NOW YOU SEE ME
Bazaar tracks the new wave of brands making an impact in the world of eyewear
There was a time, not so long ago, when oversized sunnies were the order of the day. Frames large enough to hide your face, with prominent logos peeking from the temples, were the easiest way to make a fashion statement. But those days are now gone. A walk down Delhi’s fashionable Khan Market area is enough to affirm that there is a whole new poesy of eyewear designers making their presence felt. Take French label Thierry Lasry for example. Launched in 2006, the brand assembles each of its neo-vintage pieces entirely by hand. Logoless, and with creativity and quality as its hallmarks, the brand has a cult following amongst Hollywood A-listers, and is now sitting pretty in shops across India as well. Thierry is only one of the many new eyewear brands to have hit our shores. Endless shelves of striking sunglasses now include names like Milanese label Super by Retro Super Future which works old-school styles; the German Mykita boasts futuristic frames; the New York-based Illesteva’s specialises in retro looks; and Londoner Linda Farrow crafts beautiful, luxe lunettes. “People no longer care about buying the usual brands. Now, the more unique the label the better,” says Navneet Kalra, owner of one of the city’s more popular optical stores, Dayal Opticals. “Our buyers are more aware of international trends and are making individualistic choices.” With so many options to choose from and room for experimentation, we can safely proclaim that sunglasses might just be our new fashion obsession.