ITALY. Italian eyewear giant Luxottica Group has introduced the 2008/2009 sunwear collections for a host of leading fashion brands, including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Persol, Prada, Ray-Ban and Versace.
BURBERRY
The Burberry Winter 2008/2009 eyewear collection references iconic Burberry details and draws inspiration from the season’s poetic and elegant ready-to-wear collections.
Acetate sunglasses are modern and oversized in shape and feature Burberry signature icons including the trademark check.
The collection – described as “rich in colour and texture” – also features new metal temple plaques with logo lacing for women and the equestrian knight logo for men’s styles.
The colour palette for the eyewear features vintage hues interspersed with flashes of vibrant colours including taupe, peacock, degradé earth colours, mirroring pieces in the ready-to-wear collections.
Bvlgari
Bvlgari’s 2009 eyewear collection features nine new models:
• 8038 B – 501/3CB: “Limited edition” black acetate sunglasses with enamel and crystal vintage motifs
• 8037 B – 5034/3L1: “Limited edition” pearled red acetate sunglasses with enamel and crystal vintage motifs
• 8037 B – 851/3 B: “Limited edition” dark brown acetate sunglasses with enamel and crystal vintage motifs
• 8036 B – 5030/8G: Pearled red acetate Elisia sunglasses with crystals
• 6025B – 278/13: Light gold metal Elisia sunglasses with crystals
• 5011 – 102/87: Silver acetate and metal aviator sunglasses
• 7005 – 501/31: Black acetate aviator sunglasses
• 7006 – 501/58: Black acetate Parentesi sunglasses
• 7004 – 824/32: Dark brown and black acetate Parentesi sunglasses
D&G
The D&G Sun Collection 2008/2009 is said to display an assertive and refined style. Elegant, wide and soft models with rounded, wrap-around shapes have been designed for those women who pay attention to the latest fashions and trends. The men’s Aviator with its new, original features is a “must-have” of the D&G collections, the company said.
Women’s Sun
DD 3030: Curved model with a wrap-around shape that is said to recall the style and elegance of Hollywood film stars. The arms are adorned with the D&G logo in metal while the front is rounded. The colour palette, in addition to classic black and havana, includes three special tartan versions (grey, beige and red) that echo the theme of the D&G Fall/Winter 2008 fashion show. They are said to be created by a layered colouring technique.
DD 3027: The wide and almost circular shape of this acetate model features a written out D&G logo – placed next to a decorative metal plaque – on the outside of the arm. This model is available in black and havana, as well as the tartan versions (red, beige and grey) that recall the theme of the D&G Fall/Winter 2008 fashion show. These tartan versions are paired with smoke and brown gradient lenses.
DD 6052: Women’s metal model with a wide shape and soft design. The raised D&G logo on the outside of the arm is highlighted by the use of colours that contrast with the colour of the frame. This model features a plastic arm tip that is said to enhance wearability and comfort. Available in gunmetal, black, gold, silver and brown, it has APX lenses designed to make the glasses lightweight and ensure excellent optical quality.
Men’s Sun
DD 6050: Assertive men’s model with metal front and acetate arms. Inspired by aviator glasses, this model features screws positioned across its bridge and a square D&G logo on the arm. The colour palette offers combinations of gold and black and black and green havana as well as pairings of brown with beige tartan, and silver with grey tartan. The lenses are polycarbonate and in the gradient versions they are APX.
DD 6051: This aviator-inspired model pairs different materials such as metal and injection-moulded acetate on the arms as well as on the front. The arms are adorned on the outside with the D&G logo, while a special plaque decorates the upper part of the front. The colour palette includes classic black, havana and beige and the brighter shades of red and purple. The lenses are APX in the gradient versions or mirrored.
DD 6047: This drop-shape, 1970s-style model features a thin, elegant double bridge. The front frame is made entirely of metal while the arms are injection-moulded acetate. It is available in black, havana, beige, white and purple. The lenses are polycarbonate and in the gradient versions, brown and smoke, they are APX.
DOLCE & GABBANA
The Dolce & Gabbana Sun Collection 2008/2009 features elegant, fine details, and wide and glamorous shapes for women as well as gutsy and sporty shapes for men.
Women’s Sun
DG 4047: Square-shaped sunglasses in 1970s style, made entirely of acetate. The metal DG logo, visible in relief, decorates the arms, which in turn are adorned by a small monogram on the inner part of the arm tip. The lenses are APX. This model features 11 combinations of plastics in contrasting shades and effects that create a play between the arm and the front.
DG 4033: Sunglasses with a wide front made entirely of acetate with a metal logo in relief on the outside of the arm. The model combines plastics in contrasting streaks and shades of purple and fuchsia, red and turquoise, dark havana and red stripes. The plastic lenses are available in grey and bronze gradient versions.
DG 2058: Metal model with wide front, featuring an elegant, slightly curved arm. The Dolce&Gabbana logo is laser-engraved on the outside, while the DG monogram adorns the plastic arm tip. The lenses are APX, and include gradient versions in shades of brown and grey paired with gold and silver. This model is also available in brown and cherry versions.
Men’s Sun
DG 2064: This model, with a wide front and acetate arms, is decorated with the Italian flag and the Dolce&Gabbana logo to emphasise the sporty touch present in the Dolce&Gabbana GYM collections. The monogram is set inside the arms while the arm tip is adorned with another Italian flag. The lenses, drop-shaped and mounted on a sheet metal mask, are APX. This model is available in black, grey and white.
DG 2061: Also featuring the Italian flag is this mask model with a wrap-around shape, metal bar and wide front. The acetate arms are decorated with the Italian flag and the Dolce&Gabbana logo. The monogram, under resin, is also set inside the arm, which is adorned at the tip with the Italian flag. The lenses are APX and the colour palette includes classic black, grey and white.
DG 2063Q: “Drop” model with precious leather details. This model is made of alpacca, an alloy of nickel, aluminium and zinc. The Dolce&Gabbana logo is laser-engraved on the outer part of the arm, while leather details outline the frame and the upper part of the front. This model has a flexible hinge to enhance comfort and the glass lens gives it optical qualities such as brightness, extreme hardness, transparency and non-deformability. It is available in classic black, dark brown and tan as well as the more original shades of grey, white and blue.
DG 2056: Sunglasses with a metal front and unique acetate decoration between the lenses, offered in the same colour as the arms. The metal Dolce&Gabbana logo is under resin at the level of the arm, while the DG monogram is placed on the inner part of the tip. The lenses are APX. The varied colour palette offers grey streaked, green streaked and dark streaked, as well as horn, black and light and dark havana.
MIU MIU
The Miu Miu 2009 sunwear collection offers a variety of new and unusual shapes – all large and feminine – that play on the contrast between lens size and ultra-light frames. A feminine collection that combines warm and natural colours with new fade hues: smoke, brown, green, chestnut and purple.
Model SMU01I: Ultralight injected nylon design, with extra large lenses and concave arms for a soft look. The sophisticated style of these glasses is said to be emphasised in particular by new fade tones: purple, green and brown.
Model SMU03I: A “decisive and elegant” design, with an ample, square shape. A play of thicknesses starts from the front and continues on the arms, decorated with the Miu Miu logo in metal split in two, from which a raised decoration fades toward the end.
Model SMU05I: The unusual, irregular and moving shape of these frames play on the contrast between fullness and void, with millings and vents. Miu Miu’s drilled M on the arms is outlined in metal.
Model SMU15H: Sinuous and feminine, with very wide lenses, contoured at the sides and featuring delicate fade colors. The arms end in an unusual, wavy shape.
Model SMU50I: Metal rimmed frames with double bridge and lenses in a soft oval shape that splits at the sides. Available in a range of classic tones, silver, gun metal, and brass, in combination with fade lenses in soft shades.
PERSOL
Persol has incorporated new designs in its Collezione Suprema and Collezione Design Spring/Summer 2009 collections, which focus on the revival of acetate carving.
Persol Collezione Suprema
PO 2912S: A masculine design that reinterprets Persol’s iconic shapes through marked lines, echoed by the wide arms. On the inside, the frames feature a metal plaque laser engraved with the Persol logo. The classic six mm arrow is applied on the front and acts as the hinge for the Flex stem. Acetate carving is said to be ideal for new colour textures such as the streaky brown hue light havana (837).
PO 2919S: The chromatic contrast of the front and arms of this model creates elegant colour combinations, according to the brand. The crystal lenses are also available in a graduated version. The model’s signature is the six mm arrow applied to the front, the Flex arm with two small metal cylinders, and the heat engraving on the inside of the arm tail. The colour palette includes the brand’s traditional tortoiseshell (24), dark red (844) and dark purple (845), with anti-reflective graduated lenses.
Persol Collezione Design
PO 2911S: The large, 10 mm arrow which is also a hinge, stands out and is said to represent an element of continuity between the front and the arms. The arms feature the two small metal cylinders of the patented Meflecto system, which allows the glasses to adapt to the anatomy of any face. The acetate carving enables a play of thicknesses between front and stems, while the colour palette includes both classical and trendy options: tortoiseshell (24), burgundy (685), speckled havana (824), black (95), and smoke (836). The crystal lenses are available in a variety of colours, among them the new Blu Persol. This design features the heat engraved Persol logo on the inside of the arm end as well.
PO 2918S: The acetate carving here is used on the front, contoured around the slightly inset lenses, and in the carving stems. The large, 10 mm arrow, the arms with the two metal cylinders, the heat engraving on the inside of the arm reflect renewed vintage trends. The crystal lenses are also available in a graduated version and combine with the colors that include light havana (106), pearlized beige (807), and chestnut brown (842).
PRADA
The Prada Spring/Summer 2009 collection is highlighted by substantial shapes. The colour of the lens in this collection is gradient so that the eye is always visible through the lens.
Model SPR05L: Model with a soft, feminine shape, featuring an air vent on the sides of the wide lenses. For the first time the “˜arrow’ logo is decorated with coloured enamel that repeats the tones of the ultra-light, injection-moulded nylon frame.
Model SPR09L: Curving, elegant acetate frame with an original wavy arm which feature a metal decoration running along its entire length. Besides the classic colours of black, tortoiseshell and blond, the model is also available in the new golden brown tones in shades of smoke and purple.
Model SPR16L: Classic model in milled acetate featuring the iconic Prada leatherwear symbol: the triangular, enameled metal plaque with the logo and emblem of this brand which was founded in Milan in 1913.
Model SPR13L: Wide men’s model with a square shape highlighted by a metal element inset in the acetate on the top. A metal, L-shaped finishing detail is placed at the arm joint.
Model SPR52L: A classic metal aviator model with wide, drop-shaped lenses and double-bridge. Slender, elegant arms in injection-moulded nylon on a metal core.
PRADA LINEA ROSSA
The Prada Linea Rossa 2008/2009 collection is designed to bring together the two spirits of one person: active and leisure. This collection, with the sole exception of metal, plays on one single material: acetate. It also uses powdery shades such as army green, stone or dark brown, alternating with solid black, white and red.
Model SPS01I: Ultra-lightweight model in injection-moulded nylon, flat and square in shape, it has a metal hinge with visible screws, and is decorated with the unmistakable red stripe.
Model SPS02I: This classic model in base six uses the technical solutions of more wrap-around, high performance models with superinjection-moulded rubber inserts and upper air vents against tarnishing.
Model SPS03I: Mask-style with bi-spherical lens, with a decisive, wrap-around shape. The inside parts, in superinjection-moulded rubber, and the upper air vents is said to make this model extremely technical and lightweight. The sporty black front is paired with black, stone or white ends, with rubber inside. Also available in all red with mirrored lenses.
Model SPS04I: Ultra-lightweight model in injection-moulded nylon, with grained rubber nose pads and a striped metal decoration that starts from the sides of the lenses ending in the unmistakable red line.
Model SPS50I: Double-bridge, metal model with classic drop-shaped lenses and striped metal decoration on the bridge and the arms. The injection-moulded nylon arms come in new matte shades of black, blue, dark brown and army green.
RAY-BAN
Ray-Ban’s Spring/Summer 2009 Collection focuses on solid and two-tone coloured acetate models alongside titanium frames.
RB 4125 CATS 5000: A reissue of the historic “˜Cats’ model, the “˜Cats 5000′ frame is made of injection-moulded acetate and features rounded teardrop lenses and double-bridge. The frame has vintage hinges and the iconic Ray-Ban logo stamped on the arms. It comes in 11 different shades, including the pairing of green lenses with classic shiny black (601), alongside newer combinations with deep red (730), dark purple (737) and burgundy (739), as well as shiny Havana with anti-reflective blue gradient brown lenses (710/51) and brown with polarised lenses (710/57).
RB 4126 CATS 1000: A reissue of the original “˜Cats’ model, the “˜Cats 1000′ is the feminine version, featuring the characteristic elongated shape but without the masculine double bridge. This injection-moulded acetate model features vintage hinges and stamped Ray-Ban logo. The colour choices range from classic shiny black with green glass lenses (601), to shiny sand with anti-reflective blue gradient brown lenses (719/51), as well as purple with green lenses (737) and lilac, holding gradient pink silver mirrored lenses (738/3E).
RB 3387: This wide metal model with double bridge has a linear quality reminiscent of the traditional Ray-Ban style. The logo is stamped on the outside of the flex arm, with acetate tips. The seven colours include classic shiny black with polarised green lenses (002/9A) and matte black with green-grey lenses (006/71), which are offered alongside shiny gunmetal (004/71).
RB 4113 JACKIE OHH III: These injection-moulded glasses are distinguished by a vintage style and contemporary look that is said to appeal to people who follow the latest fashion trends. The front is large and rounded; the arm bears the metal olive and typical vintage hinge. This model comes in a wide range of colours, including shiny red with gradient brown lenses (730/13), shiny white with gradient grey lenses (722/8G) and, along with shiny havana (710/71), shiny grey havana paired with gradient green lenses (731/8E).
RB 4086: The wide, wrap-around mask plays on a colour contrast between the front of the frame and the lenses. The thin arms bear the logo engraved in metal. The range of new colours include red with havana arms and gradient brown lenses (726/13), solid sand with havana arms and gradient brown lenses (721/13).
VERSACE
Versace’s 2009 Sunglasses Collection features the Versace logo in enamel – or the classic Greek fret motif in metal or Swarovski crystals – on the arms of the new models in acetate.
The collection has a retro vibe: the generous shapes of the women’s glasses recall the 70’s, while the men’s glasses channel classic aviator shades.
Vibrant colours are the hallmark of the new collection, ranging from metallic effect violet and red or green to classic claret and black.
The VE4157 model for women has a frame with a broad, rounded shape. This model is available in shades from black and havana, to claret and bottle green. Decorative screws embellish the lenses and the Versace logo decorates the acetate arms.
The VE4159B model, with its rectangular frame in injection-moulding, is embellished with the Greek fret motif in a diamanté pavé set in a special enamelled base. The Swarovski crystals stand out against the colours of the frames: havana, dark purple, claret or black. The Medusa logo placed under resin on the inner surface of the arms provides the finishing touch.
The VE4151B oversize sunglasses features the Greek fret motif in Swarovski lighting up the eight base lens, while the Versace logo in metal is set in the injection-moulded arms. The frames of this women’s model feature striking chromatic effects in black tortoiseshell or metallic violet and red.
The Greek fret motif again distinguishes model VE4152, with crystal lenses and six base acetate frames. The symbol of the House in silk-screened metal appears lengthways at the temple end of the arms on both the inside and the outside. A glossy metal bridge accents the front. This is a contemporary reinterpretation of the timeless aviator model, according to the brand.
The ultra lightweight model VE4153 features wrap lenses. The men’s acetate sunglasses with the Greek fret motif engraved on the metal arms come in a palette of frame colours: black, coffee brown, wood look brown, claret and pale tortoiseshell.
All Versace lenses is said to provide 100% UV protection.
VERSUS
The new Versus eyewear collection features simple shapes and rich colours ranging from glossy black to silver, smoke gray, dark blue, tan, brown and fuchsia.
Lenses play with both shades and shadings and come in a multiplicity of versions: silver, smoke gray, pink, brown and dark blue. Bars always feature the Versus logo, in any number of different forms: etched, deeply engraved, applied or strass studded.
VR 5042: Acetate wrap model; bars with metal intaglio logo support a sole large shaded lens. These sunglasses are available in four colour options: black, light brown, metalized purple and metalized green. To pair with a maxi lens in smoke gray, army green, brown or pink.
VR 5040: Unisex model in acetate with steel detailing. The logo takes the shape of a small metal plate on bars. Lenses are slightly oval, shaded. There is a choice of five colours: black, tan, dark blue/green, brown and purple.
VR 6058: Wrap shades with maxi lenses. For contrast, the Versus logo set in the bar of the acetate frame is in steel. Along with classic black, a bolder palette of blue, turquoise and tan is available.
VR 6059: A distinctly feminine model with high-impact design, complete with precious white strass-studded logo. This acetate frame is available in black, light brown, dark blue and fuchsia, with solid tone or shaded lenses.
VR 6056: Unisex model with a “hi-tech allure”. The acetate frame with detail in steel has the Versus logo etched on the slim silver bars. The drop-shape lenses are coloured and clear (options: smoke gray, dark blue, purple, brown). To pair with a frame in black, tan, metalized brown, dark blue or purple.
VOGUE
Vogue’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection offers a variety of bold shapes, many of which are inspired by the 60s, and employs a mix of detailing across all trends.
The collection is made up of 24 models – 19 for women and five for men – in acetate and metal.
VO 2564SB: Statement “diva” frame in injection-moulded acetate, with a front marked by subtle faceting and bevelled edges. The thick, modelled arms are adorned with a crystal rhinestone detail, set in the engraved logo. There is also a gradient lens option. Available colours include burgundy gradient grey (1652/11) and gradient purple (1653/8H).
VO 2565SB: A shiny acetate model, with the faceting of the front that continues on the wide arms. The Vogue logo engraved on the arm is adorned with a rhinestone set in place of the “O”. This model, suitable for glazing with prescription sunglass lenses, is available in an array of colours, ranging from shiny black gradient grey (W44/11) to burgundy gradient grey (1652/11) and super-chic gradient grey (1654/11).
VO 2568S: This 60s-style acetate model has a wide front and slender, minimalist arms. This model is available in a range of colours catering to the demands of “a youthful, spirited audience”: shiny black gradient grey (W44/11), streaked havana gradient brown (1508/13), burgundy gradient grey (1652/11), silver gradient grey (1661/11) and gradient purple (1653/8H). This model can also hold prescription sunglass lenses.
VO 2563SB: This model, with large square shapes softened by a marked rounding, can hold gradient prescription sunglass lenses. A metal fashion detail is inserted between the front and the arm, with rhinestones offered in lively fashion colours. The colour palette includes havana gradient green (1612/8E) and gradient streaked brown (1627/13).
VO 2566SB: This wide, wrap-around model features a visible hinge that lightens the line between the front and the arm. It also has an original metal half moon set with rhinestones, placed at the joint of the arm and decorated with a blocked-out metal trim. The colour range includes black and grey black, gradient marked brown (1655/13), gradient marked green (1657/8E) and gradient marked purple (1656/8H).
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