Entourage of 7
I enjoy finding new labels, and while I haven’t yet worn one of these or had the chance to see the whole line, I am very pleased it has appeared on my desktop. Arcadia is topping my wishlist for 2012…this is a bold thing in red, the slightly articulated, angular design is modified from a 60s cat shape with a lovely deep lens, and it bears no decoration or emblem which seems to serve it very well indeed. If you want your sunnies to combine a very trendy shape for 2012, and preserve a touch of vintage chic and handcrafted originality, this is a style we recommend. Made from Japanese zyl, the frame has top quality, durable 5 barrel hinges and double gradient AR backside coated lenses for a high-level UV protection. The brand Entourage of 7 is located in Los Angeles, and is run by two Danish eyewear designers, Rikke Brogaard and Jakob Talbo, who love 50s and 60s Danish design, and L.A.s laid back style, which is caught in the frames through the choice of warm, playful colours. Frames to look out for. www.eof7.com CN
Alexander Wang AW14C2
Linda Farrow/Alexander Wang collaboration
An aviator that has caught my eye, partly because this shape defines a key mood for next year, but also because this one adds a decorative touch to the metal base with a patterned acetate. An American fashion designer of extraordinary repute who has won countless awards including, in 2011, GQ’s best new menswear designer of the year, Wang’s sunglasses have an edge that send fashion editors into a frenzy…his “extreme” cat eye sunglasses with metal corners were, and still are, a bit of a cult piece for girls. It will be very interesting to see if this one, or any of its sister shapes in the designer’s S/S 2012 range produced with the UK’s Linda Farrow, gets the same buzz this year. Coming soon to the online store at www.lindafarrow.co.uk CN
Metal Charles
Victoria Beckham from Cutler & Gross
This designer sunglass collection is an elegant addition to Ms. Beckham’s fashion collections, and, produced by Cutler and Gross, it seems there is no compromise on quality or style. Metal Charles is possibly the top shape of the collection and will be an editor’s favourite, but we have looked closely at the whole line and love the 1970s theme and crisp white or washed out hues and pastel tones in the collection. Metal Charles combines gold and black metal frames with mink, honey, black and white lenses and are fashionably lightweight and easy-to-wear. Handcrafted in Italy, the collection is made with fine techniques and materials. Each piece reflects the modern considered aesthetic of the Beckham fashion range, and, as we viewed the sunglasses next to the S/S ready-to-wear, we can see that in context the sunglasses add a fresh and effortless elegance to the overall collection. For really lightweight sunnies try the Fine Metal Style, an exercise in featherlight construction, which Victoria has devised to overcome the red marks on the nose, often produced with a heavier or ill-fitting sunglass style. www.victoriabeckham.com CN
Cabriolet Coccinelle
Cabrio Eyewear – Hoet Concept
We first featured Cabrio in February this year and it’s an enduring range with an intriguing use of materials that deserves lots of attention! This model, the Coccinelle, the latest edition in the line, is based around the rimless lens, which is curvaceous and enveloping to fully shade the eyes. The frame itself, like those of the whole range is made of a laminated plastic which is creased, folded or manipulated by hand to create a distinctive lightweight sunglass with a sporty design. Two versions available in three colours, the Coccinelle is out in stores from February. Stockists in the UK include 36 Opticians www.36opticians.co.uk and Schuller Opticians www.schulleropticians.com. For more details go to www.cabrio-eyewear.eu CN
Katida
Vera Wang Sunwear / Salon Spring/Summer 2012
This is one of a few favourite labels from the US. A bold silhouette in smooth acetate, Katida is an exemplary style in the Vera Wang Salon collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Each of the acetate styles in this group are oversized, with features from the 1950s and a touch of Hollywood glamour. Katida is available in tortoise, black, brown or rose, subtly muted tones which are typical here. The style has an effective graduated colour scheme through the front of the frame and will bring instant elegance to everyday style. CN
For more information visit http://kenmarkoptical.com/FrameDetail.aspx?fid=341322&nm=Katida For information about the New York designer Vera Wang go to www.verawang.com/lifestyle/eyewear