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Life has been a little devoid of brightness of late, which is why, for summer, we’re setting our sights on colourful sunglasses in a seductive spectrum of shades. We suggest investing in some transparent frames in vivid jewel tones that will gleam in the heatwave sun like a precious stone – think Bottega Veneta’s retro futuristic lilac cat-eye frames, Sportmax's athletics-inspired styles in emerald green, and Gucci’s oversized 1970s opticals in cerulean, among others.
The most outré new opticals tap into S/S 2021's wider penchant for punchy bright tones, which popped up on the catwalk at brands including Akris, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Christopher John Rogers and Roksanda. There's a high-energy optimism behind these hues and tones, which work to bring positivity to a year dominated by the dark shades of the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘Colour is everything to me, this season more than ever before,’ Akris' Albert Kriemler told Wallpaper* back in September 2020, in relation to his collaboration with Imi Knoebel, the German abstract artist renowned for his skill as a colourist.
Colourful sunglasses: life just got a little brighter (and hotter)!
£195, by Salvatore Ferragamo
If you're keen to reflect an entire prism of cheer-giving colours, a clear sunglasses silhouette is most striking. Lindberg, Louis Vuitton and Prada are all offering eye-catching options in geometric, graphic and wraparound styles. Prada, for example, has flirted with the utilitarian aviator shape, and is contrasting transparent acetate against kohl black hardware.
When it comes to the Covid-19 pandemic, the clouds have not yet fully parted, but it's safe to say that sunlight is breaking through. When sporting one of these sunglasses styles, from Celine's geometric magenta shades to Fendi's ‘FF’ monogrammed lenses, life might seem to have got a little brighter.
£310, by Celine
£235, by Gucci
£354, by Prada
£265, by Fendi
£300, by Serengeti
£310, by Bottega Veneta
£605, by Louis Vuitton
INFORMATION
This article appears in the June 2021 issue of Wallpaper*, on newsstands now and available as a free PDF download.