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Sep
28
Do Glasses Make You Look Smarter?
Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Designer Eyeglasses | 526 Comments
In recent months a trend has developed nation-wide, wherein young and seemingly flawless women are putting on thick, bookish eyeglasses – and these women do not even require prescription lenses! So, what would inspire a beautiful and fashion-friendly woman to put on her grandfather’s thick-framed glasses and go out in public? The answer – high fashion.
2008 has been an interesting year for women, with powerful and sturdy females across the globe standing up and being taken seriously. More women are gaining prominent positions in government, business and especially in Hollywood, where they have stepped outside of acting and into full-time philanthropy. These women are something to be admired and their kind of clean-lined and direct power is being mimicked in the fashion world.
I recently wrote an article about Sarah Palin and her now-famous glasses, she is but a piece of the larger puzzle of this emerging fashion trend. I predict that this trend will not be a flash in the pan, but will continue until it becomes as mainstream as denim. Here is a breakdown of the newest and most promising trend in 2008—the smart and beautiful, confident woman. Idols like Paris Hilton cannot stand up to icons like Hillary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice, here’s their fashion secret revealed.
First take your wardrobe of low cut shirts or high cut skirts and toss them out, they reveal too much and take away the element of imagination, which is what will keep you fresh and interesting. Replace your short skirts will full length, form fitted tweed or business-like skirts. Jennifer Anniston was ahead of her time when she began emulating this style in 2007. For the top half, look for form fitted business shirts, Victoria Secret has a great French cuff shirt that is shapely and perfect for this style. Skirts are worn a bit higher than the now-popular low rise fashion, but this enhances the curve of the hips and it a positive aspect of the trend. Finally, slick back your hair and put on a pair of thick-frames (black or brown) eyeglasses. Check out this Chanel ad, or Prada’s latest fashion advertisements, even Gucci and Polo are going thick-framed. You’ll see this exact fashion trend emerging across the nation’s advertisements in coming months. There is something sexy and intriguing about the women in these pictures, and it is a stark contrast to prior ads of expressionless and vacant looking blondes.
The librarian look has never been far from the fashion designer’s heart. It is, perhaps, a throw back to the 1920s style when women were first really full force in the workplace and attempting to copy men’s serious attire in wearing long skirts, business shirts and thick frames. Of course in the 20s they also had ridiculous hats and bags that matched their shoes. Pair your concoction with bright red heels and a shapely, unmatched bag and you’ll be flaunting all the best fashion trends of 2008 -2009, and you’ll be on top of the latest fashion trends before they emerge.
Sep
28
The Top Four Movie Glasses of All Time
Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Designer Sunglasses, Designer Eyeglasses | 1 Comment
Austin Powers completes his image with black, thick-framed eyeglasses that add an elegant and knowing air to his appearance. The ultra sexy British spy is all the rage with the ladies, and scoops up actress Heather Graham with this whimsical charm and rugged, mysterious good looks. The eyewear, in my opinion, gives the stylishly modern international-man-of-mystery an educated and intelligent spark that nicely combats his flashy and extravagant clothing. Whatever it is that makes Austin Powers so irresistible, one thing is clear– women love him and men want to be him. In 2008 thick framed glasses came back in style, especially for women. See Dior and Prada sunglasses and eyeglasses, but for even more evidence of the emerging trend, check out the latest eye wear worn at the 2008 Emmy Awards.
Thelma & Louise is a classic in its own right. Two women bereaved by their dull lives and manipulative man, take off an a cross country drive where they find themselves, and build a truly unbreakable bond between each other. Susan Sarandon wears thick classic brown shades throughout the film in what many claim is a precursor to Jack Nicholson’s obsession with eyewear. In several prominent scenes in the film Sarandon uses her shades as a prop; in one scene on the end of her nose, staring coldly over the brim, in another scene lifting them above her eyes to check out possibly prey. She is a versatile woman, the strong and assured character, and she defines herself with confidence which she exudes through her sunglasses. This simple, classic frame style will always be popular in the US, where it has suddenly surged in popularity among teens.
Everyone’s favourite villain is rarely seen without his sunglasses, Mr. Smith, who combats Mr. Anderson throughout the Matrix trilogy, is the essence of organization and clarity. His matrix character mimics Wall street elites and secret service personnel in a blend that reminds one of day planners, coffee stains and gun holsters. The thin framed, mildly tinted sunglasses add a special touch in that you can still see the man’s emotionless eyes and immovable eyebrows. His facial features are as solid as stone, and it is as if the sunglasses are resting on a statue. You can mimic the look with simple, thin framed Rayban sunglasses, a time-tested and traditional, yet sharp, look.
The Terminator is one of the first R rated movies I was allowed to see, and as such, has a special place in my heart, an on this list. Of course (and I’m sure you’ll all agree) the second film was the best. In the second film the Terminator appears in a cheesy blue ball of light nude in the middle of the city. He walks naked into a bar and strips several unlucky alcoholics of their clothing before mounting a motorcycle. Before taking off into the sunset to find Sarah Conner, he turns, marches back into the bar and finds the missing piece of his human costume- black, dark tinted sunglasses. In this film, he is the essence of training, but this is also the film where the machine grows emotions. The traditional style of sunglasses was also worn in the hit film Blues Brothers, and like Mr. Smith’s glasses, they are Ray bans.
Sep
28
Why More People are Wearing Glasses
Filed Under Brand Wave, Eyewear Knowledge, Designer Eyeglasses | Leave a Comment
Looking around recently I’ve noticed that more and more people are wearing glasses. At a dinner with a group of friends nearly all of us were spectacled. I began to wonder if more people were wearing glasses, or if I was just noticing them for the first time. Perhaps it was also that more people were wearing glasses for a fashion statement, and had thrown out their contact lenses. I decided to investigate a bit online.
This month the RNIB announced that the number of Scottish people with vision problems will double in the next 25 years, the reason being that more Scots are overweight and suffering from diabetes as a result. Simultaneously, Scottish people are continuing to smoke at alarming levels. These lifestyle choices result in a deterioration of the eye, which in turn require corrective lenses.
While I think eyeglasses look sexy and can be fun as well as helpful, I do not wish vision problems on anyone. There are things one can do to help their eyes remain healthy, and to have a choice to wear eyeglasses or not. Yet even simple remedies cannot stand up against the barrage of the adverse conditions we live in.
Additionally, this generation has more exposure to video games, computers, I-pods, hand held gaming devices, TV and film than any previous generation. Staring for too long at any on object (a screen, perhaps) has adverse effects on the retinas, which require constant movement to remain healthy. If you are stuck looking at a computer all day, take a moment every once in a while to stretch your eyes. Look around the room at various distances and remember that they will become weaker if not exercised.
Scotland has the second highest obesity rate after America, with Australia close on its heels, and obesity rates are continuing to increase. Meanwhile, Scotland has the highest smoking rates in Europe, including England and Germany. As a result of their unhealthy lifestyles Scots are developing vision problems.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your eyes healthy. Most importantly, stop smoking or better yet, never start. Second, try eating healthy, which seems obvious but hard to do in Europe or the US due to all the preservative agents in our food the total lack of healthy products and a complete offering of grease, oil, fat and carbs. But, make an effort, keeping in mind that diabetes rates are rising, as are other diseases like heart disease (number one killer in the US) as a result of eating habits.
The Bates method is a natural form of exercise one can do to keep the eyes healthy and correct poor vision problems. I’ve written previous articles on this topic. I recommend trying it for yourself, see if it works for your. Meanwhile, watch your diet and realize that unhealthy eating effects everything in your body.
Are more people perhaps wearing glasses these days, or is it that I’m only just noticing it? Is it perhaps that poor vision rates are raising as a result of poor eating and living habits? Or is it that fashion has recently picked up on the glasses trend?
Sep
28
A Tribute to Flavor Flav!
Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Celebrity Watch, Designer Sunglasses | Leave a Comment
There is no denying that Flavor Flav is an unique and innovative man, at least when it comes to fashion. Take, for instance, the wall-hanger sized clock draped leisurely around his neck and the bright shapely and loud sunglasses, which are complemented with louder and more vibrant suits. He has created an empire around idiocy, and has made it cool to be insane. What’s more important, Flavor Flav is not the least beat aware that he is the butt of many jokes, thinking instead that it is adoration that brings people to criticise the Flav.
Take, for instance, the Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav in 2007, he showed up all Flav in thick white shads and a wall clock on his stomach. A sentence surely never composed prior to the arrival of this man on the fashion scene. Despite the idiocy, there is something charming and endearing about the man, something even I find appealing. At the very least, he is a help to everyone around him who is curious as to the time of day.
Flavor Flav’s fashion is comprised of three key elements. If you’d like to mimic his style, be sure to focus on these key things. 1) Visit your local second hand store in search of a bright colored suit. If your town does not have a second hand store, raid your local pimp’s closet. Make sure to locate a matching hat; 2) Purchase the most ridiculous sunglasses you can get your hands on. Make sure they are bright, thick rimmed and plastic. Perhaps even adjust them so that they sit crookedly upon your nose; 3) Purchase a giant clock and fix a sting (or, if you can afford it, a gold chain) to the back of the clock and drape it around your neck. And as an optional fourth- cap all your teeth in gold.
Finally, a focus on Flavor Flavs shades. Despite appearing goofy (perhaps because of the wall clock) the Flav has found glasses that really fit his face and work to make him an attractive, albeit surreal, man. Look at the picture here of the Flav all glamorous in a top hat, fitted pinstripe suit and perfectly accessorized shades. He could pass as a perfectly fashionable citizen, in fact, were the camera never to lower to mid chest (where a diamond clock dangles in the aforementioned image). But this raises an important point—if it weren’t for the clock, the Flav might be on to something with his sunglasses trends.
Take, for example, the image here of the Flav in a blue suit and pink shades. Its almost as if the Flav knew pink was on the accompanying side of blue on the color wheel, and if he lost the crown and clock he would be making a really innovative and bold fashion statement that would even have Donatella thinking, “perhaps this guy is onto something.” Check out the image above of the Flav in a red track suit. Ignore the clock, the bling, and the batman like jacket and the Flav has a very coordinated and thought-out assemblage that I suspect many younger folks would copy. So, lesson learned- grab some colourful shades and match them with a bold suit and you’ll be dressing like a pro in no time. Please though, for the sake of the rest of us, leave off the clock and crown, after all– there can only be one Flav.
Sep
22
The Glasses Make the Man- a Case Study on Jack Nicholson
Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Celebrity Watch, Designer Sunglasses | Leave a Comment
Jack Nicholson is a classic case of the glasses making the man. The man himself claimed that without his glasses he was just a creepy old man, with them he was a classy and modern actor. In his recent films Jack has managed to create a cult of personality around his new, creepy-old-man in shades persona, an image he failed to develop in his early acting career. Now Jack excels at being two things: uniquely cool, and edging on creepy (in regards to women, at least). Without his shades, he would be just another old man in a bar asking for a younger woman’s phone number.
In 1997 Jack Nicholson starred in the hit As Good as it Gets, where he played a tragically obsessive-compulsive hermit who falls in love with his waitress, a woman nearly ten years younger than his character. Throughout the film, Jack’s only sense of the ‘coolness factor’ he is so known for is when he puts on his sunglasses and is all arrogance and masculinity (despite his afflictions). He slowly begins to win over the younger lady, who falls in love with his edgy, defiant and ‘cool’ side, not his crack-crossing and plastic-wrap afflictions. His sunglasses trick mid-film became somewhat of a selling clip for the studio. That could not have been scripted, and was all Jack.
In his 2003 hit Something’s Got to Give, Jack played a man who had the inane ability to woo any woman, and the film starts off with Jack dating a woman half his age. He carries of his cool with the help of his trade-mark sunglasses. Throughout the film he starts to woo his girlfriend’s mother, a woman more his age. As he starts to court the older woman he sheds his sunglasses, which is remarkably telling since they are sitting out on the beach (where sunglasses are socially acceptable). More evidence that as Jackie grows older, he focuses more on making his image youthful—a task he achieves with the help of his sunglasses and a little sarcasm.
In 2006 Jack played a bad boy in The Departed, again showing his trademark coolness with his classic shades. Though an antagonist, he displays his inevitable arrogance and charm throughout the film, this role, to me, was somewhat reminiscent of his portrayal of the Joker, in an earlier version of Batman.
In 2007 Jack starred alongside Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List, the story of two terminally ill men who decide to see the world and live their dreams before they perish. This king of cool races cars, dives from planes and climbs mountains, and even has time to serenade a young flight attendant on the plane. More evidence, ladies and gentlemen, that this elderly chap favours younger ladies. Though a more serious role than his traditional laugh-out-loud hits, Jack played it well and was able to stand up solidly next to Freeman, who is himself a king of cool. Jack is seen here with his head shaved for the film, joking with Martin Scorsese, also cool in classic shades (despite being indoors).
Sep
22
Company Profile, Prada
Filed Under Brand Wave, Eyewear Knowledge, Inside SmartBuyGlasses, Designer Sunglasses | Leave a Comment
Prada is one of the most well known design labels in the fashion industry, a name that comes with both reverence and awe. Their designs are characterized by high-quality materials cut into high-class, clean shapes.
The company was started as Prada Brothers in Milan, Italy in 1890 as a leathergoods shop. Fratelli, the owner and sole designer, was a chauvinist who did not allow any female family members into the design studio or shop. However, when Fratelli died, his son Mario was not interested in the business and daughter-in-law took over running the company. In an act of irony and defiance, Fratelli’s daughter Miuccia also joined the company, thus Prada came under the leadership of two very strong and capable women. Miuccia convinced Patrizio Bertelli to join the company in an advising role, and as a result soon abandoned their antiquated styles in favour of revolutionizing and streamlining their leather designs. Several years later, the company was selling the new bag designs in upscale markets, and revenue was pouring in. After expanding across Europe and opening shoe and clothing lines, Miuccia and Bertelli finally married. The label became known for its durability and clean, straight lines—a kind of anti-establishment high-end fashion.
BY 1990 the company had landed in the big leagues with over US$31m in profits. In the US, the style was labelled as ‘working class fashion’ and was widely adopted in the country as people began to shy away from opulence and glamour in favour of practicality and simple style.
Throughout the company’s rise they were in dire competition with Gucci, and CEO Bertelli even went so far as to attempt to acquire a controlling interest in Gucci by buying up their shares. This idea flopped, and the company returned to focusing on design. However, as a result of their ongoing competition, Prada nearly bankrupted itself buying the Fendi label, which Gucci had been vying for. The company is still massively in debt from that ego-focused purchase. Bertelli has decided to attempt to take the company public as early as 2009, by listing on the Milan stock exchange. The company hopes to raise enough funds in their IPO to pay off debt and fund expansion.
Internationally, Prada has lagged behind other labels, choosing instead to focus on Europe and the US. Louis Vuitton is the most well-known international design house, with stores all over Asia. Prada even missed the China craze because it was in such dire financial straits.
However, the company has continued to dominate the fashion world, with Miuccia’s designs looked to each year as a source of inspiration for other designers. She alone propels the company forward with new designs, and her husband tried to fund this with his wheeling and dealing. One of Miuccia’s major pushes recently has been in the field of accessories. Prada launched into the accessory market three years ago with their distinguished Prada sunglasses. The glasses have been sold widely and are highly regarded as a just comparable to Dior’s well-established sunglasses line. Prada hopes to make a comeback with the glasses, as they are more widely affordable than their clothing and bag lines.
Popular culture has picked up Prada’s iconic status, and several mentions of the design have appeared in Hollywood recently. Most notably, Prada was featured in the hit, The Devil Wears Prada, wherein a young magazine hopeful is faced with a powerful magazine editor clothed in high fashion. Though the young woman initially resists the power of Prada, she eventually falls victim to its charms, as do all fashion-frenzied ladies.
Sep
22
Sarah Palin Glasses
Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Celebrity Watch, Designer Eyeglasses | Leave a Comment
The BBC has reported that opticians un the US have “witnessed a surge in sales of those Palin glasses,” referring to the thick temple, frameless lens glasses vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has worn since her debut in Washington on the Republican ticket next to Senator John McCain.
This is not surprising, given the recent nation-wide rise of women in politics that began with New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s run for the democratic presidential ticket. After Hillary stepped down from the race in order to ‘heal the party’ the new woman on the block became Michelle Obama, the wife of Hillary’s rival and winner of the democratic presidential ticket, Barak Obama. Michelle’s character is every bit as strong and dominant as Hillary’s, and demonstrates a very real gap in the glass ceiling. Indeed, women in politics have been one of the most read news stories of 2008, and something I predict this year will be famous for, when viewed historically.
Sarah Palin, on the other hand, offers a very different image than Michelle or Hillary, who have both represented change and dominant positions in the public eye. Sarah is the mother of several children, one of whom is now an expecting mother herself. She is from a small town in rural Alaska, where she fits into the community through her local church and functions, rather than the large Washington DC scenes both Hillary and Michelle frequent. Perhaps this makes her more in touch with the ‘average American,’ if such a thing exists.
And apparently she connects well with the population, as women have “surged” to buy look-alike Palin glasses. The glasses are titanium Kawasaki 704 frames, from Japan. The have titanium temples, very sleek and simple, support angular frameless lenses. As a former runner-up in the Miss America pageant, Palin is no stranger to fashion. In addition to women emulating Palin’s glasses, they are also copying her hairstyle.
Looking at past pictures of Palin, she has long favoured strong, clean-lined eyewear that is half librarian, half cat woman, which befits her complex and strong personality. The recent craze, which ABC news called a, “bipartisan must-have fashion accessory,” is sparking a trend that has spread past just the Kawasaki brand to include all frameless, rimless designs.
Personally, I find this a positive trend. Rather than looking to heroes like Brittany Spears or Lindsey Lohan, who are in and out of rehab and as stable as a blade of grass on a windy day, it is much healthier that women emulate powerful and successful (and stable) women like Palin, Hillary and Michelle.
Make sure that, if you wish to copy this emerging style, you find a frameless shape that works for your face shape. See my previous article on how to fit glasses to your face for some helpful tips, keeping in mind that your bone structure is important when considering which style you’ll adopt. Happy political-eyeglass hunting!
Sep
16
Bradgelina brand crazy
Filed Under Celebrity Watch | Leave a Comment
Actor Brad Pitt and actress Angelina Jolie, now a star couple in Hollywood with six children under their joint care, have come to be affectionately referred to as Bradgelina (Brad + Angelina = Bradgelina). They are not only the all-Hollywood couple; they are humanitarians, style icons, the most beautiful people in the country and genuinely global in their interests and pursuits.
The tumultuous breakup between Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston in 2005 caused nation-wide panic in the US, where the couple was labeled as the only truly successful Hollywood marriage. With a 50% divorce rate in the US, the couple was nearly iconic for their normalcy. Roomers of Brad’s infidelity circulated the country, though he and his ‘other woman,’ Angelina Jolie, both adamantly denied wrong doing. Angelina went so far as to say she could never be attracted to a man who would cheat on his wife, having lived through her own father cheating on her mother.
Soon after Aniston filed for divorce, however, the new couple Brad and Angelina, were seen in Kenya playing on the beach with Angelina’s son Maddox. Soon after Brad legally adopted Angelina’s son Maddox, and her recently adopted daughter Zahara, the two adoptees now have the last name Jolie-Pitt. The American nation sighed in relief, the Brad and Jennifer relationship may have let them down, but it was replaced with something even brighter and better. Jolie made the best in Pitt appear, while she was encouraged by Pitt’s support of her global humanitarian efforts.
Both are avid humanitarians, and spokesmen for various global causes, and have traveled widely and donated millions. Their second home in New Orleans ensured they were close to the Katrina tragedy, and donated to relief as well as helped locally. In addition to their massive adoption and humanitarian do-gooder deeds, the couple rarely leave their property without being dressed in the most tried and true fashions. Brad has developed a worldly style of slacks and a plain white dress shirt and designer sunglasses. Jolie is rarely seen in anything other than dark colored, form fitting traditional shirts, with denim or tight skirts and boots. She is also rarely seen without designer shades. The couple are the most popular sunglasse wearing duo in Hollywood.
In 2006, Jolie gave birth to a daughter in Namibia, Africa, whom the couple named Shiloh. Pitt was the father. Jolie then adopted a son from Cambodia named Pax, who Pitt later also adopted as his own. As Brad and Angelina adopted, international adoption rates skyrocketed, proving their global influence. In 2008 the couple announced they were pregnant with twins, Vivienne and Knox, both named after family members. The first pictures of the children (right) sold for $14million to Hello! Magazine. The two have decided not to marry, preferring to allow their family to grow and blossom without the government or church’s stamp of approval. Yet another tint of defiance, as neither professes to be religious.
These two are admirable stars, donating freely and brining children into their home, are truly living the type of life most rich folks try to avoid, and yet these two stars do it all in style in a whirl of designer shades, established fashion and beautiful smiles.
Sep
16
Company profile – Versace
Filed Under Designer Eyeglasses | Leave a Comment
Versace, officially known as Gianni Versace S.P.A after founder Gianni Versace, is a fashion line with few equal peers. Gianni was raised in Italy, the son of a tailor. He learned to make and design clothing, some of his designs selling at the family store. After apprenticing outside the family, he was contracted to create his first collection in 1972. His first collection was a local hit, so Gianni decided to open his own boutique.
The fashion label began humbly in 1978 and exploded onto the scene around the early eighties when his innovative designs with leather made him the top designer for Bon Jovie, Elton John and others. He even designed the costumes worn on Miami Vice, the leather jacket craze that swept the nation as a result of the show were sparked by his creative designs. Gianni was the final victim of serial killer Andrew Cunanan, in 1997, who claimed four other victims before committing suicide shortly after killing Gianni. Little is known about the killer’s motive or any possible previous relationship with Gianni, and it is widely believed to just be a coincidental encounter. However, because Gianni was homosexual, some roomers exist that Cunanan, also homosexual, may have been jealous of the designer and his lover Antonio D’Amico. There is little basis for this roomer, however.
Gianni’s bereaved sister, Donatella, took over as creative director of the company, while brother Santo took over as CEO. The line has become amazingly popular under Donatella’s direction while brother Santo has made a drastic marketing turn which has also awarded the company more fame and prestige. Whereas most large design houses relay on publicity and celebrity affirmations, Versace continues to advertise heavily, employing major Hollywood stars in their advertisements as well as scantly clothing the stars for the most viewed TV events.Among the biggest affirmation of popularity for Versace was Elton John’s admittance that many of his custom-made clothes came from the design house. Similarly, Jennifer Lopez’s see-through and low cut dress at the Oscar awards drew wide-spread attention, and was all Versace.
The line branched out from clothing to include accessories like sunglasses, prescription frames, perfume and jewelry. Their sunglasses are especially well known and have become an icon of style in Hollywood for starlets and macho movie stars alike.
The line attracts attention from a wide spectrum of stars, proving that it does not fit into any one category or style. Princess Diana was asked by Donatella to appear in a catwalk show, the princess declined as she was embroiled in a nasty divorce at the time. Soul singer Beyonce has modeled Versace, as has rocker Axl Rose. Singer Prince and actress Penelope Cruz are seen here (right) at a ceremony honoring the Versace family for their contribution to fashion. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Demi Moore and Madonna have all been the face of Versace at some point. The Natorious B.I.G as well as the late Tupac Shakur rapped about Versace, proving that celebrity backing is more powerful than any other endorsement.
Sep
16
Kurt Donald Cobain wins eyepod’s award for America’s best sunglasses. We congratulate the late singer on his most recent posthumous nod of appreciation for creating a generation of grunge, defiance and true all-American stubbornness. Cobain wins this award because his apparent non-style transformed a generation of Americans into believers; believing in the power of semi-nihilism and absent voting. Though generation X has now fully entered adulthood, raised their own children and altered their beliefs and fashion from grunge and devil-may-care to suits and coping with a mortgage crisis, the underlying sense of rebellion the generation is known for was greatly spearheaded by the singer, songwriter and lead guitarists of Nirvana—Kurt Cobain.Cobain was born in Aberdeen, Washington, in the USA in 1967 where he and his small town friend began the band Nirvana. The group played in their hometown for two years before migrating to the more receptive Seattle area. The grunge fashion and lifestyle was in its infancy when Cobain arrived, but with the addition of his music and style, the movement exploded into the mainstream. After his 1991 hit, “Smells like Teen Spirit” Cobain and crew were rocketed into stardom. Cobain himself became the figurehead of a generation of defiant and irreverent post-Vietnam era youths. He makes eyepod’s list because of his creative use of sunglasses as a means of rebellion and defiance, something we feel is worthy of appreciation.
Sadly, Cobain is no longer with us, having presumably committed suicide on April 5th, 1994, a mere three years after hitting star status with Nirvana. He had married Courtney Love after the girl claimed she was pregnant with his child. The singer and his new wife set off on several whirlwind concert tours early 1994 before returning to the US after Cobain overdosed on prescription drugs in Rome. Back in the US, his wife organized an intervention and Cobain agreed to go to rehab. However, he snuck out of the rehab center shortly after arriving, flew back to Washington to his lakeside home and committed suicide. Roomers abound about Courtney’s possible involvement in his death, though no conclusive evidence has been produced.Despite his tragic end, Cobain inspired a generation of irreverent authority-questioning rebels. His legacy to Americans is that of a musical genius who sparked the grunge movement, a fashion icon who invigorated designers and anti-trend setters for years, and spokesman for Generation X.
His style, which is distinctly a conglomeration of all things that do not match, survives strong today in Seattle, as well as in desperate cities like Detroit and Baltimore. His large, white Jackie-O sunglasses were iconic in that on his face, in his clothes they acted as a form of rebellion against the rich. To wear the glasses of the rich and affluent amid flannel shirts, torn jeans and a ripped woolen hat was to demonstrate his distaste for those who lived in avid luxury. In his last year of performing Cobain began to criticize and galvanize the upper class with his blatant fashion statements which were meant to rouse the underprivileged an a Robin Hood like fraternity against oppression. He rebelled against everything established, everything concrete and everything affluent. His dress code, lyrics and behavior demonstrated to generation X that there was still a lot of work to do in America.