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!

A Vast Improvement

et's give Ashlee Simpson a big round of applause for looking much, much better than when we last checked in with her. She still has a bizarre penchant for those knitted hat things, though. Below, she was photographed while shopping in Los Angeles on Sunday.

[Source: GossipRocks]

She is wearing Marc Jacobs Scott MJ 016 sunglasses:
Cost: $167 - $180
Colors: Grey, Black, Brown, Blue, Gold
Retailer: Otticanet


Once again, it seems she's taken a page from big sis Jess' book. Jessica Simpson (along with a slew of other celebrities) was photographed wearing these Marc Jacobs aviators earlier this fall. [See: Who Doesn't Have These MJ's?, Heidi Strolls For Two, Lindsay Takes Her MJ's Out For a Spin]

Who Doesn't Have These MJs?

hotographed a week ago in Beverly Hills in black leather boots, jacket and Fendi Spy Bag, Jessica Simpson looked quite biker-chick-chic.

We've seen her shades before.

[Source: SweetKisses]

First there was Lindsay. [See: Lindsay Takes Her MJ's Out For a Spin]

Then came Heidi. [See: Heidi Strolls for Two]

Next in line to model the MJ 016/S shades:
Cost: $151
Colors: Silver, Black, Gold, Brown, Blue
Retailer: Otticanet

Someone at least get them in blue, will you?

Jessica, like, Loves Logos

essica Simpson, who is increasingly becoming the Imelda Marcos of sunglasses, left her New York City hotel on Thursday and made her way on over to one of many celebrity gifting lounges centering around the VMAs.


More on swag tomorrow. For now, here is Jessica's generally over-accessorized head.
[Source: GossipRocks]


She loves Dior! Who doesn't?

These Dior Extralight 1 sunglasses are not available on Christian Dior's officially authorized web-dealer, eluxury.com. They are, however, available in Christian Dior boutiques, including the 57th Street location here in Manhattan.

Cost: $220
Colors: White, Red, Magenta (as seen at right), and Black (as seen on Jess)
Retailer: Exclusively available in Christian Dior boutiques.

While I am not in love, per se, with these, the red hues have grown on me a bit. I was, however, very impressed with the Dior Customer Service line which answered after but one ring and had an answer for me in a jiffy.

For US customers, you can order Dior by phone (or ask silly questions about Jessica Simpson, like I did) by calling their customer service:

1-800-929-DIOR

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.

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

Love is Blinding

ove, clockwise from top left:




Avril and some dude she married. [source]
Jessica Simpson* and her talented extentionist. [source]
Keira Knightley with a fellow named rupert. [source]
Paris Hilton and Stava#@$&(*. [source]


When did famous girls start hanging out with such nerds? I'm upset.
I can, at least, console myself with the thought that their eyes are protected.


*Personally, my favorite is still Jessica in the Gucci 1510/S:

They've been on the market for quite some time now, but you can pick up a pair now at a significant discount here at framesdirect.com.
Cost: $150-200
Colors: Beige, Black (as seen on Jessica), Dark opal, Rose opal
Retailer: framesdirect.com, eyesave.com, apairofshades.com