ICONS OF EYEWEAR

No matter what era comes to mind, you can think of some one who's eyewear defines them and the time.  People like Benjamin Franklin, who is credited for inventing bifocals.  Funny man Groucho Marx and Albert Einstein both had signature eyewear looks. Would we have thought of them the same without their glasses?  Who knows?

Then you have the trendsetters.  In that category there is nobody bigger then the legendary Jackie O!  50 years after she left the White House she is still influencing modern day designers.  Every time I put a large, plastic, rounded sunglass on a women she looks in the mirror and says "very Jackie O!"  Mrs. Kennedy's eyewear designers of choice were Nina Ricci, Francois Pinton, and Traction.  Interestingly enough all French designers.  This fact would stir quite a controversy today if our current first lady would choose to wear a non American designer.  Another rather mind blowing fact about how Jackie O put her permanent stamp on the eyewear world is that Nina Ricci still produces the 3203 that Mrs. Kennedy wore in the 60s.  Also Francois Pinton has a frame in his current collection named Jackie 1 after the original that we all fell in love with.

The Nina Ricci 3203 then and now

Jackie O in Francois Pinton (PS I would kill for that YSL coat!)

Francois Pinton Jackie 1 available today

Other notable icons include John Lennon, Buddy Holly, Sally Jesse Rafael, and Sarah Palin.  All of which still influence frame styles.  You can't put a round metal frame on any man without him referencing John Lennon.  If Buddy Holly were around today he could be a Tom Ford model!  Sarah Palin started our obsession with drill mounts (frameless).  Although her's were magic and allowed her to see Russia from her home in Alaska! Even the Tura 311 worn by Sally Jesse Rafael is still available in about 15 colors including red! Although even she has moved on to other styles.  She does however continue to wear her signature red color.

Sally Jesse Rafael then and now

My picks for modern day eyewear icons are Chef Carla Hall from the Chew, Project Runway's Mondo Guerra, and always and forever the king of all eyewear Sir Elton John.  These three inspire me because they don't really have a signature look.  They make bold, fearless choices and ROCK them!!! Just like me!

TOP 5 EYEWEAR TRENDS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Spring time in the eyewear business means Vision Expo East.  This is where all the designers showcase their new offerings for the spring and summer seasons.  It is like our version of fashion week.  Though I will not be attending in person, I've had previews from our sales reps and have closely followed every designer humanly possible.  I've shifted through all of the information and have nailed down my Top 5 trends for spring/summer 2014.

Now the word trend has a bad connotation.  It suggests here today and gone tomorrow.  I took this into consideration when developing this Top 5.  Even though these 5 things are having their moment right now, they all will become staples in your eyewear wardrobe.  They are styles that you will be able to revisit a few years down the road and not look dated.

1.TORTOISE - Tortoise is the new black!  This one is for EVERYBODY!  I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone though.  This includes me!  If you have lighter features and are a veteran tortoise wearer I'm recommending you try some of the lighter, brighter tortoises that we are seeing this season.  I know, I hear your gasp from here.  Asking you to step away from that beautiful brown and gold that you know and love is pretty close to asking you to give up your first born but trust me you'll be fine.  Now for my fellow dark featured folks.  Let's face it, we are addicted to our chunky black frames!  We love them like our best friends but I urge you and me to go for a dark tortoise this year.  It adds interest and dimension to your look.

Looking from top to bottom. The first two the Kensie Feather and the Kenneth Cole 0207 are examples of the lighter, brighter version of tortoise I was referring to. The last two, the Dragon Claudio and Vance show what I want my fellow black, chunky frame addicts to consider.

2. CAT EYES - Two words ladies INSTANT LIFT!  I don't know anyone who would turn that down.  This looks takes many forms, from the extreme to the subtle.  Tom Ford is the king of the cat eye right now!  

From top to bottom. Tom Ford 0304, Tom Ford 032, and Tom Ford 5227. I actually have done the first two frames clear for patients and they looked AWESOME!

3. COLOR - This seems like a very broad category but the two things I want you to focus on is color layering and color fading.

From top to bottom. Calvin Klein 7924 and Calvin Klein 7923 are examples of color fade. The third and fourth styles respectfully Kensie Shine and Prodesign 4708 (in SF Giants color BTW) show you the layering affect.

4. ROUND - Within the industry we refer to this as P3.  It is classic and Penguin does it very well.

From top to bottom. Penguin The Combs, Penguin The Murphy, and for something totally different JF Rey 2522.

5. THE CLUBMAN - Another retro but very timeless look.  Penguin also approaches this with a modern flare.

From top to bottom. Penguin Stoltz and Penguin Mulligan.

MONOCLES??? REALLY???

Trends are funny things.  I'm always curious who starts them and how do they catch on?  The New York Times reported last week that monocles are the new and hottest fashion accessory.  This is the first I've even heard about this and I have yet to see droves of young hipsters walking down the street with these one eyed marvels but I'll take their word for it.  A San Francisco based retailer was quoted in the article as saying that his sales of monocles have tripled in the last year.  His main customer you ask?  Men who are opting to sport the monocles instead of dollar store reading glasses.  What I say to that is invest in a custom pair of reading glasses.  They make a much better statement!  Considering the fact that this blog is called 4 Eyed And Fabulous and not 3 Eyed And Fabulous I'm going to have to give a thumbs down to this so called trend.When it comes to eyewear I'm more Sir Elton John and less Mr. Peanut.  Although if Tom Ford comes out with a monocle I may have to reconsider.