The care-free, facile mastery of the ’90s will forever remain an aesthetic we crave. Standing in stark contrast to the excessive ’80s glamour that came before it this minimalism was defined by its restraint in design, focusing on simple well-cut androgynous clothing with a reduced colour palette. The garments, a collection of elevated essentials was designed to be the unfussy uniform of the new breed of working women, whose only guilty pleasures were sunglasses and jewellery. The age of the supermodel, the age of refined simple style with a passion for oversized shoulders, suits, sleek slip dresses and bold sunglasses as key details to each and every look. Especially in that moment between the late ’90s and the early 2000s – that was a turning point. From the skinny rectangular shapes, colorful lenses and cat’s-eye glasses we went back to the rectangular shapes: the minimalistic squared ones, as well as the Jackie O big shades of the ’70s –the bigger the better. In what seems to be a moment of true nostalgia, these styles still hold up in 2020 with some new takes, of course. Frames are cut in a very sculptural way and the colour range spans from black to brighter tones, and cream, white, lime and orange (again two prominent colous of the late 1990s). This new course of fashion has been well referenced on the catwalks of Bottega Veneta, Prada and Loewe. It seems the soulful simplicity and unassuming sex appeal of ’90s minimalism has been reinterpreted through a modern lens to serve as the perfect antedote to the maximalism of past seasons. Sunglasses have a strong place in the game. they are the way to enrich your understated look with flair. Some will serve as an alternative to make-up, some will pair with your mask if you choose to go for full, bright frames. A frame as your personal touch, that little extravagance, much needed, much cherished.
LATE ’90S FEVER
Author: Giorgia Cantarini
Trends
October 08, 2020
DONNA KARAN
Style DAVID C 2-3
An all-metal semi-rimless sunglass with a sporty vibe. Slim, delicate temples and an exaggerated brow bar elevate the typical refined look of a cult brand from the ’90s.
www.marchon.com
DIOR
Style 30 Montaigne col BLUE
The 30Montaigne sunglasses boast a bold style characterized by an oversized square shape with a lightweight feel.. The black acetate frame is adorned with the 'CD' signature in gold-finish metal, echoing the emblematic clasp of the 30Montaigne handbag. A statement frame for a style that is definitively Dior.
www.thelios.com
BARTON PEREIRA x FEAR OF GOD
Style FGBP.2020
Inspired by the Barton Perreira optical glasses that Jerry Lorenzo - luxury menswear designer and founder of Fear of God - wears in his everyday design process, FGBP.2020 is a classic rectangular acetate frame that comes to life in five different colorways using Lorenzo’s signature natural earth tone hues, with light gradient wash lenses and available in two eye sizes.
www.marcolin.com
ZEROUNDICI EYEWEAR
Style SAN SALAVARIO MATT GREY
The collection is inspired by the neighbourhoods of Turin. San Salvario is an historic neighborhood, now a cult spot and centre of nightlife. Square and decisive lines for an avant-garde rectangular shape, with a special trademark on the brow bar: you can find the coordinates of the Turin showroom, laser engraved on each style.
www.zeroundicieyewear.com
BURBERRY
Style BE 4312 3001_87
The square shape accentuates the face shape, making it the perfect style element for self-confident personalities. The BE4312 is a very snug fit on the ears and nose, a big B is laser cut on both sides serving as hinges and maxi logo detai. All black-on-black for a timeless frame.
www.luxottica.com
ZEUS+DIONE
Style DIONE II
This frame is a semi-square one with a slightly butterfly effect. A timeless design highlighted by the Greek craftsmanship, Zeus + Dione is proud to decorate its frames with ZEISS lenses for objects that are entirely hand-made. The distinctive aesthetics, along with the bold lines provide uniqueness, luxury and timeless simplicity.
www.zeusndione.com
CHRISTIAN ROTH
Style CRS019-58-03
A unique twist on a traditional square shape, the CRS019 have a grunge look and feel. Pitch black acetate frame with slightly pointed edges on the top and dark grey lens, logo engraved on the temples. Rocking your look from Japan to the world.
www.dita.com/christian-roth
KOMONO
Style Dylan (KOM-S7853)
Ready for impact? Here's Dylan (maybe a reference to Beverly Hills90210)a ’90s inspired ultra orange frame that knows how to please the audience with its oversized temples and rectangular smoky lenses.
www.komono.com
BLUMARINE
Style SBM767V_9AJ
Oversized, square-shaped acetate sunglasses. Turtle frame and transparent temples with Blumarine maxi logo embossed with a Crystal Fabric glitter treatment. The look of the diva is not complete without a scenographic pair of sunnies. A timeless classic.
www.derigo.com
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Style LIGHT SKULL col DARK BROWN
The iconic Skull Sunglasses are re-interpreted with a modern design, leveraging on a light metal framework and a new colour palette of shiny metals. The eyewear features unique designs and embellishment created with the utmost attention to detail. Finished with the signature skull, the sunglasses are characterised by the oversized square lenses for an elegant look.
www.keringeyewear.com
