Sep

2

Best brands of all time

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Do you notice anything about the list of brands below?

Ray Ban Arnette Donna Karan
Bvlgari REVO Prada
Burberry Chanel Versace
Vouge Oakley Polo Ralph Lauren
Persol Dolce & Gabbana  
polo ray
polo ray

You may notice that all of the listed companies are among the best in the group of prescription and sun protection glasses. Names like Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana are massive in the fashion industry, both mid and high end.Meanwhile, Polo and Oakley are more affordable in the mid range while some of the lesser known companies supply an even lower price bracket. You may be surprised to learn that one company, the Luxottica Group, owns all of the above listed names, in reference to deign, manufacture and distribution of sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses. The group owns 8 house brands and 17 licensed brands in total, and their stock is priced at over $25 and growing conservatively.

Founder Leonardo Del Vecchio was a Milan native, born in 1935 into the metal business and later specializing in metal parts for glasses. After some initial successes in the eyeglasses business, Del Vecchio hired more staff and later created a company that was known in Milan for its talent and skill. The company grew until finally it was incorporated and made official.

Years later the company made a strategic turn away from pure prescription glasses for elites and grouplibrarians and towards something more profitable and exploitable. The group decided to try to make eyewear sexy and fashionable via two methods– to pair up with key designers and to acquire top pre-established brands. Thus, in 1988 they acquired the brand Armani, and Valentino in 1990, in 1999 the company acquired Ray Ban. Ray Ban can be considered the most well known brand of sunglasses the world over. Luxottica acquired the company during a financial crisis for the company’s holding firm, Bausch & Lomb. The company also owns all of the brands listed above. Designers benefit from having their product and name reach a wider market while Luxoittica benefits in earning prestige from owning the rights to such names as Prada and Chanel.

Currently the company is present in 130 countries, on all continents. They have 27 brands in their portfolio and employee over 50,000 people. Therefore, when you argue over which brand has the best eyeglasses, pause to consider that they are all designed by the same holding company, the Luxottica Group.

Sep

2

Celebrity prescription eyeglasses 2008

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If you look at celebrity eyeglasses in 2008 you’ll notice two very distinct trends coming from Hollywood. The first and most easily identifiable relates to male trends in 2008, the second, quite obviously, to female trends.


Hollywood_men
 Hollywood men in 2008 have been awash in gold… or yellow, to be more exact. Yellow tinted lenses have been all the Hollywood craze in 2008 and we have seen such starts as Michael Jackson and Bono wear these stylish lenses. Personally, yellow tinted lenses remind me of Walter Sobchack from The Big Labowski, who was stuck living in memories of Vietnam. His yellow tinted lenses were meant to look like riflemen’s glasses, which increase contrast and help in hunting. Notably, this is a great film and one that has inspired a generation of underachievers, but for Hollywood’s biggest and most motivated stars to be seeing yellow is a new and surprising development.


Michael_Jackson
 In the case of Michael Jackson, he may be wearing the yellow tinted lenses for medical reasons, as his body is somewhat of a medical and moral anomaly. However, there is no denying he was an icon of his era, and continues to be untouchable because of his former fame, despite his dilapidated facial features and affinity for dangling children off balconies.


One super
 One super cool cat who defies every stereotype and uses Hollywood only insomuch as it benefits his various causes is Bono, the Irish all star in charity and global awareness. He is now well known for his dark but tinted lenses, adding yet another element to 2008 eyeglasses style. Weather yellow or purple, tinted lenses are in. We’ve even see images of the uber hunk Brad Pitt in tinted lenses, and of course Johnny Depp is already well known for his tinted eyeglasses.


celebrity_trends
 Female celebrity trends are somewhat more traditional. It is surprising that men are being creative and innovative, flashy and colourful while the Hollywood females stars are down-to-business and punctual with librarian-like style. Amanda Peat looks radiant and a bit above her age in these thick, dark frames. But, the starlet looks especially wise, and educated, a look more women are leaning towards given the recent cracks in the glass ceiling by such powerful women as Hillary Clinton and now Sarah Palin. To prove this isn’t just a one hit wonder, check out this recent picture of Jennifer Gardner, the cute and quirky actress who usually takes romantic comedy roles designed to make her appear both childish and chic. Suddenly this female heart throb is dressing in less revealing clothing and making her glasses more a predominant part of her attire.


women_fashion
 In 2008 women’s fashion don’t be surprised if stars and local women began to emulate the powerful political women of 2008. This has been a landmark year for the women’s movement and it is being played out on both the political stage and in women’s fashion. Meanwhile, men are becoming more beautified and androgynous, emulating past female trends in colour and flare.

Sep

1

Celebrity sunglasses. Milan fashion week and more!

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Milan held its famous fashion week early summer 2008, and the hits were surprisingly not as much on the runway as in the crowd.


Fergie
Fergie dazzled the audience and runway divas alike with her appearance alongside the runway to witness the newest fashions first hand. The former Black Eyed Peas artist has since gone solo to amazing fanfare and popularity. This rising vocal genius is a devout follower of fashion trends and traditions, and was seen during the Milan fashion show wearing large, square Jackie O’s and a plain, low-cut black blouse.


You can recreate her fashionable look with less expansive items, retaining the key accessories and appearance at a more reasonable price. For cheaper glasses, check out designer distributors online and look for similar styles and tones. For a fresh copy of her outfit check out traditional clothing venues such as Victoria Secret (great for tops) and Old Navy (ideal for well-fit jeans).


Janet JacksonJanet Jackson and love Jermaine Dupri were also in Milan for fashion week, and wowed the crowd with their sophisticated fashion. Though visiting a fashion show, you will notice that most celebrities decide to tone down their usual flare. This is likely because they are there to support new trends and pick up the hottest indicators for the following year first hand. They cannot show up to a fashion show in last year’s fashions and must, therefore, stick to tried and true looks. Janet looked young and glowing in a simple black dress with large sunglasses that defined her high, round cheekbones. Her lover Jermaine Dupri was in a white suit with a simple pastel shirt, also wearing dark glasses. More evidence that large and bold glasses are traditions that will linger in Hollywood when other fashions are long dead and gone.


 You can mimic their styles with cheaper version by visiting local brand-name stores and shopping for vintage or name-brand sunglasses online. With such focus in 2008/2009 on eyewear, it is suggested that you get the real-deal for your ultimate accessory.


Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford and her beau are rarely caught looking shabby and local. No, this Hollywood duo looks like they are posing for a DKNY billboard—without even trying. She sports gold rimmed Ray Bans and classic jeans and heels while he looks casual in jeans and a button down white shirt. The pair look the part of the American suburban dream couple.


Copy their style with stretch jeans and form fit knits and acquire men’s Ray Ban original aviators. Vintage is always in style in the US, so Ray Ban Aviators will always be a safe buy.


For a taste of the extreme, Paris Hilton has outdone herself with style in 2008 by building upon already ridiculous looks and making them chic and acceptable. She makes bold colours and sharp lines seem acceptable.


Paris HiltonTo copy her style visit your local Halloween costume store early October and stock up on nurse, maid and bad cop outfits. Complete the image with overly girly sunglasses like large Jackie O’s from Dior or vintage frames online.

Sep

1

Top five eyeglasses brands

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2008 is fully underway, and this years fashion trends are becoming crystal clear. The best eyeglasses in 2008 may surprise you, as fashion sometimes is prone to do. This year even the stars avoided contact lenses, choosing instead to make a bold and obvious splash with their eyewear.


Police. In the spirit of my previous article on Police brand sunglasses, I stick to my guns on the Police coolness factor and put that brand in top place for the coolest eyeglasses brand of 2008. I enjoy the contradiction between the name brand’s name and their immaculate and creative style nearly as much as I enjoy their advertising campaign staring Hollywood beauty Antonio Banderas.


 Bvlgari. These designer eyeglasses add a touch of modernism to faces of all shapes and styles. The design plays off the ever-so-slightly horn rimmed style of yesteryear, which gives it a sense of antiquity and futurism rolled into one. The design in black is especially drastic and fashionable for bright eye colours like green and blue.


Gucci
Gucci is in the middle of a flash-back, as if their modern models stepped into a time machine and brought back only the stylish and timeless frames of old. The classic shapes and enhanced squareness make them a truly unique and identifiable buy. When I see this style of Gucci frame I am instantly reminded of the rugged and charismatic character Sawyer from the hit TV show LOST. These glasses are also strikingly appealing on the likes of Johnny Depp, who epitomizes the vintage look. In 2008 intelligence was in, with a return to button down shirts and old-school accessories like cuff links, thin ties and especially vintage or antique frames. The Gucci frames of 2008 fit perfectly in the 2008 Johnny Depp inspired craze.


DKNY
 DKNY is a surprising rising star in the eyeglasses realm. Their designs are straightforward and uncompromising and add a dash of colour and style to what many term ‘New York style’. It is bold and crass, and somewhat defiant, and can be carried alongside the Police brand as a style unique and unforgiving in appearance. Most models are unisex, with a sort of modern proletarian, high-brow appeal. The stark shapes and bold designs of DKNY brand glasses are best suited for those with weaker features, as the glasses themselves will act as a agent of clarification and definition. For wispy, thin hair or under defined cheekbones, the DKNY style will give you an edgy and more square appearance. As in the image above, the rather bland model would go unnoticed if not for the stylish shades and name brand bag.


Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana manufacture extremely over-the-top designer eyewear with a newfound focus on prescription designer frames. Though a bit extravagant for my personal tastes, I find the D&G design to be intuitive and frank, wish their name proudly labelled along the entire side of some styles. Similarly, the style is unique and the brand well developed and renowned. It caters to a seeming oxymoron in the design world- gentle exuberance. From a frontal view the glasses allow maximum visibility of the facial features in an almost elegant and traditional soft manner. From the side they are modern, bold and headstrong, blocking peripheral views of the eye and making the nose appear shorter. The glasses are suitable for multiple face shapes, but especially for people with weak eyebrows or low cheek bones, as the glasses will act to define those features. For 2008 there isn’t an easier pick for high fashion fiends.

Sep

1

Our best selling sunglasses, August 2008

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Bella Boa 10637 has been one of the highest selling sunglasses in the 10637past week, not to mention a steady contender for the entire month. The shades come in various colours, though silver has been one of the more popular this summer. This unisex pair of glasses is versatile, sporty and in the true spirit of stylish outdoorsmen.


945/13Bvlgari BV651B 945/13 is a recent classic fashion accessory worn almost exclusively by fashionable and trendy women. Though it comes in a variety of shades and colours, the tan tint has proven the most popular. They are especially useful when classing up a simple outfit like jeans and a plain white T.


03-555Oakley GASCAN S 03-555 is a fashionable upgrade to the traditional men’s fashion look. They are stark, square and bold—everything a man needs to complete a pristine and masculine appearance. Interestingly enough, these shades sell just as equally well among female customers, thanks, most likely, to the tom-boy popularity of actresses such as Angelina Jolie. Of this month’s top buys, these are by far my favourite.


5AK/2Z1
Prada PR54GS 5AK/2Z1 is design somewhat resembling the Bvlgari style, sleek and without borders, the style is ideal for blondes or hair styles with longer bangs. The light tan/gold look is especially popular this year, with pop stars and Hollywood icons caught red handed in Prada’s latest craze. And, of course, anything from Prada would sell, but their craftsmanship exceeds expectations and the creative and fluid designs inspire hundreds of copycats.


5AV/1A1
Prada Ps52ES 5AV/1A1 is another Prada product of renown, though a bit more traditional and masculine. The bold Prada stamp along the sides demonstrates a certain confidence in the product, and offers the buyer a slight bragging right. The minor frame around the lenses offer are a new design that strays slightly from the frameless look of previous Prada styles.


3343 006
Ray Ban RB3343 006. Ray Ban’s are always in style. From the very first issue to the latest adaptation, you can never go wrong with a Ray Ban purchase. This style is extremely well-worn and classic. You can almost picture an aviator’s face securely behind the frames, gazing out in resolve. This is a solid buy for anyone with traditional tastes.


VE2040
Versace VE2040. is a slight step away from traditional Versace, which emanates elegance and fashion. This style, however, is more simple and therefore more versatile. Like the Ray Ban’s mentioned above, this style is ideal for low key styles and classing up otherwise dull outfits.

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