Anna-Karin Karlsson
I introduced one of of Anna’s designs in May, and I can’t resist showing this one too. Anna was first attracted to sunglasses when she tried on a style by iconic eyewear creator, Christian Roth. Anna has worked for some time designing bespoke luxury frames for a list of private clients including a few celebrity ones. ‘Rose et La Mer’ has caught the imagination of fashion editors with its super luxury design and asymmetrical lounging leopard. It’s a style based on fantasy, fun and humour! At eyestylist.com we look forward to seeing how Anna follows this imaginative style. It seems like there is a rush on at The Optical Wardrobe (www.theopticalwardobe.com) to buy these and they cost SEK 4500 which is about £435. CN www.annakarinkarlsson.com
Bubbly
Thierry Lasry
Some of you may have noticed that I am a bit of a fan of this label. There is something a bit cheeky about the model Bubbly. Whilst this wonderful vintage-look bug shape would not suit me personally I do think is a great look if you can get away with it. Teamed with this on-trend transparent shocking pink, it’s even better! If you don’t know about Thierry Lasry and you like statement luxury, take a look at www.thierrylasry.com. His clever take on vintage is fun and very creative. Quality of course is paramount and you can always guarantee you are getting the very best acetate, produced by leading Italian producers Mazzucchelli. The brand is available at Liberty (London), and some fine boutiques across the world including Storm in Copenhagen and Galeries Lafayette, Berlin. CN
Toluca
l.a. Eyeworks
The epitomy of eccentric eyewear, I am very delighted to be able to present l.a. eyeworks’ fabulous Toluca sunglass. This chic cat, a must-have shape this summer, comes in a very lush striped acetate, a colour referred to as “Blue Purple Friends”. A typical feature of the plastic frames by this company, Toluca features clever milling (the technique used to cut away layers of the acetate material) to give a contoured brow and a decidedly flirtatious design. A frame to make heads turn “from Hollywood to St. Tropez”. Also available in some other imaginatively named colour choices: “wine and grapes”, “nut butter”, and a real stunner for the ladies, “girly pinks”. www.laeyeworks.com CN
Leonard 3
Illesteva
On first glimpse this looks like a horn style, but it’s actually a lovely acetate style with the look and patterning of buffalo! Handmade in Italy, the shape is a version of the brand’s already iconic Leonard style, with the undersides cut out. Illesteva was founded in 2009 by Daniel Silberman and born-and-raised New Yorker Jus Ske. The designers strive to push normal boundaries of design by exploring fresh shapes and materials like bamboo, titanium and natural horn. A name that is already much favoured by the fashion elite, the brand is now in London at Matches, Browns and Liberty, and at Box in St Tropez, France. The online shop at www.illesteva.com shows the full collection. CN
Goddess / Kinetic Solaire Collection
Kirk Originals
An instant eye-catcher, it’s the original lenticular panel designs of the Kinetic Solaire Collection that have brought this sunglass range particular recognition. While a photo really doesn’t do the effect justice, you can just see the kaleidoscopic rainbow colours of the temple panel decorating model Goddess in the image above. I like the combination of classic oversized shape in traditional tortoise fused with the unexpected futuristic moving imagery. Available in six shapes and four classic colours, white, tortoise (pictured), black and aubergine. Recommended retail price: £269.00. Available from the Kirk Originals flagship store at 6 Conduit Street, London W1, just off Regent’s Street. CN