Style spotlight

SUNGLASSES: smart and savvy

Amsterdam Art Deco inspiration: Suzy Glam Decorates

By Joan Grady

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon, Steve McQueen, Sir Elton John, Joseph F. Biden and Anna Wintour are among the iconic and famous people known for their sunglass style.

The quintessential aviator, the glamorous, voluminous silhouette, mirrored lenses, statement square shapes, seductive cat-eye designs and cool flat top sunglasses are among the archetypal designs worn by musicians, politicians, actors and fashion luminaries. The powerful impact of sunglasses extends to the general public who avidly follow former – as well as current and trending – style makers.

With positive projections for spring and summer 2021, and the anticipation of people travelling again, designers and manufacturers demonstrate their mettle and initiative with a captivating array of sun specs that will emphatically appeal to the independent optician’s clientele. Styles, colours, shapes and materials manifest creativity as well as imagination – with priorities on quality, craftsmanship and construction.

RETRO INSPIRATIONS From rock stars to royalty and trendsetters to tech geeks, tortoiseshell eyewear embraces perennial allure. Eyespace Eyewear has just launched a stunning new design in its Cocoa Mint collection: a retro masterpiece in tortoiseshell with golden amber hues. The full square shape –CMS2082 – unifies the timeless trend for vintage flashbacks that represents cultural aesthetics particularly of the 1960s and 70s.

A revival of much-loved retro shapes and nostalgic colour palettes highlights the allnew Sun21 collection by Silhouette. Comfort, lightness and total UV protection unite with Silhouette’s specialist craftsmanship in five smart shapes for men and women.

The Austrian brand reinterprets the sporty aviator – style 8730 – that combines a more rounded lens and a slick double bridge in gold with contrasting accents. The frame is also available in gunmetal, coupled with an all-black design, and mirrored lenses are also featured. Silhouette’s Accent Shades designs were introduced in 2019 and have enjoyed soaring popularity since.

A profusion of sunshine in Brazil most likely inspires Ana Hickmann’s voluminous, charismatic sunglasses. The latest collection from the Brazilian creator, distributed by Go Eyewear, confirms the importance of supersized frames. Style AH9317 dazzles in a squared octagon shape with an acetate front and slender metal temples.

Inspirational and imaginative styles are hallmarks of Suzy Glam designs. Each frame is crafted with exemplary care and attention to detail. Timeless materials, innovative technology and Suzy’s creative ability to merge past and present, reflect quiet elegance, refinement and confidence. Suzy Glam Decorates is a Limited Edition design inspired by the Amsterdam Art Deco

Sporty aviator: Style 8730 from the Silhouette Sun21 collection Vintage allurs: Cocoa Mint model CMS2082 from Eyespace

Colour contrasts: Ambiance by Jeremy Tarian

movement called Amsterdamse School. Gold-mirrored lenses shimmer in the acetate frame that is packaged in a protective pouch, handmade individually by Suzy.

SERENADES IN SILHOUETTES Colour contrasts highlight the new sun styles by Parisian designer Jeremy Tarian, who with the touch of the maestro fuses soft characteristics with courageous concepts. Bold and distinguished, a dash of colour spotlights the contemporary shape of Ambiance, with a streak of blue on white, or navy blue on vivid red. With Tarian’s commitment to sustainability and consideration for the environment, all his designs are crafted in the Jura region of France, which has a renowned tradition of spectacle making since the 18th century.

Luminous yellow is among the colours of the year for 2021, and Flash by Face à Face Paris is a dynamic play of transparency that dazzles with a streak of lemon yellow on crystal acetate. The generously proportioned sunglasses contemplate elegant contours, allure, mystery and illusion. Design director Pascal Jaulent translates his love of contemporary design and architecture into eyewear with precision and inimitable Parisian style, which translates fashionably on an international stage. Among the fashion brands worn by the Duchess of Cambridge is LK Bennett. Linda Bennett is a Londoner with a love of fashion and accessories; she designed the shoes worn by the Duchess of Cornwall for her wedding to the Prince of Wales. Her multiple talents include spectacle frames for Continental Eyewear, and the latest designs feature trim, slim designs in metal and acetate. LKBSun27 with its smooth cateye form in creamy cappuccino acetate is coupled with metal sides, and is produced in tortoiseshell.

Vienna’s Neubaugasse section of the former imperial capital is an exciting hub; a vibrant district that boasts bountiful vintage shopping and fun flea markets. Capturing the feel and mood of Vienna’s history and trendy direction, Neubau Eyewear fuses magnetism, quality and lustrous acetate in Adam in glossy ruby red. The bold shape incorporates state-of-the-art technical acumen and perceptive style.

CREATIVITY WITH METALS Classic, lyrical fluid shapes are masterfully re-interpreted in various metals into updated, timeless forms that are comfortable and easy to wear. Irish designer Paul Costelloe’s new sun collection, distributed by Dunelm Optical, highlights a contemporary, slim round shape in metal, with a distinctive edged rim available in gold, silver and black. Streamlined and sleek, Paul Costelloe Sun104 also sports a delicate, curved nose bridge.

Titanium technology, with its lightweight yet sturdy features, is among the memorable highlights in Salt Optics’ sun specs collection. Henderson is a sleekly contoured frame, and elegantly streamlined to fit securely and comfortably, plus demonstrating cool style savvy with polarised CR39 lenses. The frame is available in four striking colour combinations: antique gold with deep brown lenses, black sand with denim lenses, and antique silver with CR39 G15 lenses.

For more than 20 years, Copenhagen based Ørgreen Optics has crafted eyewear and sunglasses primarily in titanium and betatitanium. Handcrafted in Japan, the latest innovation from the Danish label is Quantum, made from titanium and polyamide. The new style introduces an unseen hinge technology for further comfort and character. Colour combinations and frame shapes are stylish, unique and distinctive.

A new year is an overture to fresh starts, new beginnings and limitless possibilities. Independent opticians can seize the moment to alert customers to the impressive and exciting sunglass collections for spring and summer. Innovation, creativity, incredible craftsmanship, enhanced safety and stunning selections –along with a positive mindset – can make it a great year.

Cat-eye charm: LK Bennett LKBSun27

Vienna vibrancy: Adam in glossy ruby red by Neubau Titanium perspective: Henderson by Salt Optics

Danish distinction: Quantum Sun by Ørgreen Optics