TOM FORD Sunglasses

Paparazzi-worthy glamour? Yes, it is achievable and you don’t have to sell your soul shell out for a top stylist to get it. Instead, look to Tom Ford sunglasses (for him as well as her).

A luxurious updating of classic designs, these directional shades from the King of Sexiness have been made to exceptional standards with a sleek feel and pin-sharp finish. An essential for confident, modern cool on bright days in the city.

Korean super stars Kang Ji-Hwan and Jang Hyuk rocking their Tom Ford aviators.

Tom Ford’s iconic criss-cross design frame gets an update in a sleeker silhouette.

Hot Designer Alert! CHRONICLES OF NEVER (Australia)

Australian designer Gareth Moody is a name likely to trigger the memory for his part in fashion's bad boy trio, Tsubi/Ksubi. In 2005, Moody left Ksubi to forge his own path with Chronicles of Never.
Marking a departure from the rock-n-roll canon of Ksubi, Chronicles of Never derives both its name and aesthetic from - but of course - Neverland, a fake reality, and the dream-like state and ‘other-worldliness’ one associates with such a concept. As Moody describes it, Chronicles of Never is " loosely based upon mathematics and heavily influenced by architecture and geometrics, big manga dreams and a love for industrial material".

In the initial stages of launching Chronicles of Never, Moody had a ‘non-compete’ clause in his contract with Ksubi, limiting his ability to create certain clothing items. That has since lapsed, allowing Gareth to apply his knowledge and skills to fully develop Chronicles of Never into a mainstay fashion line, with men’s and (newly launched) women’s ranges, bespoke shoes, and a highly-praised collaboration with Graz Eyewear (the label of Graeme Mulcahy, another former Ksubi alum). Judging by the support from fans and admirers, the ongoing success of Chronicles of Never is definitely no fake reality.


In keeping with the label's sensibilities, Chronicles of Never eyewear plays with colour or rather lack of color. The frames tend to use dark tones - black, and tortoise, with gradient or darkly tinted lenses, and strong geometric styles. Edgy and sophisticated, there is something very grown-up about these unisex sunglasses -- a mood that subtly says "don't screw with me". Each frame is a LIMITED EDITION, so don't wait too long!
(RRP £229 ~ £275)

KAREN WALKER EYEWEAR (New York)

What's the one must-have Summer item? Beach home, fast car, luxe yacht? Nope. It's statement sunglasses - specifically, Karen Walker's statement shades. Indeed, few things really make a statement like a bold pair of Karen Walker's somewhat unusual but definitely distinctive eyewear. '80s avant garde, oversized glamazon, tastefully chunky, quirkily round -- take your pick, these cool unisex sunnies are just the Summer fashion fix you've been hankering for.

KAREN WALKER
New Zealand-born, New York-based Karen Walker has a reputation for designs "that provide a means of appearing cool but not trying too hard". A reoccurring theme in her work is taking extremes and pushing them together -- masculine and feminine, tailored and street, luxury and non-luxury, dark and super-cute. Karen Walker's creations celebrate the anti "it girl" -- characters like Ally Sheedy's heavy-fringed weirdo in 'The Breakfast Club', not the beautiful girl in the room, but the interesting one. These extremes reflect particularly heavily in her eyewear collection as an ongoing reference.

ONLY 3 Days Left: Save 20% Off Select Watches & Eyewear

Good morning, dear friends.
We're having a 'save 20% special' off select watches, sunglasses, and optical frames - but the hourglass is fast running out. The promotion is only on for 3 MORE DAYS.
So hurry on over and take advantage of this awesome deal before the month ends!

ELIZABETH AND JAMES Sunglasses

It's the Monday morning after Christmas, how are you doing?
If you’re planning on heading into work with a wicked hangover, let us respectfully recommend these Elizabeth and James options for hiding your identity and keeping a low profile from your boss and coworkers :-)
It does seem a little surprising that two ladies who practically started the over-sized, bug-eyed, hide-your-entire-face-behind-designer-shades trend a few years back is only just now launching their own line of sunglasses, but better late than never, right?
To start with, the collection will be comprised of just two unisex styles: the Fairfax, inspired by the trendy cat-eye silhouette, and the Hudson, based on by the classic aviator shape. Both are created out of acetate, high-nickel and stainless steel.
For those who like pieces not seen everywhere and anywhere, the Olsen twins are kicking off the launch with a Limited Edition style fitted with… wait for it… 24K gold mirror lenses. (Talk about a gilded life!)
Now you’re all set to block out the sun with these fashion-forward sunnies, which have the added bonus of allowing you to nap on the job unnoticed, post-festivities.
(RRP US$185 ~ US$375)

LINDA FARROW EYEWEAR - Part 1

Iconic eyewear maker Linda Farrow’s collections seem to be forever expanding:-

1. Linda Farrow Luxe, designed by Simon Jablon (son of the late Linda Farrow) and partner Tracy Sedino, is all about being uncompromisingly luxurious with materials of the highest order.

2. Linda Farrow Collaborations is created together with the highest echelons of the fashion brigade: Alexander Wang, Yohji Yamamoto, Raf Simons, Dries Van Noten, Veronique Branquinho, and Eley Kishimoto among them.

3. Linda Farrow Projects is where the brand pairs up with younger designers and celebrities, allowing emerging talents like Peter Pilotto, daviddavid, Jeremy Scott, House of Holland, Gaspard Yurkievich and more to develop and showcase their creativity.

Under # 2 (Linda Farrow Collaborations), the list of guest designers now reads like a 'Who's Who' of fashion. The resulting fantasy shades are so cool, you'll be halfway tempted to wear them round the clock, rain or shine!
(Many of the models are unisex.).

• These wayfarer-shaped zipper frame sunglasses by Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow Collaborations are topping fashionista lists all over the globe.
(Just last month, Wang’s success in creating sharp and stylish accessories that belie their casual appearance won him the coveted 2010 CDFA Swarovski Award for Accessory Design.)
(RRP €285.00)

Nicky Hilton is one socialite who was instantly wooed by the zipper shades. (Her mini duffel bag is, of course, also by Alexander Wang.)

• The Yohji Yamamoto x Linda Farrow Collaborations limited edition, unisex sunglasses collection, named “Prototype”, is an expression of the functional, unadorned nature of industrial prototyping -- a phase of manufacturing which precedes mass production.
With retro-inspired pick-pointed square frames and sexy gradient lens, these Prototype shades have that dramatic style without looking too exaggerated. A definite appeal to someone seeking an audience :-)
(RRP €300.00)


• Creative director of Jil Sander and his own eponymous lines, Belgian-born Raf Simons is one of the most influential menswear designer of the last decade. As a key figure of “Antwerp Six”, a revolutionary fashion movement that still holds considerable sway in fashion, his effect on the way young men dress cannot be overstated -- even if he is rather unknown outside the small world of European men's fashion.
Simons’ limited edition collection for Linda Farrow Collaborations includes the ever-irresistible aviator style for the gents. With smokey grey graduated lens and metal arms, nose bar and bridge, these shades embody perfect masculine elegance.
(RRP £165.00)


• Yet another Belgian talent that flies somewhat under the radar in these parts, Dries van Noten is the third generation in a family of garment makers and traders. Between the two world wars, his grandfather reworked second-hand clothes and introduced Antwerp to the concept of ready-to-wear. His father owned stores that sold menswear by Ungaro, Ferragamo and Zegna; at the same time, his mother ran a franchised Cassandre boutique and collected antique lace and linen. Van Noten’s family background virtually ensured that he too was well-placed to become a member of the “Antwerp Six”.
This cat-eyes shades from Linda Farrow Collaborations by Dries van Noten has rounded frames with a deep bridge and wide arms and comes in a host of colours.
(RRP €259.99)

KSUBI Eyewear

Sunglasses are like jeans & shoes -- meaning you can never have too many (haha)! Here’s another shades line you must have at this moment: Ksubi.
Founded in 2000 by a collective comprising of rag-tag Aussie surfers, Ksubi quickly grew into Down Under's favourite jeans/streetwear company. Apart from a slight hiccup due to alleged trademark infringement (you can read about it here: "Tsubo sues Tsubi, and Ksubi is born"), the re-christened label has gone from strength to strength. Today Ksubi does more than just ultra-hip denim, making also unisex eyewear that transfers the brand's signature style -- fresh, artistic, with a healthy dose of attitude & humour -- onto your peepers.
The first letter in both 'Ksubi' (as well as its earlier name 'Tsubi') has always been silent, so that 'Ksubi' is pronounced as "soobie" in Australian accents, & "suebee" in the USA.

The brand's eccentric ad campaign (09/10) seems to suggest that no matter what you carry on your head or wear as clothing, Ksubi sunglasses will be the first thing others notice about you.

Some of their designs may be non-traditional looking, but Ksubi eyewear is already quite a cult classic & enjoys a niche following.

Don't you wish this was your sunglasses collection?
Photographer Paul Selby (of The Selby) took pictures of Ksubi co-founder George Gorrow & his wicked workplace in Sydney.