I've been in the market for a new pair of sunglasses for awhile, but really wanted to take my time to find the perfect pair. The addition of an accessory that will feature so prominently on my face wasn't something I wanted to take too lightly. I'd narrowed down my search to two similar cat eye styles, both by Tom Ford. The cat eye was a style that was popular in the 1950's; an era of crinolines, circle skirts, and Dior's New Look.
Ford launched his eyewear in 2005 and continues to be one of my favorite designers. I was leaning towards the MADISON, an exaggerated enamel frame featuring a criss cross design and grey gradient lenses. I decided to snap a selfie in the store mirror to send to my mother. Sometimes, I require her expert opinion. Her prompt reply? "You look like a honey bee!" I was sold. Something about the idea of looking like an insect who supplies the world with the sweetest condiment made me smile.
SHADES, SUNNIES, AND SUNGLASSES have been around for a very long time. In prehistoric times, Inuits were known to wear flattened "glasses" made of ivory with narrow slits to shield their eyes from harmful rays. Twelfth century China saw the use of sunglasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz and the Roman emperor Nero was said to have watched gladiator contest through emeralds. These styles were all precursors that led to modern day eyewear.
I'm not sure how much I've ever really thought about my sunglasses other than how they looked on my face. That really made me think, "Do we purchase sunglasses more for Fashion or for function?" In terms of function, sunglasses are meant to protect your eyes from sunlight and ultra violet rays. But in my opinion, they can be so much more. For instance, THESE SUNGLASSES turned me into a bumblebee.
PHOTO BY AAP