It’s often said that eyes are the windows to the soul—so we believe in treating your eyewear as a frame for a masterpiece! Looking for some inspiration to help you find your own signature pair? We’ve asked some of the most stylish design industry insiders we know to tell us about the glasses (sun or otherwise) they reach for again and again—and the story behind them. Whether you’re into something bold and graphic or searching for a classic aviator in a sweet shade, these picks are an effortless way to jazz up any outfit.
Karim Rashid
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Randy Krisp -
“In 1991, I took my now-wife on a first date to see a film called Until the End of the World, which is still one of my favorites. In the film, a blind woman wears a pair of large glasses that I wished I had. Eight years later, I was working with Alain Mikli, and he demanded I wear a pair of his glasses, so I asked him about the frames from the movie, which he had designed. He still had a few pairs covered in dust in his factory that he gave me. I’ve worn those—as well as my own titanium design for Sceye in Sweden—exclusively ever since. They are, for me, a symbol of my belief in the future. Style is not just what you wear; it is how you live, how you think, how you exist, to be.” – Karim Rashid, designer and architect
GET THE LOOK: Cyprien GLASSES by Alain Mikli, $433, SPECSCOLLECTIVE.COM
Gail Davis
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Lisa Russman -
“I enjoy my eyewear; it has become a part of my vernacular when getting dressed. It started with one pair, and before I knew it, I was all in! I found my favorite sunnies through my eyewear vendor, Utenzi Miller, who is known as the ‘eyeglass whisperer.’ As soon as she saw them, she knew I would love their rectangular shape and bold color. There are so many tints one can choose from instead of the standard black, so they’re very versatile. I also appreciate that you can specify the gradation of the lens. Everyone should have a pair of eyewear that makes them feel special.” – Gail Davis, interior designer
Amour GLASSSES by UTENZI MILLER, $240, UTENZIMILLER.COM
Jane Scott Hodges
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Courtesy of Jane Scott Hodges -
“My mother always wore ‘rose-colored lenses’ in her 50’s, and now I get it—the world is more beautiful when seen through pink! After a friend showed me her own rose-colored glasses a couple of years ago, I went to Art & Eyes in New Orleans and asked my friend Paul about getting pink progressives with my prescription. He exclaimed, ‘I have just the thing!’ and pulled a pair of vintage aviators from the front case. He selected the shade and had them made!” – Jane Scott Hodges, founder of Leontine Linens
GET THE LOOK: Chevalier SUNGLASSES by barton perreira, $465, saksfifthavenue.com
Sarah Corbett-Winder
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Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder -
“I am a huge sunglasses fan—I always have a pair in my bag. I love a pair that are slightly unusual and not your norm, so these Lexxola ones are the dream. They have a slight aviator feel, and I love the boldness and confidence of the black frame. I have yet to find an outfit that they don’t work with. The tinted lenses make me feel hip—which I am sure we all want to be!” – Sarah Corbett-Winder, design consultant and art director
Lulu sunglasses by lexxola, $320, LEXXOLA.COM
Corey Damen Jenkins
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Andrew Frasz -
“I rarely go to Times Square, but one day, I had a client meeting there and happened upon these glasses on display at a store. I instantly fell in love with the frames’ oversized scale. Since I was celebrating a ‘milestone’ birthday, I decided to splurge a bit and have worn them religiously ever since!” – Corey Damen Jenkins, interior designer
GET THE LOOK: Gold Round glasses by Loewe, $370, SSENSE.COM
Denise McGaha
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Kris Ellis Photography -
“I love Tom Ford eyewear of any sort and have worn them for years. He designs larger frames that fit my face. Lately I’ve been wearing his Raphaela sunglasses, which look fresh without feeling bulky. For my regular glasses, I like aviators by Robert Marc NYC ” – Denise McGaha, Interior Designer
Raphaela Sunglasses by tom ford, $580, bergdorfgoodman.com
Mieke ten Have
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Courtesy of Mieke ten Have -
“I don’t have one pair of sunglasses I always wear, but rather always variations on a theme—slightly oversize, with a hint of cat eye about them. I have a round face, and try as I might to look more like a beatnik, it just won’t work! One of the pairs I’m loving right now is by Oliver Peoples.” – Mieke ten Have, design consultant, author, and editor
Dore sunglasses by oliver peoples, $380, OLIVERPEOPLES.COM
