Recently in Sunglasses Category

Unfortunately the retro style of Chloe's new folding Dionee sunglasses ($358) don't look good on my face, because I absolutely love the space-saving concept. Each of the shades fold down to fit into a cute petite, egg-shaped sunglasses case making them the ideal shades for anyone traveling or for those who favor small clutches/handbags. I ordered them online (but returned them after seeing how unflattering they were on my face shape), and when my brother saw them on my dining room table, he actually thought I had broken them! Conversation starting design...

The Chloe Dionee Sunglasses come in black with silver metal or tortoise with gold metal.

Looking for a pair of fabulous vintage shades? RetroSun was started by Nicole Miller who has been sourcing retro designer shades since 2005. Every pair of shades in the collection is from the 70s or 80s and there are a bunch from Christian Dior, Gucci, Valentino, Gianfranco Ferre, Paloma Picasso, and Porsche Carrera. These aren't your run-of-the-mill shades with a designer name just stamped on them. They're unique, conversation pieces and you'll definitely get noticed in almost every pair. I'm a huge Paloma Picasso fan (I even have a bedding from the designer!), but finding items from the designer aside from her Tiffany jewelry isn't easy so I'm particularly drawn to the Retrosun Paloma Picasso Vintage Sunglasses ($210) and the Retrosun Vintage Paloma Picasso Sunglasses ($220) - true collector's pieces!

I went to Madrid a few months ago to visit a friend who moved there for work. While the gorgeous city has got every designer brand you could think of (and many of them are conveniently close to the city's major museums!), the best discovery I made while I was there was Bimba & Lola. I keep meaning to start a Facebook group "Bring Bimba & Lola to the US!". The store has an amazing selection of affordable (think about double the price of Zara), ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They have a slew of boutiques around Spain and recently expanded to Asia (they have locations in Portugal, France, and a few other countries as well...). If you're traveling to Europe or Asia I urge you to look at their site to see if there's a Bimba & Lola boutique in the city where you'll be! The boutique targets 20 to 40-somethings and they've got a slew of original pieces that will take you from the office to the bar. The over-all aesthetic is feminine, but understated and most of the designs come in both neutral as well as popping colors.

She may have left the Valentino Haute Couture at home while attending the Coachella music festival, but for Camilla Belle, that's no reason to skimp on style. The young style icon sported a pair of Jason Wu's new "Seberg" topaz sunglasses from the Spring 2010 collection while soaking in the sun and festivities in California. Fashioned in sturdy acetate plastic with stainless steel detail, the glasses are certainly oversized enough to protect Belle's eyes from the UV rays, but note the slight cat-eye detailing on the top brow. It's very reminiscent of a throw-back era, perhaps from the 1920s in my opinion.

$275 available at www.modo.com

Further proof that 80s influenced design is here to stay (for a while at least)-- Diane Kruger was snapped wearing Jason Wu's 'Seberg' sunglasses at the Vancouver International Airport this month (tres Spandau Ballet don't you think?).  I tried on a similar pair over the weekend and love the slight lift in the upper corners, it's so flattering and slimming for my face!  The collection is Jason Wu's first attempt at sunglasses, designed in conjunction with Modo eyewear.  All styles are priced at $275 but I like the Seberg best.  Buy Jason Wu sunglasses here!

Jason Wu introduced his new eyewear collection with Modo on the runway of his Spring 2010 show on September 11th, 2009. The collection will arrive in-stores this January. "Launching an eyewear collection felt like a natural progression for the Jason Wu brand," explained designer Jason Wu. "The pieces combine sleek, modern finishes, which I love, with unusual materials and details. I wanted to put my stamp on an item which would be accessible to a broader market  and  with an inherently chic connotation--sunglasses." The sunglass and optical collection was inspired by the modern and innovative ready-to-wear collections of designer Jason Wu. It will consist of four styles, two feminine and two unisex, and will be available in four to five finishes per style. The colors include semi-translucent crystals in aquamarine, topaz, onyx, opal, olivine, noir, caramel and richly textured tortoise. The shapes include:

1) Seberg: An updated cat-eye, slightly rounded with metal brow detail.
2) Earhart: An oversized aviator with metal brow bar and end piece.
3) Jett: A quirky, retro-inspired shape.
4) Mia : A timeless, oversized frame with beveled edges.

The materials include handmade Japanese plastic with double-brushed stainless steel details and double-gradient CR-39 lenses. Each style is distinguished by subtle logo treatments in one of four different accent colors, which correspond to the interior treatments on Jason's garments. The collection will retail for $275.

I'm supposed to report on these new sunglasses by Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow ($325) but I can't get over Chloe's jeans!  This is why Earl jeans came into fashion in the early 90s, no?  Because the high waisted ones were so unflattering?  But back to the glasses, Alexander Wang has created a line of sunglasses for Linda Farrow and though I wouldn't wear these in public, they certainly will come in handy come Halloween.  Check out the entire line here.

It's difficult to remain an indie in the world of big corporations but Edward Beiner eyewear has managed to not only stay in business but is expanding- and gaining quite the following along its way. The understated elegance and classic cool of his frames-both regular and prescription, are enough to make believers out of some of Hollywood's most fashionable. Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Heidi Klum and Alicia Keys are already loyal customers, all of whom visit his nine Florida locations regularly.  I am a huge fan of his aviator frames, they are lightweight and fit better than Oliver Peoples aviators.  Check out Edward Beiner eyewear selections here.

I was embarrassed to admit my obsession of The Row when it first launched, I mean, from the twins of Full House!?!?  But after many solid seasons, The Row has proven itself to be a covet worthy brand with must have basics to layer in one's wardrobe. Very excited to hear their foray into accessories (do we think bags are in the horizon, definitely!).  First up, eye wear-- Barneys is receiving The Row sunglasses collection one month before anyone else in the USA!  They will be at the stores the last week in December-- we've got exclusive photos for you but you'll have to go in to the stores to get your paws on them.  All Styles are $325.

We are having a love affair with all things inspired by the 80's including these urban chic sunglasses from Derek Lam on Jessica Alba.  Love the smaller size on Jessica and the color could not be more perfect on her.  I'm really over super oversized peepers that make you look like a giant bug!  What about you, are you sporting giant round shades with logos?  Sunglasses are $275 at Derek Lam boutique.  Call Wayne 212-966-1616