Must-have gold lenses inspired by 'Sex and the City'
August 8, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
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THANKS to a heavy celebrity showing and the lure of limited-edition luxury, gold-lensed sunglasses are shining brightly. The trend of 24-karat gold-lensed sunglasses seems to have stemmed from a plethora of paparazzi shots of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and others wearing them. Badgley Mischka Perry sunglasses by Sama Eyewear were spotted on Jolie this fall as she traipsed through Italy.
Next, Rihanna sported the same frames in her "So Hard" video. This spring, Sarah Jessica Parker towered over the fashionable populace in billboards for "Sex and the City 2" wearing Mykita & Bernhard Willhelm's Franz limited edition gold aviators.
Lindsay Champine, a manager at Urban Optiques, an upscale eyewear provider, said the style's popularity is directly related to this celebrity placement.
"Sarah Jessica Parker from 'Sex and the City 2' wore them in the opening scenes, so that has a lot to do with it." she said.
It may seem paradoxical to embrace a metal like gold as it continues to skyrocket in price.
But, according to Kristen McCabe, vice president of Sun and Luxury Products for Ray-Ban, "Because of its cost, gold lenses are usually associated with limited editions," which increases demand.
Last month, the precious metal was selling for more than US$1,200 an ounce compared with an average of US$928.64 in May 2009 and US $421.87 in May 2005.
When asked why she believed gold-frame sunglasses remained popular in a downsizing economy, Urban Optiques' Champine said: "They always say that in hard times women are known to keep the home front pretty and will spend extra money for lipstick and perfume. I think the same can be said here of these feel-good items."
Sama Eyewear, which produces its own signature collection in conjunction with Badgley Mischka and Loree Rodkin Eye Couture sunglasses, fancies itself the forefather of gold lens eyewear.
In May 2009 the brand unveiled a limited edition series, Sahara Heart of Gold for Sama Eyewear, with 24-karat gold lenses with microplating of light, 24-karat coating.
According to a Sama spokesman, the impetus behind incorporating gold was the importance of limited edition luxury styles. Sama Eyewear retails from US$550 to US$1,100; with the exception of the Sahara Heart of Gold collection, which is priced at US$1,500, of which all proceeds go to the Betty Ford Center.
Mykita introduced its limited edition gold aviators, which retail for US$525, last year during Berlin Fashion Week.
Co-owner Philipp Haffmans said, "Once the images from the set of 'Sex and the City 2' were released we were inundated with e-mails and calls and immediately had a long waiting list. Sales have been fantastic."
Numerous designers have launched or will soon launch 24-karat lines, including David Yurman, Michael Kors, Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen, Elizbeth and James.
Ray-Ban has produced gold lenses in aviator frames since its inception, but produces more now, including glasses for Chanel (US$485).
Next, Rihanna sported the same frames in her "So Hard" video. This spring, Sarah Jessica Parker towered over the fashionable populace in billboards for "Sex and the City 2" wearing Mykita & Bernhard Willhelm's Franz limited edition gold aviators.
Lindsay Champine, a manager at Urban Optiques, an upscale eyewear provider, said the style's popularity is directly related to this celebrity placement.
"Sarah Jessica Parker from 'Sex and the City 2' wore them in the opening scenes, so that has a lot to do with it." she said.
It may seem paradoxical to embrace a metal like gold as it continues to skyrocket in price.
But, according to Kristen McCabe, vice president of Sun and Luxury Products for Ray-Ban, "Because of its cost, gold lenses are usually associated with limited editions," which increases demand.
Last month, the precious metal was selling for more than US$1,200 an ounce compared with an average of US$928.64 in May 2009 and US $421.87 in May 2005.
When asked why she believed gold-frame sunglasses remained popular in a downsizing economy, Urban Optiques' Champine said: "They always say that in hard times women are known to keep the home front pretty and will spend extra money for lipstick and perfume. I think the same can be said here of these feel-good items."
Sama Eyewear, which produces its own signature collection in conjunction with Badgley Mischka and Loree Rodkin Eye Couture sunglasses, fancies itself the forefather of gold lens eyewear.
In May 2009 the brand unveiled a limited edition series, Sahara Heart of Gold for Sama Eyewear, with 24-karat gold lenses with microplating of light, 24-karat coating.
According to a Sama spokesman, the impetus behind incorporating gold was the importance of limited edition luxury styles. Sama Eyewear retails from US$550 to US$1,100; with the exception of the Sahara Heart of Gold collection, which is priced at US$1,500, of which all proceeds go to the Betty Ford Center.
Mykita introduced its limited edition gold aviators, which retail for US$525, last year during Berlin Fashion Week.
Co-owner Philipp Haffmans said, "Once the images from the set of 'Sex and the City 2' were released we were inundated with e-mails and calls and immediately had a long waiting list. Sales have been fantastic."
Numerous designers have launched or will soon launch 24-karat lines, including David Yurman, Michael Kors, Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen, Elizbeth and James.
Ray-Ban has produced gold lenses in aviator frames since its inception, but produces more now, including glasses for Chanel (US$485).
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