KAREN WALKER Eyewear (Unisex)

From Twilight & New Moon to True Blood, Vampire Dairies, & now Vlad & Dark Shadows, perhaps you've heard that vampires are all the rage these days.
The nocturnal creatures with a hunger for hemoglobin have conquered all forms of pop culture & can currently be found holding court everywhere from bookstores to TV, multiplex screens, even fashion.
As the vampire obsession continues, the cold ones have inspired yet another designer: Karen Walker.
Hugely talented, the Kiwi designer has already blessed the public with her sartorial panache & effortless wit. Now she's presented her 5th season of eyewear collection -- cheerfully & perfectly themed "Celebrate the Sun" -- with a Derek Kettela-shot ad campaign that’s so fun & ingenious, it’s probably left many a designer cursing "Now why didn't I think of that?". (OK, we may be a little biased considering our ongoing obsession with the bloodsuckers hehe, but seriously, don't you think the concept's so bloody cute you can't help but wanna grow fangs just to match up to the campaign?)
Vamp teeth aside, Walker's sunglasses are anything but eerie. Quirky & stylish, with innovative nods to the past, this collection of UV protective gear definitely has something for everyone, from the traditionalist to the trend setter, even the most sun-phobic vampire ;-)

Karen Walker
Although she may not be on a first-name basis with us yet (like Calvin, Marc & Ralph), Karen Walker is one of New Zealand's shiniest exports. Walker started her clothing line with NZ$100 -- material for a T-shirt. Today, the designer (who cites the quirky heroines of The Breakfast Club & Annie Hall as muses) has earned a dedicated worldwide following with her whimsical clothing, eyewear & jewellery line -- oh, & paint colours & other lifestyle products, too.

Karen Walker eyewear enjoys a cult following with artists & personalities such as Alexa Chung, Craig Nicholls, Beth Ditto & Cory Kennedy.


Karen Walker's previous eyewear collection, dubbed "Masters of Disguise", was also wonderfully goofy, with photos of people wearing her shades, along with cheap-looking fright wigs (for the ladies) & ridiculously fake beards/mustaches (for the guys) in order to disguise their identity &, one presumes, avoid the paparazzi. Hi-larious!
This 'undercover detective disguises' take actually inspired the editor of hip New York-based publication Paper Magazine to base an entire issue (themed 'Pretend') around the collection.


This past March, Barbie Millicent Roberts -- yes, the Barbie, who over the past five decades has played muse to more than 70 legends of the international fashion community including Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hermès & Patricia Field -- is the latest in a long line of famous women to be dressed by Karen Walker.
Walker was exclusively commissioned by toy-maker Mattel, in honour of the doll's 50th anniversary this year.

Well, if you're still reading, thanks for reading this super-long post!