Noughties shield sunglasses are having a moment in the sun thanks to Gigi Hadid, who has been doing stroller chic with a pair of functional Prada specs that are more akin to ski goggles than shades. Bella and Rihanna both packed curved acetate Chanel frames on their recent tropical trips, and the ultimate aerodynamic sunglasses icon, Princess Anne, always has a pair to hand. UV glare has never spoilt a royal walkabout thanks to her Adidas eyewear.
With this broad appeal in mind, it’s not surprising that rising brands are developing their own hot takes on normcore sunnies. Marine Serre has teamed up with directional eyewear label Gentle Monster to create two sets of frames that will have fans like Beyoncé and Adele reconsidering the sports dad accessory. “Gentle Monster’s innovative savoir-faire and the team’s ability to develop unique shapes of glasses organically matched our futuristic vision and hybrid approach,” Serre tells British Vogue of the union, which has been a long time in the works.
The designer, who is famously particular about her partnerships, loves the Matrix style, a sleek design inspired by the thick frames used for extreme outdoor sports, such as snowboarding. But those looking for true Instagram potential will love the goggles, which were created using cycling eyewear as a blueprint. Styled with Marine Serre’s signature geometric prints in the campaign, these performance specs, which retail from £175, are a technical fashionista’s dream.
There are two main factors to consider when conjuring up a pair of killer sunglasses, explains Serre, who praises the specialised skills of Gentle Monster’s team. “The first is that you can look at the sun and the lenses really protect you,” she notes of putting the product’s resilience at the forefront of the development process. “And the second is that they give you a special attitude and elegance, creating a layer in between you and the others. Sunglasses are like a garment that protects you and tells a story.” When you put it like that, no wonder royals and models are so rarely seen without their face armour.
Editor
Alice NewboldCredit
Lead image: courtesy of Gentle Monster