FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
What will be the hot eyewear looks for 2018? Aleesha Harris asked Laura Wilson, eyewear design manager at clearly.ca, what big frame and lens trends we can expect.
Q What is the eyewear “mood” for 2018?
A The general mood in eyewear — and life in general — for 2018 is self-care and wellness. You want to look great, and see great. So, it isn’t just about shape or style, it’s about having frames that feel good when you’re wearing them, and that includes how they fit and how light they are. The right lenses keep your eyes feeling great all day long.
Q Any trends to keep an eye on?
A For frames, the lighter the frames the better, so you’ll be seeing a lot of thin metals, frameless and lighter materials. And, for lenses, we’re seeing digital protection. We all know how much time we spend on our smartphones, tablets and computers, which can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision and even headaches. Digital protection lenses can help combat that while being paired with stylish frames.
Q Any styles that we can expect to see standing out from the pack this year?
A Aviators in all forms. Yes, aviators have definitely been trending for a while, but we’re seeing more innovative and unique aviators come to the forefront, such as round, thin metal, pointed and material combinations, to name a few. We often forget just how versatile an aviator is — we’re not stealing the same styles our parents used to wear anymore, we’ve taken that style and made it our own.
Q Any styles that are “out?”
A We’re not seeing any particular style as “out” at the moment, in fact, the more styles you sport, the better. This year it’s about making sure you aren’t caught every day in the same pair of glasses . ... Add a fun metal or light, stonewashed tortoise to mix up your wardrobe. Embrace colour with blue, green, purple and blush glasses, and don’t be afraid to stand out and try new shapes, styles and materials — you’d be surprised at what suits you!
Q What about frame material trends?
A When it comes to materials we’re seeing thin metals and a lot of combination frames. Metal brow bars, temples and sculpted decorative pieces add sophistication and dimension. Our new Kam Dhillon collection features pyramidical chain temples and fierce claw accents. Combination frames make the number of styles available to us limitless. One of our favourite combinations in material is rose gold metals with a white tortoise acetate.
Q Any colours we can expect to see on everyone at the office?
A Warm honey and caramel tones are emerging as a popular choice for both men and women. Purple is also a key colour for 2018, with ultraviolet being the Pantone Colour of the Year. Violet hues with blue undertones are youthful and wearable. Q Lastly, we can’t talk glasses and skip the sun. What are the trends in sunglasses? I’m hearing it’s all about the round shades … A The relevance of round sunglasses is still continuing and is definitely the trend we’re seeing everywhere. In past seasons, it was considered a statement item. Now, it is an essential part of any eyewear collection.