Playing Catch Up: Spring 2011

On holiday last week, I missed the updates on the New York shows in their entirety, which means I'm leap years behind on my internet reading. Flashy will get their updates as I do -- and where better to start than Marc Jacobs.

[Photos: Style.com]

His Spring/Summer 2011 glossy runway show last week was devoted to 1970s retro splendor full-stop.  And the sunglasses were no exception.  The collection's oversized sunnies were brightly hued tortoise shells with drop-temple arms. (BTW "drop-temple" sunglasses' arms curve downward to meet the frame at the bottom of the lens.  Like these Balenciagas.)  Love.

A Note on Fashion Week

I know, I know. The New York Fashion Week Spring 2011 shows start tomorrow. And I'm as excited as the next blogger. But I'm leaving for Rome tomorrow and won't be as devoted to the show pictures as I would normally be. Enjoy it, flashies.

Athletic Supporters: Staple X Oakley

In a move sure to make hipsters' eyewear dreams come true, Oakley has released two pairs of sunglasses from their collaboration with Jeff Staple, a graphic artist/branding expert/ultra-hip gallery owner (the Lower East Side's Reed Space). The Staple X Oakley Collection will consist of six pairs, each influenced by a particular sport with optics accessories.

The first two models are the Eyeshade (as shown at left) and Radar, inspired by tennis and golf respectively. The Eyeshades come complete with tennis ball fuzz, while the Radar's yellow lenses have a special coating to prevent virtually anything (sweat, pollen, etc.) from sticking.

The newly released models are available in limited numbers -- only 150 pairs worldwide -- at Reed Space and at some Oakley retailers.

The hyper-stylized collection will appeal to neon-loving athletes and non-athletes alike, but the New York Times' T Magazine insists they're still good enough for the pros: "the British Open golf champion, Louis Oosthuizen, won wearing the Staple x Oakley Radars."

For more pictures, check out The Freshness Mag's coverage.

NYC: Ksubi on Sale!

Hey New York Australiaphiles: there will be a massive sale at Ksubi's Soho store (219 Mulberry Street, between Prince and Spring Streets) starting on Friday. With everything from leather jackets to (of course) sunglasses marked down to less than $75, its worth swinging by if you're in the neighborhood. Refinery29 has all the details on the the sale.

I'd be hoping for the Skeleton Sunglasses above, but as they're from this Spring that may be wishful thinking. For those of you not on the island, you can pick up your pair on gooptic.com for $200.

Ray-Ban "Rare Prints": NYC Subway Edition

In a stroke of genius, Ray-Ban lined the inside of their classic Wayfarers with the iconic Michael Hertz-designed New York City subway map for their "Rare Prints" series. Williamsburg hipsters will never be lost again. Seriously though, I need to own these.

[Source: FrenchTruckers.com]

The RB2140 Ray-Ban Metro Wayfarers can be found on Ray-Ban.com for $159.

Catherine Malandrino Casts Vote for Selima Sunnies

Catching up with my New York Times T Style Magazine, I came across a profile of Catherine Malandrino's entirely charming life. "Expatriot Games" details how she splits her time between New York and Paris, because she wants "to keep discovery and curiosité in mind." And who can blame her?

While stateside, the designer has quite the collection of accomplished friends. Among them is Selima Salaun, New York's favorite sunglasses impresario and the woman behind Selima Optique. Says Malandrino:

"I have over 200 of her sunglasses, she knows my face better than anyone."

That's quite the collection! I'm officially jealous.

[Photo: "NYTimes"]

Best of the Best: Carolina Herrera

Though I'm still making my way through the New York show photos, I'm confident that this pair of Carolina Herrera sunglasses (as modeled by Lily Donaldson, at right) will be one of my favorite pairs of the season.

The sunnies shown in this runway show were as elegant as the clothing itself.

[Photos: Style.com]

Up Close: Zac Posen

Model Bette Franke wears a seemingly art deco-inspired update on last season's clear trend at last week's Spring 2009 Zac Posen runway show. Swanky.


[Photo: Style.com]

Best of New York

udging by my internet history, nymag.com is my most beloved site on the entire world wide web. And this week they've released everyone's favorite edition, The Best of New York. The magazine named Oliver Peoples as the preeminent shades store:

"It’s been around for years, but Oliver Peoples takes the business of fitting frame to face seriously. The sales staff drills you on the clothes you wear, how tan you get during the summer, and whether there are parts of your face you want to downplay or draw attention to. While you’re answering, they’re watching your hair, face shape, and eyes to ensure they suggest glasses that enhance rather than detract. The handcrafted tortoise Ilsas ($350) are big, chic, and beach-worthy without being obnoxious, while frames like the eighteen-karat-gold, rimless OP-678s ($1,900) seem to float on the face."

[Source: NYMag]

Countdown 3.1

A source of trepidation: the sunglasses debut of Phillip Lim's 3.1 line.

The Kitt Aviators, ($240) as seen at right, and the rest of the range will hit the runway at Lim's Sunday night show. The remainder of the collection will range from $180 to $325 and will only be available at his SoHo showroom.

[Source: FabSugar]

Today in the Sartorialist

love this girl's look in The Sartorialist's "On The Street.........Mid-Afternoon Sparkle, NYC."

[Source: Sartorialist]

Viva Forever

y best girl, Victoria Beckham, was here in New York at home, sweet, Saks Fifth Avenue this week to promote her DvB style. [My best girl, you say? I dare you to disagree.]



[Source: GossipRocks]

Shopbop.com offers a selection of DvB style shades. Enjoy!