Kate Beckinsale is Quite Lovely, No?

he was photographed earlier this month outside a Santa Monica ice cream shop with her daughter, Lily.



[Source: GossipRocks]

What a pretty picture, indeed! She is wearing Oliver Peoples' Harlot Sunglasses:

"Glamorous, 70's inspired oversized sunglass with beautiful metal accents. 6 base lens curve and UV protection."

Cost: $340
Colors: Orchid Gradient, Olive Gradient, Dark Mahogany, Sycamore
Retailer: Oliver Peoples

I love her in these. Pretty pretty.

Refueling Paris

n a move some are citing as evidence of new friend Britney Spears' increasing influence, Paris Hilton was photographed leaving an OUT OF ORDER(!) public restroom at an L.A. gas station this week. Her stock is plummeting.

[Source: The Sun]

Egads!

The whole thing (i.e. Britney's underpantsless escapades) makes me wish I had some Purell. I am going to center myself and just focus on the shades. Sunglasses will save the day.

[Source: CelebrityDirtyLaundry]

Along with questionable judgment, Paris is exhibiting Christian Dior CD Glossy 1 sunglasses:
Cost: $208
Colors: Black, Tortoise, White, Pink, Purple, Green, Brown
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

That Gwenny

wen Stefani is insatiable! She just cannot stop herself, can she? Her Wind It Up video alone features two really sweet pairs of sunglasses.




The sunglasses worn with her nun outfit (and on her album art, at right) are so special, she's taken to wearing them to her little hearts content.

She wore them to the American Music Awards last week to complement her blond banged, Michelle-Pfeiffer-in-Scarface look, which -- coincidentally -- was the theme of L.A.M.B.'s Spring/Summer '07 collection. As always, she is her best model.

[Source: GossipRocks]

Here, she is wearing them in the U.K.'s Sunday Times:

[Source: NoDoubtWeb.com]

They are vintage Cazal sunglasses, model 905 and I would be wearing them all over the place if I was their proud owner too. Cazal makes some wild shades! Check them out at cazalsunglasses.com, but like anything vintage, they aren't cheap.

* * *

Ms. Stefani is also seen in the video wearing Louis Vuitton Bindi Sunglasses, so named for the gem dangling from above their nosepiece. They were shown in LV's Fall/Winter 06-07 campaign, featuring Pharrell Williams and Kate Moss.

Cost: $875
Colors: White, Black
Retailer: Louis Vuitton stores

Yodeling aside, those are some lovely sunnies.

Jessica Alba: Settling Down, Buckling Up

herman Oaks, California -- Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, eager to put her Fantastic Four money to good use, were photographed househunting together on Tuesday of this week. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Cash!

Ms. Alba, looking cute as cute can be, was wearing the buckled sunglasses trend profiled in this month's Harper's Bazaar. [See: FlashyShades' Harper's Bazaar -- November 2006]

[Source: GossipRocks]

Roger Vivier Pilgrim sunglasses feature the brand's signature buckle (as seen HERE on his pretty shoes). The sunglasses, however, don't seem to be available on the web just yet. What can you do?

New Releases

lashyShades.com would like to wish a warm welcome to two newly launched sunglasses lines!

This week, two delightful brands from opposite ends of the fashion spectrum announced their plans to enter the sunglasses market: the highly accessible Banana Republic and the more exclusive Thakoon.

For their eyewear collection, Banana Republic entered into a five year deal with a proven winner, the Safilo Group, the powerhouse responsible for the following splendor:



A wise choice! Marka Hansen, the president of Banana Republic addressed the new shades line in a statement, saying:

"We continue to grow Banana Republic as a lifestyle brand and eyewear is a natural extension of our plans."

[Source: Gap Inc.]

Banana Republic eyewear will be available in Solstice, independent stores, and Banana Republic locations by late 2007. Giddy up!

* * *

The second newbie is Thakoon, the acclaimed line designed by Panichgul Thakoon (a former editor at Harper's Bazaar).

"Thakoon has set its sights on the eyewear business. The ready-to-wear label designed by Thakoon Panichgul in New York has unveiled a collection of sunglasses. The collection represents the first step into the accessories category for the two-and-a-half-year-old brand and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up, following its collaboration with Nine West this fall on footwear, handbags and gloves."

[Source: WWD]

Thakoon's new venture is not super surprising, as his Spring/Summer '07 runway show featured several models in sunglasses (as shown above). View the entirety of that show HERE. [Source: NYMag]

I, for one, am waiting with bated breath!

Oh, Ashlee.

eople's "Star Tracks" photographed Ashlee Simpson in dire need of that cup of coffee she was lined up for at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Malibu on Saturday.

Yikes! You can't hide behind those Tom Ford Whitney sunglasses, Ms. Simpson. Don't you have an assistant to get that coffee for you?

[Source: People]

Tom Ford FT 0009 Whitney:
Cost $242
Colors: Black, Coral, Pink, Beige, Brown
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

Anglomania

ur dear little Lindsay Lohan has been making the rounds in London, where she hosted the World Music Awards on Wednesday evening.

[Source: SuperiorPics]

I've read reports saying she was booed from the stage. Hopefully a trip to Cartier and these Christian Dior Aviador 1s provided solace. [Source: Netscape.com]

Cost: $134-$152
Colors: Dark Burgundy, Black, Tortoise
Retailer: Otticanet.com


PS - You may remember these on Jessica Alba. [See: Jessica Alba on Sunglasses: "I Never Felt Right in Small Ones."]

Promotional Pictorial

n Tuesday night, New York's Irving Plaza was host to Ray Ban Wayfarer Sessions. Ahhh, celebrity swagger.

Molly Sims and Mischa Barton were on hand to model the American classic: RayBan Wayfarer.

[Source: SuperiorPics, SuperiorPics]

I've got to get on the invite list to these events. Manufactured by Ray Ban since 1953 and reportedly history's best-selling sunglasses model, Wayfarers truly are an iconic style. [Source: Wikipedia]

Additional pictures from the event are available on WireImage.

Cost: $124
Color: Black
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

Laguna's Last Call

n anticipation of tomorrow night's Laguna Beach finale, I have taken some time to reflect upon the season's dramatic highs and lows.


If you haven't been carefully following the gang's manicure trips, petty rivalries, calculated hookups and -- of course -- flashy shades, its not too late. You can get an overview of the season in MTV's Photobook.

Its become obvious to me that Lexie is the show's standout. She is in on the gossip, but smart enough to not be the subject of it.

From Left: Lexie looks on and laughs as Breanna makes out with Derek in Cabo; Aboard her family's yacht with the alpha babes; Looking pretty at her pre-prom party with, but keeping her distance from, Derek; Getting hit on by Alex within microseconds of his breakup with Raquel (aka "Rocky", "The Worst"). [Source: MTV]

Below, some of Lexie's flashiest:

[Source: LagunaLovers.org]

Chanel 5065
Cost: $282
Colors: Pink, Tortoise, Black, Blue, Ivory, Brown
Retailer: SunglassesItaly


[Source: LagunaLovers.org]

My personal favorites, Versace 2053 B:
Cost: $210
Colors: Black, Green, Dark Grey, Blue, Brown
Retailer: SunglassesItaly


Well played, Lexie. Those'll show Kyndra who's boss.

J.G. in Gucci

ennifer Garner took to the streets of Beverly Hills this weekend and was photographed going to a hair salon. You know you've made it when your highlights are newsworthy.

I'm glad to see she is still sporting her Gucci 1536.

These are my go-to shades! (Booyah.)

I thought it was a bit interesting that the paparazzi photos featured her Lexus' California license plate. (She left the Bentley at home for this outing.)

[Source: GossipRocks]

To make like me:
Cost: $209
Colors: Black, Brown, Tortoise, Red, Blue
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

Harper's Bazaar -- November 2006

finally had the opportunity to catch up on my fashion magazines this weekend, specifically Harper's Bazaar.

In their "What's New: Hottest, Newest, Latest" column they detailed a recent development in designer sunglasses.

"The latest trend in eyewear comes from an unlikely source -- buckles. Fendi's B, Roger Vivier's signature Pilgrim, and Gucci's classic closure have appeared as details on glam oversize sunglasses. Who knew looking chic would be such a cinch?"

Fendi's B Fendi Sunglasses:
Cost: $275
Colors: Black, Dark Brown
Retailer: Saks Fifth Ave.



Gucci's 2591
Cost: $201-206
Colors: Black, Tortoise, Red, Violet, Green, Blue
Retailer: Otticanet.com

The Roger Vivier sunglasses, far less common than the other two pairs, really caught my eye. Katie Holmes was photographed wearing them last month at David Orgell, a jewelry store on Rodeo Drive.

[Source: GossipRocks]

Roger Vivier
Cost: $445
Colors: Red, White, Black, Tortoise (as seen on Ms. Holmes)
Retailer: Saks Fifth Avenue (in stores, not available online)

Additionally, they were recently profiled in Wallpaper:

"It's a risk to refer to Diana Vreeland and Nicole Richie in the same sentence, but Roger Vivier's new sunglasses evoke just that type of icon-inspired elegance that we all wish we could exude everyday. The first frames in the collection boldly show off an oversized, Forties silhouette in your choice of red, black, white and tortoise shell, with Vivier's signature gold buckle adorning each temple in quiet homage. Mysterious, forward, effortless and desirable all at once, what more could a girl ask for?"

[Source: Wallpaper]

Marc Jacobs: Revenge of the Nerd

ike so many in the tabloid world often do, I find myself confused as to Kristin Cavallari's celebrity status. Is she or isn't she? Famous, that is. We will give her the benefit of the doubt for the time being, as her latest surfacing on the world wide web pertains to an actual film she is starring in.

Or rather, trying to star in. The remake of Revenge of the Nerds is on a temporary hiatus, as a new filming location is procured:

"Production on one of Fox Atomic's first films -- a remake of the 1984 cult classic 'Revenge of the Nerds' -- has been shut down after Emory University in Atlanta, where more than a third of the film was to be shot, backed out of its agreement to allow Fox to film on campus. It's believed that Emory officials ultimately balked at the raunchy nature of the project."

[Source: Variety]


[Source: SavingFace]

For her return to California, Ms. Cavallari donned Marc Jacobs' MJ042S:
Cost: $275
Color: Tortoise
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

Pammy Pie: I Like...

ike any self-respecting, suburban mother, Pamela Anderson hit her local grocery store this weekend to stock up for her brood of kids and Rocks. Unlike the other soccer moms, however, she wore short shorts and mile-high heels. And what nice gams!


Following last weekend's box office success of her film, Borat (which raked in over $25 million, the highest-grossing opening ever for a picture playing at less than 1,100 theaters), I hope that her cart is filled with about a case of champagne. Because that's how much it would take to get those implants drunk. [Source: BoxOfficeMojo.com]

[Source: GossipRocks]

Ms. Anderson, it seems, is standing by her horse-bits. Here, she wears Gucci's 2711/S.
Cost: $264
Colors: Brown, Black, Grey, Yellow, Pink, Orange, Purple
Retailer: SunglassesItaly

Balenciaga: Redux

ashion Bible Vogue has declared that Balenciaga's Spring 2007 avant-garde glasses are the way of fashion's future. This seems fitting, given that designer Nicolas Ghesquière was inspired by The Terminator.

The venerable magazine's Fashion Market and Accessories Director, Virginia Smith, has instructed readers to:

"Forget rose-colored glasses. For spring, Balenciaga's cyber-goddess goggles are the way to go."

[Source: Style.com]

Frequent readers may recall that I reviewed the Balenciaga runway show back in early October in a post entitled "Robotic Articulation, Car Parts, Droits".



Revisiting the sunglasses, I find I am less offended by them the second time around, which is not to say that high school chemistry labs and hearty games of paintball do not come to mind. The clear lenses I still cannot possibly consider, but the opaque lenses may even almost border on -- dare I say it? -- cool.

Nevertheless, with the sunglasses not hitting stores until late January or February of 2007, it seems premature for Vogue to declare them:

"The cult buy of the season."

This will mark the first collection of Balenciaga eyewear. The sales clerk at the New York store estimated the cost to be approximately $550. Yowzers!

The Lesser of Two Hiltons

'm not sure if you know this, but Nicky Hilton is super cool. She buys lots of things and is really pretty and doesn't need no stinkin' Kevin Connelly.

Last Thursday, she spent some quality shopping time with her mother and every girl's dream shopping buddy, Brandon Davis.

Nicky and the elder Hilton donned their flashy best for the excursion.

[Source: GossipRocks]

On Nikki, Tom Ford 0010 Farrah's:
Cost: $242
Colors: Tortoise, Black
Retailer: SunglassesItaly


On Kathy, Dolce & Gabbana 6024B:
Cost: $257
Colors: Brown, Black, Turquoise, Orange, Purple
Retailer: SunglassesItaly


If this was a shades-off, Nicky would clearly be the victor. How can one go wrong in a pair of Tom Fords? Mrs. Hilton is -- how do I put this nicely? -- a bit much in those shades, black leggings, and ballet flats.