The Unique, Offbeat Glamour of Marni

ne last word on the Milan shows before I get with the times and catch up with the Parisians. One show in particular caught my interest, because I had never considered it to be a serious sunglasses purveyor. The show was Marni, which Style.com declares as possessing "a unique, offbeat glamour along with a life-enhancing playfulness that is irresistible." [Source: Style.com]

My thoughts precisely.

[Source: Style.com]

I really liked how they showed a variety of shapes and styles. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they adorned the faces of (clockwise from top left): Sasha Pivovarova, Elise Crombez, Kasia Struss, Marina Peres, Carmen Kass and Sofi Berelidze.

Limited Edition Flash

ne doesn't normally associate Nike with high fashion, but limited edition anything sparks interest.

Freshness magazine turned me on to these Nike Air Force One Limited Edition Sunglasses. With only 350 pairs made, they certainly smack of exclusivity. Look to see them on Diddy any day now.

[Source: Freshness]

Marc-ism

ord knows I love British Vogue. March's issue -- that's right, the one with Daria Werbowy -- was especially exciting, as spring's approach brings a dramatic increase in sunglasses coverage.
[Source: FashionVerbatim]


UK Vogue was particularly big on all sunglasses Marc Jacobs this month. In a piece detailing runway to reality, they plug spring's sporty styles with Marc Jacobs' MJ 092 sunglasses.

[Source: UK Vogue]

Personally, I think these sunglasses are a bit too reminiscent of unibrows, but who am I to argue with Vogue?
Cost: $293
Colors: Shiny Black, Dark Brown, Havana, Caramel (as seen at left), Dark Green, Bordeaux
Retailer: Otticanet.com

Meanwhile, the magazine's "Diary" extols the virtues of Louis Vuitton Faux Semblant Rectangle.

[Source: UK Vogue]

"The Faux Semblant Rectangle model features a strong sculptured acetate frame polished by hand, and hinges reminiscent of the corners of the legendary Louis Vuitton trunks."
[Souce: Louis Vuitton]

Sure, they cost £290. But let's not harp on the negative.

Milan: III

here are a few constants to runway shows. Miuccia is going to shake things up. LV is going to prominently display gorgeous handbags. Gucci is going to feature big sunglasses. And generally, I am going to love them.


Gucci's Autumn/Winter 2007, which Cathy Horyn of The New York Times deemed Frida Giannini's "best collection for Gucci", was shown in Milan last week. [Source: NYTimes]

[Source: Style.com]

There is something a bit bug-eyed about these shades, no? When Jessica Stam doesn't look good in sunglasses, I can't imagine them selling well.

On Our Radar

adar magazine, which is perhaps the most fantastic outlet for Photoshopped images, included an untouched photoshoot in its current issue: "Socialites—They're Just Like Us!"

The shoot, of course, included Tinsley Mortimer, Byrdie Bell, and Fabiola Beracasa, as well as New School student-socialite Olivia Palermo. [Currently rated #17 by SocialiteRank.com, you can see her profile HERE.]

[Souce: Radar]

To wear your own sunglasses at night, Oliver Peoples Candace Sunglasses:
Cost: $285
Colors: Cocoa Butter, Olive Tortoise (as seen at left), Black/Yellow Tortoise, Orchid Gradient, Black, Sienna Red, Sycamore-Spice Brown
Retailer: OliverPeoples.com

While Ms. Palermo looks fantastic in the photos, she did not fare so well after the shoot:

Last night, Tinsley Mortimer and Fabiola Beracasa traveled far and away to conquer Hollywood. They, according to the press release are the honorary guests at Radar magazine’s premier issue party. Byrdie Bell and Olivia Palermo who dutifully obliged to play poor for the previously failed pub were shamelessly snubbed. Not famous enough for airline tickets or hotel rooms. You can’t blame Radar, really.

[Source: SocialiteRank.com]

Milan II

omas Maier's Autumn/Winter 07 show for Bottega Veneta was praised as being "individualistic and beautifully grown-up." I think Chanel Iman's sunglasses from this week's show fits that description.

[Souce: Style.com]

Milan...

y how time (between blog posts) flies when you are moving apartments! [For more on the horrors of moving, check out Lizze.] Moving along.

Fashionistas have now decamped from London and have descended on Milan its appropriately body mass indexed shows.

Prada, always a heavy hitter, gave us bold colors, funky footless socks and a few pairs of dramatic shades in the Autumn/Winter 2007 show. No thank you to Style.com, who did not include sunglasses in their "Detail Shots".

[Source: Vogue.co.uk]

I rather like Freja Beha Erichsen's sunglasses.

M is for Maybe

s more pictures of Madonna's M line for H&M surface, my uncertainty grows. Or maybe that's my ambivalence. I'm just not sure the world needs mass-produced Madonna wear.


With any luck, though, her new line will fare better than her H&M tracksuits.

[Source: DrownedMadonna]

Madonna, 48, said: "I've made no secret of my love of fashion. Working with H&M was an exciting and new creative challenge. I'm happy with the results and look forward to wearing M by Madonna along with the rest of the world."

The collection - described as "reflecting Madonna's timeless, unique and always glamorous style" - goes into stores in 28 countries, including the UK, next month.

It includes lumber jackets, blazers, kimono dresses, handbags and sunglasses, mainly in white, black, khaki and grey. A Madonna favourite is a stylish trenchcoat in cotton poplin and leather. Prices will range from £7.99 to £149.99.

[Source: ThisIsLondon.co.uk]

These sunglasses aren't offensive, but I wonder if they will be closer to the £8 end of the spectrum.

Manufactured Flash

atching this video on the manufacturing of sunglasses kind of blew my mind. Sure, its not romantic, but its interesting to see the origins or your sunnies.



I wonder what brand those are. And when do they add the logo??

The Wayfarers Roll On

ayfarers simply cannot be stopped! Ashley Olsen, following in her sister's footsteps, is the latest in the line of hip, hip ladies to don the iconic shape.

Ashley was photographed getting a little wacky on vacation in Mexico earlier in the week. The overall effect is pretty much the best ad campaign American Apparel has never launched.

[Source: GossipRocks]

Like some other celebrities have been known to do, she buys her sunglasses in bulk. [See: Gwen Stefani in Black & White; Paris Redux/Refueling Paris] Ashley is too cool for school!

[Souce: People]

Ms. Olsen was hardly the only celebrity channeling Risky Business this past week. A traveling-in-comfort Drew Barrymore wore her white wayfarers at the airport, while Brittany Murphy wore her black pair with her time-traveling-to-the-80s outfit.

[Source: People, People]

Jimmy Choo Launch

midst all the excitement of New York's Fashion Week, I did not blog about the upcoming premier of sunglasses made by Jimmy Choo. It was announced in late last week that the company has been sold to TowerBrook Capital Partners LP and that Tamara Mellon would stay with the firm.

Jimmy Choo to Launch Eyewear, Fragrance Lines

LONDON — With a new owner, Jimmy Choo is out to move beyond footwear and leather goods.

"We're going to continue developing this company independently. There is still potential for growth." -- Robert Bensoussan, Jimmy Choo

The company, acquired earlier this week by the private equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, will unveil a full eyewear line by the end of the year and plans to launch its first fragrance in 2008.

[Source: WWD]

While their shoes are charming, their handbag line is a bit of an overpriced mess. Let's hope the sunglasses line brings more to the table.

DVT in LV

hat Dita Von Teese is one classy broad! Late last week, she was photographed at Heathrow. I have to say that airport shots are my favorite of all paparazzi photos. I know its when I would least like to be photographed. Ms. Von Teese looks none too pleased either.

At least she has those Louis Vuitton Desmayo sunglasses to block out the flash.

[Source: SuperiorPics]

DESMAYO
The lightweight and rimless Desmayo model is decorated with four Monogram flowers which have been pierced into each lens and lined with golden ink, and golden Monogram flowers fixed on the lenses. [Source: Louis Vuitton]

While those pierced Monogram flowers are charming, so help you if you actually use these glasses for sunning yourself. That'd be a heck of a tanline!

TopShop Daily Fix

oday's TopShop Daily Fix featured a groovy pair of shades that I just wanted to share with y'all.


Their Daily Fix feed is definitely worth subscribing to. You can do so HERE.




Candy Bag VintageD:
Cost: £16
Colors: Navy Blue
Retailer: TopShop


At the current exchange rate:
16.00 GBP = 31.2192 USD

And that, my friends, you cannot beat with a stick!

Bold Faced Names in Big Shades

arlier this week, Michael Kors hosted his Autumn/Winter 07 Ready-to-Wear line which featured a simple pairing of superlux materials (ie: cashmere and fur) with his signature glamorous Americana sportswear. And of course, some of the biggest names on the American runways.

Cathy Horyn had a similar take on the designer's show in her "Cutting to the Bone Without Angst" review:

"One look at the leggy models at Michael Kors’s show yesterday, at their tweed miniskirts, their luxe urban parkas, crocodile bags and swinging clean hair, and you sort of felt the designer was saying: “Oh, let’s not make it complicated. Decadence? Moral decay? Embrace it!”

The show was good clean fun, with the emphasis on classic fabrics like flannel and herringbone done in sexy shapes. A chestnut cable-knit cashmere dress spilled off the shoulders, and there were fur-trimmed parkas in Prince of Wales nylon as well minidresses and shrugs. It was Kors light and easy."

[Source: NYTimes]

And the shades! While there was nothing revolutionary here -- men in aviators, oversized Jackie O's for the ladies -- the sunglasses enhanced the overall Aspen-chic feel of the show.

[Source: Style.com]
1. Hilary Rhoda; 2. Freja Beha Erichsen; 3. Doutzen Kroes; 4. Behati Prinsloo; 5. Chanel Iman; 6. Raquel Zimmermann and Caroline Winberg backstage; 7. Anouck Lepère; 8. Coco Rocha; 9. Emina Cunmulaj; 10. Mr. Kors himself.

A similar (but not identical) look by Mr. Kors is available for less than $100 on his website:
Cost: $80
Colors: Black, Green, Tortoise
Retailer: MichaelKors.com

March 2007 Elle: Jessica Simpson

y Elle arrived yesterday, and as I'm sure you are aware, little miss (not so) newly-unwed Jessica Simpson adorns its cover. The article is not really worth the time it takes to read, but the accompanying photo shoot was alright in a Malibu Barbie does high fashion sort of way.

It featured Ms. Simpson in a sunglasses brand that often forget: Chrome Hearts. They don't have an online presence and the shades are typically only available in their boutiques. Watch out for their fakes on eBay!

[Source: Elle]

This pair retails for $495 and doesn't seem to be particularly distinct. I'm not impressed, y'all!

Precious Moments

ight about now, I think we could all go for a brief respite from all the glamour and poise of Fashion Week. Below, please find the antidote.

I'm not sure what it is about a lady in her curlers in public, but it will never fail to make me chuckle. An underage star fresh out of rehab smoking away in her curlers? Just what I was looking for.

[Source: SuperiorPics]

We've seen these Dior Aviadior 1 shades on Ms. Lohan before. [See: Anglomania] But I like to see such a noted clotheshorse recycle a piece -- it makes me feel as though the sunglasses are actually her possession, not something tossed at her by a harried stylist.

Cost: $160
Colors: Dark Burgundy, Black, Tortoise
Retailer: Otticanet.com



I Know Who Killed Me is going to be met with showers of critical acclaim. I can already tell.

Thakoon Unveiled

hakoon's showing at the tents this week gave us further insight into his highly publicized sunglasses debut. But do the shades seen on the runway live up to his promise of "quirky" sunglasses "with a distinct personality"? [See: Thakoon Rising]


Below, models Hye Park, Alona and Honorine Uwera showcase the frames.

[Source: Style.com]

I like the styles a lot, but with that said, I'm reserving final judgment until I see the entire line.

UPDATE: Luella's Catwalk

n my opinion, the endearingly goofy pictures taken backstage at fashion shows are often much more interesting than the actual runway photos. I came across this one of dear old Agyness Deyn on Fashionista, modeling those bold cat-eye frames and had to share.

They're a bit more dramatic than I had pictured from the runway shots, no? [See: Luella's Catwalk]



Fashionista's "The Girls of Luella!" post has more terrific behind-the-scenes snaps. The blog itself is totally bookmark-worthy.

Karen Walker's Caped Crusaders

ith her second New York runway show, Karen Walker has confirmed her place among our fashion elite. Her chosen themes have also proven to be the most exciting and well thought out we have seen. Last season, the premier of Ms. Walker's sunglasses line was inspired by 1970s dictators. [See: Karen Walker's Eyewear Debut]

She seems to have outdone herself with this runway show, fashioned after 1930s comicbook superheroines. In the words of Style.com, "Such a whimsical starting point could have translated into runway disaster, but Walker knows how to finesse a slightly off-kilter theme."

[Source: Style.com]

The clothes do have a Dick-Tracy-meets-Tess-Trueheart feel to them and I cannot help but love how the shades fit so perfectly with the rest of the showing. These are precisely the sunglasses I would wear if I was out to save the Depression Era world.

Which isn't to say they don't have a modern feel. Their bright hues are perfectly in tune with the current fashion moment and their pop-art element gives them a fresh edge.

Home Sweet Swag

carlett Johansson can finally put those pesky homeless rumors to rest. On Saturday, the actress was given a year-long lease to a swanky $1.5 million apartment in South Beach.

I for one am shocked -- shocked! -- that celebrity swag has grown to such astronomical levels as to now include lux housing. Okay, I am not surprised at all, but I do wonder if Ms. Johansson will ever spend the night there. She looks happy enough (although, who frowns when holding an oversized check?). And certainly stylish, as she continues to ride the Wayfarer trend.

[Source: People]

Ray-Ban Wayfarers:
Cost: $101
Colors: Black*
Retailer: Otticanet

*I know, I know. There are more colors (supercool white and red models, see: Jane Says) available at Sunglasses Hut, but these are $30 cheaper. Try them on anywhere, then order them online and save.