There’s nothing better than sporting a drool-worthy pair of shades that expresses our attitudes. And the wackier they are, the hotter you get!
Lady Gaga. Rihanna. Elton John and ‘Wacko Jackson’. What do they all have in common? Yes, they’re all singers and they love all things in-your-face. But their exquisite love for bizarreness is not just limited to clothes; eyewear fashion has become the most sought-after accessory among fashionistas.
The trend was started eons ago when Buddy Holly, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe (remember her in 1953’s How to Marry a Millionaire?) sported cool eyewear. It was a golden period when eyewear was idolised by a new generation. And Elton John’s 70’s-80’s sunglasses story in wacky history is legendary. He made his infamous love affair with wacky eyewear apparent by appearing in some of the most shocking ones – paired well with flamboyant suits and glittery shoes. He supposedly owns at least 2,50,000 pair of glasses and would, till today, gladly prefer them over gadgets.
Wacky Eyewear – Fun & Fearless
As opposed to minimalism, there’s now a return to overt, crazy and completely absurd patterns. Wacky eyewear is the new celebration of design which is worn with an air of style and sophistication. There are several connoisseurs of fashion who are channelling their inner wackiness with these bold and iconic pieces. The trailblazers of this are leading singing sensations such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna – these celebrities are uninhibited and everyone loves their wacky choices. Their eyewear sports spikes, beads, ribbons, chains and other pieces you would not otherwise put to use. Who can forget Beyonce in her infamous Chandelier Eyewear or Lady Gaga in her ‘Mickey’ and ‘fence eye jewel’ sunglasses? But Lady Gaga is also especially in love with obscure vintage frames with a twist. In her video, “Bad Romance”, she was spotted in Carerra’s Champion style. It’s a classic aviator-kinda style that we see a lot on both men and women. Besides, her Marc Jacobs – Mask avatar (transparent pink frame) was truly one of a kind…Rihanna too exhibited her mysterious side with her “Lace” sunglasses and ‘Eye Patch’. Even Hilary Clinton, the Secretary of State at the oath-taking ceremony of her colleague Mike Hammer, donned a pair of purple and green cat eye sunglasses, Mardi Grad-style beads and an oversized ring.
Wacky Brands
Mercury NYC and Stevie Boi can be touted as pioneers as they’ve been in the business for a long time and have provided outlandish eyewear for several occasions. In the 1980’s, companies like Anglo American too created waves.
A plethora of fashion houses are delving deep in this category now and coming out with wacky yet wearable shades that both shock and wows buyers. The styles are unlimited – from the Mohawk Eyewear piece to Chopstick Glasses to Peek-a-book Hand to can-can sunglasses or even the Weaponry range – these will give you ample opportunity to be brave and show off your wacky side.
Another eye-catching trend is what designers are doing with the Cat eye shape. These are not the regular cat eye glasses, mind you. We’re talking about those outrageously oversized and mostly-embellished glasses which have now become like an indispensable asset for fashionistas. And there are many takers who revel in this style. Beth Ditto in her large, purple Mykita glasses is the perfect example. Even French designer Jean Paul Gaultier (remember his wacky Mohawk sunglasses he showed off in Paris?)
SENSUAL LIPS AND LEGS
Wacky glares shaped to resemble lips or stars and further ornamented with animals are also in. A recent example is that of Pascal Jaulent, Art Director of FACE à FACE, underlining the shape of sensual lips that take the shape of the frame front. The temples are sculpted into very sexy legs, adorned with glamorous high heels. This amazing concept of “eyewear with irresistible legs’’ has been developed into a festival of frames with stunning temples (legs!), as part of the capsule collection, BOCCA.
Clearly, wacky eyewear is here to stay and evolve. And as long as the desire to stand out in a crowd is there, wacky is the way to go. Go totally wild with your eyewear!
Wacky about Brands
The brand-conscious won’t be disappointed in the wacky collection for sure! Take Roberto Cavalli’s range for example. Their ‘Wild Diva” Special Edition is totally kooky and eccentric. Another entrant is the Alexander McQueen house that displayed its rather interesting visors during the women’s autumn/winter 2012 show. These fanciful headpieces are fearless and exploratory, reflecting the brand’s style and legacy. Others, such as Chanel, too have entered this space. Chanel’s Comb Eyewear worn by Lady Gaga 2011 and Coco Chanel inspired sunglasses are totally unforgettable! And who can ignore creations by Linda Farrow! The British brand has certainly made its presence felt in the ‘wacky’ space and is renowned for its unique yet remarkable set of distinctive eyewear.
