As I write this post the weather outside is less than pleasant (I blame the good weather from the past few weeks for getting me excited for summer prematurely), which makes now the perfect time to start planning your sunnies before summer really begins. When it comes to shades, nobody does it quite as well as Nicole Richie and the Olsens and with that in mind it comes at no surprise that their respective lines, Elizabeth & James and House of Harlow 1960, are delivering some of the best styles this season.
Over the past year I've been sporting my tortoiseshell wayfarers but Richie's House of Harlow 'Chelsea' shades in black will definitely be my go to pair of sunglasses this year. If you're looking to make an investment the round-framed styles from Linda Farrow for The Row are equally as good, especially if you like the black version that Mary-Kate Olsen has been sported over the last few years. For more wallet friendly styles, head to Topshop who have very similar styles but for less than £30 or if the cat-eye is your shape of choice, Whistles do the perfect reinterpretation of Tom Ford's much loved frames.
She may be unpredictable when it comes to her wardrobe, but with the undeniable effect she has on fashion it was only a matter of time before Lady Gaga picked up a pencil and started designing.
Reports from WWDsuggest that the outlandish singer is to design sunglasses for Linda Farrow, a brand who holds The Row, Alexander Wang and Dries van Noten as previous collaborators. Although a dabble in the design world may have been inevitable for Gaga, her designs will surely be something to shock - particularly if the shades she sports in her latest video for 'Telephone' are anything to go by. Watch this space.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are designing a range of sunglasses for The Row’s next season collection. The range, which will be produced by Linda Farrow - high fashion, high luxury eyewear designer, who also designs for Raf Simons, Matthew Williamson and Dries van Noten - will feature a classic metal aviator, an oversized square frame, a vintage-inspired brown rimmed frame and a pair of 60s inspired round shades.
“Designing eye wear was definitely more complicated than we thought,” said the twins, who hinted that if the collection is successful they may expand the range, and possibly branch into accessories.
Now that the summer months are in arms' reach and you are beginning to plan your summer getaway, it's now the time to start thinking about your sunglasses.
This year we are spoilt for choice. High-end brands and the high street are both serving us with a variety of styles, from aviators to the Jackie O-inspired, oversized LA look.
But shopping for your shades this summer need not break the bank. H&M, Forever 21 and ASOS have a selection of styles similar to the big brands but at a fraction of the price.
