Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Shutter Shades Go the Way of Pogs
Some things go from super cool to ultra-lame in a matter of months. The list of products that have suffered this fate is extensive (think pogs, Skip-it [arguable]) and it looks like the same is happening to shutter shades. So sad.
How do I look mom?
Ever since Kanye debuted them last year while touring, they have been so popular, you can get them everywhere from Kanye’s original designer Alain Mikli and from the guy selling sunglasses out of the briefcase downtown.
Obviously this pair makes no sense as actual UV protection (no lenses). Also, I’ve heard they are uncomfortable as the sun flashes on your eyes like a strobe light while passing over the shutters. They are for fashion only, and don’t do a very good job at that. Now I have seen some with lenses, but they look even more ridiculous. They only seem to make sense if you wear them indoor, like at a bar, but then you have to worry about getting beat up for wearing sunglasses indoors.
I was even going to buy a pair, but I can only withstand so much ridicule. Like pogs, they died fast. R.I.P shutter shades.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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How do I look mom?Ever since Kanye debuted them last year while touring, they have been so popular, you can get them everywhere from Kanye’s original designer Alain Mikli and from the guy selling sunglasses out of the briefcase downtown.
Obviously this pair makes no sense as actual UV protection (no lenses). Also, I’ve heard they are uncomfortable as the sun flashes on your eyes like a strobe light while passing over the shutters. They are for fashion only, and don’t do a very good job at that. Now I have seen some with lenses, but they look even more ridiculous. They only seem to make sense if you wear them indoor, like at a bar, but then you have to worry about getting beat up for wearing sunglasses indoors.
I was even going to buy a pair, but I can only withstand so much ridicule. Like pogs, they died fast. R.I.P shutter shades.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
6:56 PM View Comments
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
New Dita Release - Lupe Fiasco is the Coolest
In holy matrimony, the coolest sunglasses and rapper in the world right now have gotten together to make a pair of shades that you are not going to be able to get. According to the Dita Eyewear website, they are only selling five of these online. Talk about limited edition.
Midnight Special
If you are not familiar with Lupe Fiasco, you need to be. His last album is inspiring and captivating, and you should get it now. At the same time, get yourself a pair of Dita sunglasses, because they are almost as smooth as him.
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Midnight Special
If you are not familiar with Lupe Fiasco, you need to be. His last album is inspiring and captivating, and you should get it now. At the same time, get yourself a pair of Dita sunglasses, because they are almost as smooth as him.Available at:
Source: Dita Eyewear
Source: Dita Eyewear
7:45 AM View Comments
Sunglasses in the Movie Tropic Thunder
Having Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. together in a film is basically a gift from the comedy gods to us meager and mildly entertaining common folk. All of these actors have had great success in the last five years (with Robert Downey really on his way up) and it could really be a treat to see them together.
The story behind this movie has got me wondering if it is going to be any good. Basically, a group of actors go to Vietnam to shoot a war movie, which actually devolves into them being in a war and not even knowing it. There is a lot of room for comedy here, and I hope that it really lives up to its potential. Take a look at the poster and a screenshot.
The story behind this movie has got me wondering if it is going to be any good. Basically, a group of actors go to Vietnam to shoot a war movie, which actually devolves into them being in a war and not even knowing it. There is a lot of room for comedy here, and I hope that it really lives up to its potential. Take a look at the poster and a screenshot.
Jack Black Looks Like a Rock Star
Jack Black’s character in the trailer makes me really excited to see Tropic Thunder. His sunglasses immediately stick out (red lenses!) and look like a perfect match for his character (over the top). This style used to be called tea sunglasses, but is now more commonly called John Lennon sunglasses, for fairly obvious reasons.
Even with contacting the production companies, I could not find out what the exact brand is, but I’ll dig further. If you are looking for a pair just like you see in the movie, there are many online shops that have this style, even with red lenses. If anyone knows the exact brand, let me know. Also, if you’ve seen the movie, drop a review.
Photos: Rotten Tomatoes
6:59 AM View Comments
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mosley Tribes Reinvents the Wheel (i.e Aviator Sunglass)
The aviator frame, originally by Ray-Ban, is one of the most celebrated frames in the sunglass industry. It is matched perhaps only by the Wayfarer in popularity and wearability. It is no surprise then that is has be done over and over again, and made popular by many stars (minus Tom Cruise). The brand Mosley Tribes, launched in 2004 by Oliver Peoples, has recently released a version of the aviator for Crooks and Castles which somehow manages to put a new face on this classic style.
Mosley Tribes’ sunglasses all have this feel of originality and toughness to them. They are like the sunglasses you wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley. Check out their website for more styles and other gear.
Source: Mosley Tribes
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I absolutely love the polygons and all the geometry that can be found in the styling of this model, called Castellano noir. It truly is a pair of aviator sunglasses, but with a dash of the 80’s and Mosley Tribes’ own thing all rolled into something I need to buy.
Mosley Tribes’ sunglasses all have this feel of originality and toughness to them. They are like the sunglasses you wouldn’t want to run into in a dark alley. Check out their website for more styles and other gear.
Source: Mosley Tribes
10:40 PM View Comments
Cheap Sunglasses - Resist the Urge to Shop at the Gas Station
According to a recent investigation, the UV coverage for many cheap pairs of sunglasses is not what it claims to be. The report tested several different models which were purchased in Tampa Bay, at various locations. They tested two dozen models – 12 cheap and 12 designer brands.
Now, this is no scientific test, I know that. The sample is too small, and we don’t even know where they were bought or what brands the “designer brands” were. However, this is still a little evidence about the quality of cheap sunglasses. If you made a graph for the correlation between quality and UV protection of cheap versus expensive glasses, there might not be much of a relationship. But like the article mentions, there are other things which could give more expensive sunglasses the advantage. For example, cheaper polycarbonate may provide UV protection, buy might be littered with bumps and imperfections, which could cause unclear vision and lead to headaches.
What I take away from this story is support for a long-held personal rule of mine. That is, where I buy my gas, I buy my gas. I don’t buy my food where I buy my gas, I don’t buy my clothes where I buy my gas, and I shouldn’t buy my eyewear there either.
Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Source: ABC Tampa Bay
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Now, this is no scientific test, I know that. The sample is too small, and we don’t even know where they were bought or what brands the “designer brands” were. However, this is still a little evidence about the quality of cheap sunglasses. If you made a graph for the correlation between quality and UV protection of cheap versus expensive glasses, there might not be much of a relationship. But like the article mentions, there are other things which could give more expensive sunglasses the advantage. For example, cheaper polycarbonate may provide UV protection, buy might be littered with bumps and imperfections, which could cause unclear vision and lead to headaches.
What I take away from this story is support for a long-held personal rule of mine. That is, where I buy my gas, I buy my gas. I don’t buy my food where I buy my gas, I don’t buy my clothes where I buy my gas, and I shouldn’t buy my eyewear there either.
Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Source: ABC Tampa Bay
7:20 AM View Comments
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Barton Perreira Eyewear – Design and Luxury for you Eyes
Barton Perreira is a brand new line of sunglasses targeted at those with a keen eye for design, luxury and the wallet to back it up. They began about only 8 months ago but have already become quite popular because of the experience of the founders, their popularity among celebrities and the simple beauty of the shape, style and design.
The company was started by Patty Perreira and Bill Barton only in the last year, former employees of Oliver Peoples eyewear, also a very popular brand. Their craft must have been honed well at Oliver Peoples, because their sunglasses are absolutely stunning. A lot of the frames are made from titanium, while others are hand-made plastic. I love the mesh on many of the pairs, and the thin frames and well cut lines are very elegant looking. Take a look at what’s available for your eyes:
Bombshell
Centerfold
Fairlady
As popular as they are new, Barton Perreira sunglasses are a growing brand that I have a feeling is going to explode in popularity in the next year. Stars such as Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich and Laurence Fishburne (which one doesn’t belong?) have been known to wear their styles. I’ve even seen them in the new Kardinal video “Dangerous” with Akon.
I am dying to get a pair of them myself, but no one in this quadrant of the world stocks them. That being said, the average price might be a problem for me too. Check out their website.
Source: Barton Perreira
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The company was started by Patty Perreira and Bill Barton only in the last year, former employees of Oliver Peoples eyewear, also a very popular brand. Their craft must have been honed well at Oliver Peoples, because their sunglasses are absolutely stunning. A lot of the frames are made from titanium, while others are hand-made plastic. I love the mesh on many of the pairs, and the thin frames and well cut lines are very elegant looking. Take a look at what’s available for your eyes:
Swindler
Bombshell
Centerfold
FairladyAs popular as they are new, Barton Perreira sunglasses are a growing brand that I have a feeling is going to explode in popularity in the next year. Stars such as Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich and Laurence Fishburne (which one doesn’t belong?) have been known to wear their styles. I’ve even seen them in the new Kardinal video “Dangerous” with Akon.
I am dying to get a pair of them myself, but no one in this quadrant of the world stocks them. That being said, the average price might be a problem for me too. Check out their website.
10:19 PM View Comments
Monday, July 14, 2008
Asymmetrical Eyewear
Originality is tough to find is tough to find in the sunglasses field, let alone anywhere, and it is even more difficult in optical lenses. Because of the limitations on size and shape of lenses, because you need to fit prescriptions, there is only so much you can do. Sugarkane has seemingly defied the rules with a few new styles for 2009.
Sugarkane decided to play around not only with size of lenses, but make one different from the other. They call it asymmetrical eyewear and it is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Most of the frames are made for their optical series, but there are a few (at least one now) pairs of sunglasses.
I really like the idea and think they might even look good. Certainly a lot of people will be looking at you. I’m a little worried about it messing with your vision or causing headaches. If anyone has tried these let me know.
Source: Sugarkane
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Sugarkane decided to play around not only with size of lenses, but make one different from the other. They call it asymmetrical eyewear and it is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Most of the frames are made for their optical series, but there are a few (at least one now) pairs of sunglasses. I really like the idea and think they might even look good. Certainly a lot of people will be looking at you. I’m a little worried about it messing with your vision or causing headaches. If anyone has tried these let me know.
Source: Sugarkane
6:22 PM View Comments
Are Sunglasses Are the New Handbag?
There is literally no limit to the price you can pay for a handbag. From Chinese-made-Walmart glory to hand-made-alligator-skin-Hermes evil, quality and price couldn’t be different. Sunglasses also have a range just like this, although I haven’t seen alligator skin frames (fingers crossed). But can sunglasses replace the handbag as the “it” luxury item for brand-obsessed shoppers? As though my opinion was not enough, the New York Times writes in a recent article that this may already have happened.
I can see some points to their argument. For one, a pair of high-end sunglasses is much cheaper than a high-end bag. Also, what is the first thing you gravitate towards when you look at someone on the street? Their face (give or take). Being able to showcase that you can afford $400 for a pair of sunglasses does show your status too. Do you see your sunglasses replacing your bag as your number one fashion item?
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One of the arguments is that people have too many bags, and they have become less of a luxury item. Your own bag can be seen all over town, even if you spent a lot of money on it. That is not the case with sunglasses, yet. The average price for top of the line designer sunglasses, according to the article, has gone up to $350 from $250 in just a short time. This is not the ceiling, by any means, as Ksubi and Chrome Hearts sunglasses can get up to and over $1000 for a pair.
I can see some points to their argument. For one, a pair of high-end sunglasses is much cheaper than a high-end bag. Also, what is the first thing you gravitate towards when you look at someone on the street? Their face (give or take). Being able to showcase that you can afford $400 for a pair of sunglasses does show your status too. Do you see your sunglasses replacing your bag as your number one fashion item?
Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Source: New York Times
8:19 AM View Comments
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Super Sunglasses - New Styles from Old
Despite using the word “super” in their name and having only been launched in 2007, Super sunglasses have become extremely popular with those “in the know” (i.e., not me) and can be seen from Milan to L.A. on the faces of the bold and beautiful (again). Relying on a worn down, strung out but nevertheless abundantly successful Wayfarer model as their launch template, they’ve created a vast array of bright models to choose from.
Also displayed above is the 24K Gold with lenses done by Carl Zeiss, perhaps the world’s premier lens maker. I don’t know how popular the 24K Gold model is, but the multi-colored versions have been very popular from Duomo Square to Rodeo Drive. Get yourself a pair for about $130.
Source: Super Sunglasses
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Also displayed above is the 24K Gold with lenses done by Carl Zeiss, perhaps the world’s premier lens maker. I don’t know how popular the 24K Gold model is, but the multi-colored versions have been very popular from Duomo Square to Rodeo Drive. Get yourself a pair for about $130.Source: Super Sunglasses
10:00 PM View Comments
Friday, July 4, 2008
Colab Eyewear's New Releases 2008–Design and Art in Focus
I’ve said many times that sunglasses are first for eye protection, and second for fashion, but some brands and individuals hold design in such high esteem that sunglasses go beyond eye protection or fashion, and literally become art. Colab eyewear epitomises this kind of brand. They are a group of designers, artists, aesthetics and freaks who have recently completed a line of sunglasses for this year which should be released some time in the next week. Eye candy follows:
Waybetters
Disco
Star Gazers
Too Hot
The Spooks
Vision Quest
If you are looking for originality, art and exclusivity, check them out. Colab.
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Waybetters
Disco
Star Gazers
Too Hot
The Spooks
Vision QuestBased out of Australia, the group only began in January 2007, but have already worked with a number of brands, the latest being Kid Robot. They are made up of a group of artists from around the globe, and their latest line certainly reflects this, as nothing specifically screams “Milan”, “New York” or “Paris”. This years’ line is very eclectic (their words, but a perfect way to describe them) and there are flashes of vintage beauty here and there which only makes them better. The great thing about wearing Colab sunglasses is that every single model is limited edition, with only 1000 pairs being made of each, so you are probably going to be the only person you know with a pair. This is obviously something you don’t get with a lot of the bigger brands.
If you are looking for originality, art and exclusivity, check them out. Colab.
Website: www.colab.com.au
7:48 AM View Comments
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Dita Eyewear the Hottest Sunglasses Brand in the U.S. Now?
Thanks to celebrities, miscreants and magazines, some brands get launched quickly, and make a big name for themselves, instead of having to slave and toil like the rest of us peasants. Right now perhaps the hottest sunglasses for fabulously rich women in the U.S. are Dita. They were launched in 1996 and have grown steadily since. Just last year the Dita Vintage line was released, but can already be found on the face on some of the most famous and infamous people walking the red carpets. Take a look at some select choices from their current line:
From what I’ve read and heard, Dita was assisted by Vogue USA with its launch, being splattered all over the pages the industry’s leading fashion magazine. With help like that, it is easy to see that they’ve done well. It doesn’t hurt also that celebrities such as Will Smith, Lindsay Lohan and Nichol Richie are covering their mugs daily with their Dita eyewear.
If you want to get a pair of your own you are going to have to part with at least $150, so they are not for the financially bashful. At this point you would still be at the front of the bandwagon, so there is still time.
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From what I’ve read and heard, Dita was assisted by Vogue USA with its launch, being splattered all over the pages the industry’s leading fashion magazine. With help like that, it is easy to see that they’ve done well. It doesn’t hurt also that celebrities such as Will Smith, Lindsay Lohan and Nichol Richie are covering their mugs daily with their Dita eyewear. If you want to get a pair of your own you are going to have to part with at least $150, so they are not for the financially bashful. At this point you would still be at the front of the bandwagon, so there is still time.
Available at:
6:48 AM View Comments
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