SIZE MATTERS
 
Supersize me this year when it comes to-- SUNGLASSES.  According to a January 2005 WWD Accessories column written by Marc Karimzadeh:  "... The industry hasn't focused on this (oversized) retro styling & on plastics in particular in some years, so it's something new that consumers need in their wardrobes... Oversized plastics have become big & very glamorous.  It's a lot of celebrity influence... In a time of celebrity culture & reality shows, everybody wants to have their 15 minutes of fame.  Big sunglasses make you look famous." --OR-- make you look silly depending on your face shape & the type of frame.  Ironically, the Olsen twins are mentioned in this column & are credited with triggering this eyewear trend in NYC.  These impishly-petite girls make everything they wear look larger!!  [I find that anytime I see pix of them they always look like they were playing "dress-up" again from their Mommy's closet].
 
    Younger people are raiding thrift shops & sporting oversized, vintage frames that reflect a modern downtown sense of glamour.  Style icon Kate Moss has always been a fan of super-sized "sunnies".  But perhaps the trend should be traced back to the original style influence of Jackie O.  These large-scale shades for your peepers truly never go out of style.  They first surfaced during the 50's & 60's-- the early days of paparazzi.  Picture Sophia Loren in a glamorous Fellini-esque pair of black shades.
 
    Larger-than-life designs became popular again in the 70's & 80's.  Back in the day, Cazals were worn by hip-hop's finest founders- such as Run DMC.  Kids, FYI, the cult eyewear range, Cazal(created by Cari Zalloni) has been reborn.  To see their present day "wild styles", check out www.cazal-eyewear.com.
 
    If vintage shades are your thing, check out www.lindafarrowvintage.com  -named for the mum of Simon Jablon, who happened to stumble across her stock of vintage sunglasses.  This stash boasts an array of original 70's & 80's designs, such as Emilio Pucci, Stendhal & the original Aviators(that Ms. Moss likes to sport).
 
    A modern-day hip-hop collaboration is Pharrell Williams & Nigo(founder of Bathing Ape) with:  Louis Vuitton.  Pharrell really was involved with the design process- the weight, the glasses, a lot of the details.  I'm sure if Pharrell is involved, these shades will be ambitiously larger-than-life & will pop up in the hip-hop community as much as he seems to pop up in various song & video collaborations.  This Spring will be Louis Vuitton's first sunglass collection. (Hard to believe they did not have one already).  These striking shades will be hitting Louis Vuitton Boutiques in April '05 & will be priced from $300 to $500.  Let's see how long it will take to see Canal Street's "collection" of knock-offs.
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    This Spring, if you really want to flex your "specs" appeal with oversized frames, keep these pointers in mind:  Big shades suit wide or heart-shaped faces best.  Wear them really dark for maximum impact.  Avoid wearing red lipstick, though.  It's too Eighties, too "Addicted To Love".  Go light on the amount of jewelry you wear & let the bold shades be the "star of the show".  Kids, you never know... someone might stop you & ask excitedly: "Aren't you ---?!"
 

Faith