Sep

6

Oliver Peoples, Versatility in One Brand

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It is rare to find one brand that offers something that can appeal to a wide range of people. What other brand could both Rihanna and Zach Efron both adore but Oliver Peoples. Rihanna was photographed recently in the OP Wilder shades that give her look even more of an edge and traditional appeal. The size of the lenses is perfect on her petite face and the boldness of the colors and clean lines draws attention to the sunnies and actually makes her neon orange hair look normal.

She has long been experimental with fashion, and especially so with sunglasses. Whenever Rihanna leaves the house she makes it into the tabloids or fashion magazines because of her edgy look. Despite this, her sensual voice and soft, feminine features manage to shine through, even in these Oliver People’s sunglasses and despite her shaved, orange hair do.

Meanwhile, Zach Efron wears his OP Wilder shades to give himself an entirely different look. On him, they look edgy and clean, like a man on safari or about to jump on his motorcycle. Though a rising star in Hollywood, Efron need to make himself stand out as much as possible. With a simple dress shirt and unkempt hair, the Oliver People’s sunglasses give a bad boy image to the overall look. Because of his youthful and boyish features, Efron has to work hard to make himself look manly and more adult. His roles will become typecast in the same manner as the infamous Jonathan Taylor Thomas if he isn’t careful about how he markets himself off screen.

Aug

23

Tom Ford Summer Sunnies

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Tom Ford sunglasses have always been iconic, but this summer their resurgence into pop culture, especially with the Hollywood and Milan elites, has been surprising. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston—A listers both, are hardly caught without them these days. B-list celebs are taking the cue and enjoying minor mentions in the fashion magazines as a result. No minor celebrity is taking the chance of not having a pair of classic Tom Ford sunnies in their wardrobe this summer.

Simplicity was the key. Tom Ford kept a series of traditional designs and built off of these designs with only minor alterations over the years. Essentially, the Tom Ford sunglasses that are popular today are not unlike the Tom Ford craze ten years ago. The minor difference is in the color options, and a bit more frill in the more recent designs than in earlier versions.

In a complex time like this, with the global recession, several ongoing wars, and a pile of recent celebrity deaths, the fashion world has turned toward the tried and true rather than extreme innovation. Perhaps the fashion industry finds solace in a return to nostalgic fashions like clean, clear lines and simple color schemes complimented by minor upgrades or adjustments.

So, with all the summer hype over Tom Ford sunglasses, the real question is if you should be buying a pair, or holding out for a new trend. There are two ways of addressing that fashion question. On the one hand you don’t want to appear to be a mere follower of fashion. On the other hand, to miss a massive trend like this could signal that you are out of touch with the flow of the industry. Really, that choice is up to you.

Aug

9

Police Sunglasses…. For Women

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Police sunglasses are decidedly a men’s fashion statement. With huge names in their male advertising scheme like Antonio Bandaras, George Clooney and Justin Timberlake, it’s no wonder men are flocking to these attractive, sleek and modern designs. But what about women? Can and should women wear men’s eyewear designs?

Many men choose Police sunglasses not for their massively sucesfull and alluring ad campaigns, but because Police sunglasses are designer style without being cheeky or covered in bright colors or oversized logos. For the most part, men’s fashion excels at understating the obvious and playing up simplicity to the point of perfection. Police sunglasses have mastered the art of casual seduction with their latest men’s line, but should women attempt to make the look work for them?

There are two primary concerns regarding women wearing men’s designs. First, the frames are slightly bigger allowing for larger male heads (most women reading this are, naturally, thinking of a male they know with a big ego after that last statement). Because women have thinner and smaller heads, the men’s sunglasses might not fit comfortably or stably. Additionally, men’s eyes will be ever so slightly further apart so the gap between the lenses will be slightly bigger. For smaller women, this may make them unwearble. So, before you buy your men’s sunglasses for yourself, ladies, try on a few pairs to make sure they fit comfortably and that sunlight does not stream in around the lenses (defeating the point of having sunglasses in the first place).

Jul

14

Ten Hottest Summer Sunglasses

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Carrera. These are, of course, always in style. But more recently Carrera shades have made it off the beaches and into cinema. You can see these shades, and similar ones, in such films as Iron Man, they have adapted from purely surfer’s wear to a chic urban option as well. (Paris Hilton seen in Carrera in image).

Emporio Armani. Always hot, Armani has made a splash this summer with their 2010 line. Not always the classy black shades you imagine, Armani has something for every style fanatic, and the diversity of the new line is a firm step in the right direction for Armani.

Versace. For women, there are very few designers more aware of the female form, or more focused on enhancing natural beauty with fashion. For the true diva, Versace has always been a top choice, this summer is no different.

Jimmy Choo. For the urban elite, Jimmy Choo has managed to steal some of the limelight only Prada used to enjoy. His shoe, purse and eyewear designs are legendary, bold and in high demand. Expect to see a lot of Jimmy Choo in the coming months.

Chloe. Always feminine, always cute. These summer shades are ideal for beach time, casual relaxing with friends or a first date. The designs are adorable, and because they are designed for women, they don’t overly crowd the face.

Bvlgari. For elegance, charm and simplicity, there is nothing more stable than Bvlgari for a nice yacht ride, a long summer drive, or even an elegant trip to the race track. The women’s line is simple and yet elegant while the men’s line infuses masculinity and rustic grace into a final product that is definitely lust worthy.

MiuMiu. Only an offshoot of Prada could have earned such fame and renown in such a short amount of time. MiuMiu is incredibly popular with a younger, more vibrant crowd of urban and rural dwellers. The simple designs of Prada have been infused with color and spunk.

Rudy Project. For men, especially serious athletes, military fanatics or sports fans, there is nothing on the market better than Rudy Project. The Israeli military even uses them in their sniper division! Pro athletes from around the globe adore them, and they are sure to be around for quite a while.

Marc Jacobs. The simple and yet memorable designs of Marc Jacobs have always been popular. This summer we expect to see more men then women following the Jacobs trend. The simple sophistication they offer is perfect for the workplace or business as well as casual sport.

Spy. A classical newbie to the summer hot list, these sunnies are a charming new favorite and we’re excited to see what new designs they produce this fall.

Jul

1

Bad asses and Eyeglasses

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What is scarier than a mad scientist with round eyeglasses and plastic gloves that extend past his elbows? Answer—nothing. For most villains and cinematic bas asses, glasses are simply an essential part of the bad ass wardrobe.

To get the bad ass look Matt Damon has here (image) you can pick up a tastefully similar pair of Oliver People eyeglasses. You’ll recall that Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm wears a very similar (and sinister) pair of round glasses throughout his HBO series.

To get the look of Antonio Bandaras in almost every film he stars in (other then Zoro, that is) you can pick up a pair of sexy Police sunglasses. Or, and he wore a similar pair in Spy Kids, Ralph Lauren eyeglasses in gold frames. What could be sexier than a Latin lover who is also intelligent, adventurous and has a designer wardrobe? Answer—again, nothing.

What about George Clooney, whose recent starring role in Up in the Air gave middle aged men hope for their romantic futures as well as a shameless look at the world of mid-range executives. His sunglasses are always classy, gold or brown tinting, and simple. Think Serengeti or Ray Ban, though I’m partial to the more adventurous look of Serengeti’s gentle gold tinting and gradient lens hues.

Finally, the ultimate box office bad ass recently was Iron Man, whose star- Robert Downey Jr., has long been in love with designer eyewear. You’ll find him in several custom designs that you can find similarly in the designer world for less than having them hand-crafted for you in Milan. Carrera is particularly good at making bad ass designs that could make even the cuddliest of men look like a superhero’s alter ego.

Jun

17

Celebrities that make sunnies cool

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Lindsey Lohan in there Dior sunglasses is a great example of a celebrity who has found the perfect look for her face shape and color. Though she wore this getup while appearing before a judge recently on several charges, she still managed to look professional, crisp, clean and most importantly—not like a menace to society! She makes these old-fashioned, throw-back frames look extremely modern, chic and cool. Thanks Lindsey Lohan for giving a nod at fashion the correct way. For a bit more ‘out-there’ coolness, take a look at Elton John’s sunglass-wearing career. From strange piano and sunglasses album covers to random appearances in public and on stage in cool sunnies, he never failed to entertain and impress with his cool eyewear fashion. In the same vein, Bono, from U2, is pretty much famous for his red sunnies. He started wearing them early in his career as a way to block some of the stage glare, and they clung to him like part of his personality.

Finally, an example of someone who makes sunnies look uncool, and completely horrible. You may know and love Lady Gaga, but I’m certainly no fan. While she claims she is rejecting the way our society sees women by dressing and acting in an homogenous way, I think she dresses and acts however she wants and then hires a superstar publicist to come up with rationalizations after the fact. She appeared on Larry King Live on the 1st of June in the most ridiculous sunglasses imaginable. They made her head look like a science experiment. They were simple, round black frames and lenses that blocked her entire face. Whereas Elton John made silly sunglasses fun and cool, Lady Gaga is making them inaccessible and awkward.

Jun

11

Environmentally Friendly Fashion

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For those of you who love nature, care for the environment and want to see a sustainable future for our grandchildren yet still look fashionable and chic—there are finally sunglasses out there that are friendly to your dual purposes. One of the leading contenders in environmentally friendly eyewear is Oakley, whose Gascan line honors the tradition of good fashion as well as sustainability. The frame is made from excess materials left over from the manufacture of other Oakley products, and its bamboo emblem is not only adorable, but also a sustainable resource that has been proven to be better for the environment than plastics or most other kinds of tree. They look chic, clean and the high fashion won’t set you back any carbon points (unless you use air fright, that is). In addition, the sunglasses come in a bamboo, organic certified storage bag. Some of the proceeds even go to a sports-environmental organization.

A lesser known company is working along the same lines by manufacturing entire frames out of bamboo. Kayu also donates $50 of every paid bought to Unite for Sight, a charity aimed at eliminating preventable blindness. Smart Buy Glasses also donates funds from each sale to this worthy cause. (http://www.smartbuyglasses.com/community). Another, very similar company is iWood. Their frames are made from exotic woods hand fashioned by American high school students to help teach them a trade while also earning college credits. The designs are modern, chic and fresh and the frames are smartly crafted with non-toxic glues and high quality products.

Jun

2

Eyewear and Headgear – Simply too much!

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We know celebrities are trying to keep a low profile when out on the town, but that is no excuse for abusing fashion! Look at what too much is doing to Rihanna in these Ray Ban Wayfarer sunnies (image) and hoodie. She looks like a stalker more than a superstar, and that look simply isn’t flattering! There is a right way to do eyewear and headgear, and some of the superstars have got it together…while others of them could take a few lessons in stardom!

So, how to you do the eyewear and headgear combo successfully? Well, you might want to take a lesson from Dita Von Teese on that (image), or Katy Perry—who also does it very successfully. The hat-sunglasses combo is not an easy one to pull off, and it takes real coordination and fashion gusto to even attempt such high-fashion pizzazz.

A few things to consider while trying the hat-sunglasses combo. First, you’ll want to choose one of the two accessories to be the stand out piece and let the secondary piece take the back burner. In addition, you’ll have to prove that you mean business by making this a fashion statement instead of a fashion cop out. More makeup is actually necessary with the combo then less. Look at what Rihanna could have looked like if she had done up her makeup and hair. This would have been a fashionable choice instead of a designer blunder. Finally, if your sunglasses are your stand out item, then you’ll want to make sure they are designer grade. If your hat or other headgear are your headliner item then make it something unique, bold and daring. Otherwise the designer eyewear will outshine the headgear.

May

23

Over-sized Eyewear Still in Style

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au0523.JPGMany of us have been wondering when this over-sized eyewear craze would abate. I’ll be honest, the Miu Miu over-sized look (image here of blonde) just isn’t a look that works for me and I’m not particularly attracted to the fashion sense behind the look. I think they are somewhat bulky and hide the face too much to be a realistic, day-to-day accessory. Nevertheless, I have to admit that people seem to still be crazy for the bug-eye look. People seem to think seeing the world through giant, bottle-sized lenses would be preferable to sleeker, more modern shades and I have to respect their fashion choices. The look has adapted quite a bit over the past two years from the traditional round frames, like the ones seen on Paris Hilton here, to a more square look, like the Louis Vuitton sunnies seen on Demi Moore

au0523_2.JPG(image here of brunette). I think the squared look is much more attractive. It adds depth and charm to Demi’s round face and the color choice really highlights her naturally dark hair and tanned skin tone. Meanwhile, the round look on Paris Hilton serves to make her look like a 12 year old human-fly hybrid. She looks somewhat like Willy Wonka’s offspring in those white, goggle-like frames. Not very attractive, is it?

Ideally, I’d like to see more women embrace the natural curves and looks that suit their particular face shape, hair and skin color and find a look that works for them rather than blindly following what they perceive to be in fashion.

Apr

1

Designer Eyewear for Regular Folks

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au0401.jpgSome people think about designer eyewear, and they immediately think of stuffy, artistic types with snooty friends and rich taste. That is a common misconception of high fashion. Some looks are designed to hyperbolize an actual concept, for example, when Dior puts on a runway show where every model has pointed shoulder pads, they are not actually suggesting that women emulate the look. Instead, they are signifying to ready-to-wear designers that more defined shoulders will be in fashion that year. Yes, high fashion is a concept that was never meant to be worn by regular folks (or by anyone other than models).

If you want to wear designer clothing and look fresh and fashionable, then take hints from the runway, not exact cues. If you see a lot of a single color, you can bet that will be in vogue that year. If you see larger eyewear on runway models, then its safe to keep your oversized Prada sunnies. Think about the practical application of the runway designs and run with that in creative new ways.

Many women see a look they like and wear it, regardless of what is in fashion—and we applaud that because variety is the spice of life and if everyone were in fashion it wouldn’t be fashionable anymore. On the opposite spectrum, some ladies go way too far in trying to stay hip. Take Lady Gaga, for example. While you may see her as a unique jewel in an otherwise bland musical arena, then consider this – most of Lady Gaga’s outfits were done by professional designers and thus her creativity is not very high at all. Find a happy medium between going too far, and not going far enough.

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