effects of jet lag. [Source: BBC; It's science, y'all!]

As the BBC reported earlier this year, scientists have discovered that passengers on long flights are best served by wearing sunglasses to alter their light patterns and help adjust their body clocks

"The study, conducted by Edinburgh Sleep Centre for British Airways, monitored more than 1,000 passengers. Dr. Chris Idzikowski, director of The Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said that without using sunglasses it took a day to recover for every hour of time difference travelled westwards."

Dr. Idzikowski tailors a "jet lag checker" for passengers, specifying the times for passengers to wear their sunglasses. Here's how it works: "The internal body clock steps up at dawn which is when we can manipulate exposure to light, it's a way of fooling the biological clock."

So while those new regulations are a bummer for travelers everywhere, that flashy shade option is looking better and better. Good luck at the shows, ladies!

Heather Mills McCartney

ile under H for How Bizarre, How Bizarre.


On Friday of last week, it was reported (by the BBC, no less) that Paul McCartney's soon to be ex-old lady was seen tooling about Los Angeles wearing a pair of flashy shades designed by his daughter, Stella.
[Source: BBC]

In London's Daily Mail, which also covered the story, it was argued that this was no sartorial slip-up on Heather's part:

"Out shopping in Beverly Hills, the 38-year-old former model sported a pair of sunglasses designed by Stella McCartney, the stepdaughter with whom she shares a notoriously hostile relationship.
"'Heather's decision to wear the sunglasses was made firmly tongue-in-cheek,' said a source close to Miss Mills.
"'She is only too aware of how much Stella detests her. Over the past four years Heather feels that she has made every effort to endear herself to her stepdaughter - wearing her clothes, attending her parties and fashion launches, supporting her causes, everything - only to be rebuffed time and again.
"'So this is her way of saying to Stella, who was against her marriage to Paul from day one, "You may have won the battle, but you haven't won the war." Heather is a feisty lady and she won't go down without a fight.'"

I am not quite sure how wearing Stella's sunglasses (which are actually manufactured by the Safilo Group) advances Heather's cause, but I do appreciate her making a statement via her shades. And she certainly did cause a stir.

However, as I scour the web for the exact make and model of Heather's pair, I am unable to verify this story. The sunglasses do not appear to be identical to any pair featured currently or in the archives of Stella's website, nor do they resemble any of the sunglasses featured in Stella's past runway shows on style.com.

That said, Stella makes some charming sunglasses (and employs the lovely Kate Moss as the face of her brand) and I applaud her for that.




For a rather unique shape, check out Stella's 4/SL:

Cost: $152-$179
Color: Shiny Gold/Honey, Shiny Black, Silver/White, Brown
Retailer: simply-accessories.com, unitedshades.com

You can check out the Top 10 Most Popular Sunglasses in the Stella McCartney Collection here.

Nice Double-C's, Ladies

his week Chanel's interlocking mother-of-pearl C's were all but ubiquitious.


Courtney Cox made negotiating a squirming (but adorable) toddler look hot with them:


[Source: popsugar.com]




Eva Longoria wore them to wrangle with her toy dog and with Brittany Murphy.
[Source: exposay.com]



They even made the The New York Times, which saw fit to highlight their presence in their 8/20/06 Travel Section profile of Turkbuku, the St. Tropez of Turkey:

"As house and R & B music pulsated from open-air bars, moneyed couples in Chanel double-C sunglasses and young women in gold bikinis poked into swimwear and jewelry boutiques."
[Source: NYTimes]

These are, of course, the Chanel 5076 style.
Cost: $300
Color: Brown with Brown Gradient Lenses, Black with Grey-Yellow Gradient Lenses, White with Grey Gradient Lenses, Brown Tortoise with Brown/Green Lenses
Retailer: sunglassesitaly.com



PS - A quick Google search also revealed a very intelligent-looking Paris Hilton to be a fan. This is not, mind you, to be construed as an endorsement for the trucker hat.

Fly Jacobs

s Ginnifer Goodwin cute? I'm not sure. But her Marc Jacobs Plastic Butterfly Sunglasses surely are.




[Photo Source: This week's "People" magazine. Additionally, she's flaunting the MJ's while chatting up Chris Klein in New York City, also on People.]

Cost: $290
Colors: Beige Brown, Shiny Black
Retailer: Saks Fifth Avenue

PS - It has recently come to my attention [courtesy of fabsugar.com] that these are the same shades Uma Thurman wears in a movie I will never see, My Super ExGirlfriend.

LB's Finest

his week marked the premiere of the third season of Laguna Beach on MTV.


The momentous occasion has been the talk of both blogs and legitimate news sources alike. In my favorite piece, The New York Times wondered if the show's first brunette heroine is up to the task of following in Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavalleri's footsteps. Who knew they had such a thing for LB?
[Source: NYTimes.com]

Here is my own retrospective on the series and, of course, the shades.

SEASON ONE: 2004
Narrator/Heroine/Alpha-Babe: Lauren Conrad
Signature Shades: LC was frequently flashing the Gucci 1510/S [See Aug. 2's "Love is Blinding" post, featuring Jessica Simpson]
Cost: $150-200
Colors: Beige, Black (as seen on LC), Dark opal, Rose opal
Retailer: framesdirect.com, eyesave.com, apairofshades.com
The NYTimes on her tenure: "MTV’s bellwether verité series started in 2004 with diligent Lauren telling her tale; driven by an unusual conviction that she could turn her platinum will into daisy charm, she grimly pursued her Girl Scout merit badge in reality exhibitionism."
Life after Laguna: "Lauren has kept plugging away at a simulated career on MTV’s spinoff 'The Hills.'”

SEASON TWO: 2005

Narrator/Heroine/Alpha-Babe: Kristin Cavalleri
Signature Shades: I believe they are Marc Jacobs MJ012S Aviators. Fabsugar.com offers some similar, but super cheap versions for you here.
Cost: $165
Colors: Dark Tortoise, Shiny Black
Retailer: eyeglasses123.com
The NYTimes on her tenure: "Breezier and more self-assured than Lauren, Kristin didn’t care about merit, and instead played the second season of “Laguna Beach” as if it were N.C.A.A. lacrosse."
Life after Laguna: "Kristin has skipped out on “Laguna” and embraced celebrity for its own sake on red carpets and in the pages of Life & Style."

SEASON THREE: 2006
Narrator/Heroine/Alpha-Babe: Tessa _____? [Who cares? On MTV, last names are a privilege, not a right.]
Signature Shades: She probably doesn't wear them. Loser.
The NYTimes on her tenure: "Tessa simply introduces too much reality to the otherworldly fantasy of perpetual sunshine that has driven the show so far. Besides, she’s boring. Sure, sometimes, as in movies and novels, unpopular girls are secretly noble, sophisticated and brilliant, but sometimes — we have to admit — they’re just uncool."
Life after Laguna: Not applicable, but not promising. The future of the franchise clearly lies with her rival, Kyndra, who is a worthy successor to Kristin's reality-TV bitchy genius. "She’s a mean girl of the highest order, with a Joan Collins manner that would seem to belong to someone twice her age. You can see how Tessa might strike her as sniveling. If only Kyndra were in charge!"

On MTV's Overdrive, however, Kyndra IS in charge. Be sure to check out her "Cribs"-esque home tour, complete with sunglasses collection. Below are some stills (click the picture for a larger image):

The shades at right are quite similar to a personal favorite of mine, Tom Ford's Fonda Aviators:
Cost: $290
Colors: Ochre Havana, Amber Havana, Black
Retailer: sunglassesitaly.com, eluxury.com

XTina's Flash

arlier this week (August 15), Christina Aguilera released a new 2-disc CD, Back to Basics, her first album in four years.
[Source: NYTimes.com]


In honor of Ms. Dirrrty, here she is looking flashy in Marc Jacobs Square Open-Temple Sunglasses.

To get Christina's cleaned-up-nice look:

Cost: $190-$240
Color: Black, Pink, Turquoise, Tortoise, Coral. [Unfortunately, I cannot seem to locate Christina's lovely white on the world wide web and the coral at right are slightly unfortunate looking.]
Retailer: Neiman Marcus, ottica.net

September's Elle: Vintage Splendor

he issue featured yet another mildly disappointing Portrait of Lindsay Lohan, The Artist, as a Young Woman/Seasoned Boozebag.
[Source: ELLE]


Needless to say, I highlighted, post-it flagged, and generally ravished its 560 pages. While the fall fashion photography was lovely and enticing, I was mildly disappointed by the relatively limited selection of shades highlighted in both editorials and advertisements (and lord knows there were plenty of those). In Elle's defense, however, I would probably have that sentiment even if the bulk of the issue was devoted to the flashiest of shades. I'm insatiable (and a terrible nerd, it seems).

First, our Lindsay.

In the Isabel Dupre styled photoshoot, she is pictured wearing the timeless RayBan Aviators in a muted gradient brown that seems a perfect fit for the coming season. [Source: This picture and others from the 80s themed shoot are available online here. Cheers, NosySnoop.]

To try this at home (if you haven't already, that is):
Model: RB 3025
Cost: $75-$115
Colors: Arista/Smoke Pink Gradient, Arista/Photo Yellow Gradient, Black, etc., etc., etc.
Retailer: framesdirect.com, eyeglasses123.com

Ms. Lohan, it seems, prefers a bit more flash off-camera. Interviewer Andrew Goldman describes her diminutive presence, saying: "If you squinted, the only thing you'd likely see would be her gigantic, buglike Dior sunglasses and her fabled chest..." The aforementioned shades are not pictured, so I can only go out on a limb and assume that Lindsay's are the latest and the greatest. To rock the look, I recommend the Aviadior model:


Cost: $270
Color: Havana plastic with dark brown lenses
Retailer: Bergdorf Goodman

8/31/06 UPDATE: These Diors are available for only $147 on Otticanet.com.

Additionally, the "ElleBehindTheCover" feature clues us in on la Lo's luxurious product preferences:

"MADE IN THE SHADE: Vintage Linda Farrow sunglasses keep our cover girl cool."

BRAVO, Lindsay, on a shades recommendation well done.

Now, there is the Lohan that we know and love (not the thoughtless interviewee who offers insights such as, (a) "I have a rule: I have to be home before the sun comes up or I start panicking. Unless it's, like, your birthday or whatever." and (b) "It's so amazing seeing that one woman [Marilyn Monroe] just going somewhere, this beautiful sex kitten, who's basically a pinup, which is what I've always aspired to be."), providing an excellent shades option.

The only thing cooler than sporting the newest, flashiest, most exclusive and sought-after shades, is having the most exclusive and sought-after shades of a stylish bygone era. And though her brand has been revitalized of late, Linda Farrow's shades are a terrific example of vintage splendor.

A brief overview of the designer:

- Linda Farrow, born in the late 1940s, married an optician and collaborated with him on an extensive line of sunglasses in the 70s and 80s.
- One of her specialities were her "polarized" lenses, which was revolutionary technology at the time.
- Her company was a distributor for major brands such as Pucci, Sonia Rykiel, and Balenciaga.
- Her son, Simon Jablon, relaunched the line in 2003 after unearthing a collection of over 1000 unique, mint-condition designs. Farrows' vintage splendor is now available at approximately 150 retailers internationally. According to her website you can find them at Barneys in New York, though they are not available on the Barneys website.
[Source: Linda Farrow Vintage Official Site]

I am nearly certain that I have seen Lindsay in the following Linda Farrows aviators.
Cost: £220.00
Color: Gold metal frames with tortoise shell strip
Retailer: Tomtom Cigars London

ElleBehindTheCover goes on to suggest a more readily accessible variation on the over-the-top style: Marc Jacobs' Butterfly Sunglasses.


Cost: $290
Color: Light gold frame with brown gradient lens; Green frame with brown gradient lens
Retailer: Saks Fifth Avenue

Since it seems I could blog for an inappropriate stretch of time on Ms. Lohan's enviable shades collection, I will bring this post to a conclusion and resume commentary on Elle's advertised sunglasses in the near future. Konichiwa, reader.

PS - Lindsay, please stop talking about Wilmer in interviews. Its embarrassing. Let's just pretend that it never happened, shall we?

Sweet Relief at Sunglasses Clinic

or the remainder of the month, Virgin Atlantic is offering its Upper Class passengers a "Sunglasses Styling Clinic" in their Clubhouse at Heathrow Airport.


As a consultant, they have recruited Lucy Garrett of Lucy Garrett Styling, who will spend 15 minutes with each client, followed by a trip to the stores if required. Ms. Garrett commented on her involvement, saying:

"I am delighted to be offering the 'Sunglasses Style clinic' for Upper Class passengers. It is the perfect opportunity for them to take time out to find a pair of sunglasses to suit them, and they can also enjoy a mini personal shopping tour of the designer stores to get the most out of their session."

The schedule of Ms. Garrett's availability is online here.

Virgin and Lucy Garrett are partnered with David Clulow, a sunglass retailer that features many prominent brands, including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Ray Ban, Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Oliver Peoples.

A limited selection of his shades are available online, including the Gucci 1825/S.

Cost: £145.00
Color: Cream frame with brown gradient lens, Brown frame with brown gradient lens
Retailer: David Clulow

M.K.'s Online

ichael Kors, like Valentino before him, has partnered with Neiman Marcus to launch michaelkors.com.

The sunglass selection remains largely unchanged, however these Crocodile Arm Sunglasses are quite lovely.



Cost: $225
Colors: Black, Bone, Olive
Retailers: Michael Kors

The Fall ('06) of the House of Medusa

ands down the flashiest of the summer's flash: Versace's "Couture Limited Edition" Sunglasses.


Cost: $560 (cannot be definitely confirmed until arrival)
The price also includes a special edition case, which doubles as a clutch. Pink and blue versions are available for around $300, but come only with the regular case.
Color: White
Retailer: Versace

"These wraparound frames in sleek white with smoky lenses are perfect for bathing on the Riviera or strolling along Madison. The gold plaque, “Gianni Versace -Via Gesù 12 Milano”, an emblem of Versace’s “Couture Limited Edition” collection, adorns the arms of glasses, enhancing the exclusivity of the shades. When night comes along, you can tuck the glasses into their white leather case decorated with Greek fret embroidery and the gold couture plaque, embodying a chic summer clutch."

While I have previously disavowed Versace shades, the limited edition flyness pictured at right have caused me to eat my words. They will be available at the end of the month in Versace boutiques and while the model number is as of yet unspecified, the sales clerk was acutely aware of the number that will be offered for sale in New York City. Ten.

Currently, I occupy the wait list's number five spot, but I can't bring myself to commit. I suspect its only the clutch that I'm really after. Or their exclusivity. Maybe I should just offer up my spot on the waiting list to the highest bidder. But good lord, they are glorious.

Gisele Ages Gracefully

n July, Supermodel Gisele told the press that men do not hit on her with the persistence they did a decade ago.


"Maybe I am not as good-looking? I don't know. Maybe my age has started showing? I take off my sunglasses and I'm 25."

Ms. Bundchen is, of course, the face of Vogue Sunglasses (a division of the Luxottica Group). Luckily for her, shades are an excellent way to ward off the effects of time. [source]

On her selection, Luxottica's VP of Marketing Vittorio Verdun stated: “As the new face of Vogue 2006, Gisele’s naturally elegant good looks and worldwide fame as a fashion icon makes her the ideal choice for the launch of the new Vogue collection." You can check the goods (hers and theirs) out here.

For the fall, I am quite taken with their 3502 S model:
Cost: $99.95
Colors: White, Black or Silver frames
Retailer: Sunglass Hut


PS - Sunglasshut.com has a brilliant match the celebrities to their shades game. You can play here.