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Throughout the ranges, cat's eye, Jackie O and butterfly shapes dominated for women, while classic aviator and Wayfarer geometries from the 70s and 80s dominated the unisex ranges. Alongside the evolving eye shapes were worked side pieces and some bolder colours. Sides gained shape and decoration while the ubiquitous blacks and browns were joined by dashes of brighter hues.
Juicy Couture is one of the freshest brands of the moment and joins the Safilo brand line-up in Europe for the first time this autumn. Juicy was creating a buzz among the consumer press at the launch something Safilo hopes will be replicated in the high street. This pink and flirty brand has a following among younger women and teenagers and a range of classic-yet-candy styles in metal and plastic populate the collection. The little dogs and crown logo is used throughout the collection along with broken hearts and lots of pink.
In a more macho vein, Carrera continued to call on its racing heritage with teardrop aviator shapes in metal and plastic in a range of oversizes and colours. Urban tastes are sated with the chunky Wayfarer-esque Andy, again in bold colours and large sizes. The same 80s style feeds through to the optical ranges. The smaller optical pieces use colour and shaping on the sides to make their mark. The collection also adds a children's range in similar styles.
Butterfly effect
Taking shape a step further is Alexander McQueen. This collection employs large butterflies and the use of a twisted effect in the side piece in models such as 4149. The QC logo is widely used and colours range from black to organic greens and browns, adding to the colour effect are heavily graduated lenses.
Balenciaga also opts for complex material working across both optical and sunglass ranges. BAL0069/S uses interwoven wire sides while BAL0059 sports a wavy acetate side with a 70s feel. Detailing at the temple on this model is a delight while its translucent acetates exude style. The double B logo is widely used as are contours and shields for the side pieces.
Hugo Hugo Boss was firmly in the 1970s with a myriad of twists on a Clubmaster style which mix materials with broad titanium sides and acetate options. White joins black as does gold detailing below the lens and across the bridge in 0063/S. Gold also features in 0061/S a shield sunglass clipped on to a slender gold frame.
Boss Hugo Boss takes a sophisticated line for Boss Black again harking back to the 1980s with a special edition entitled 20 years of pleasure (0279/S). A neat device in both sunglass and optical ranges is a stepped side piece. Other highlights include a brightly coloured and boxed eyeshape for 0280/S.
Bottega Vaneta introduces some pink detailing into its collection which complements its browns, blacks and leather sides. Wire detailing and texture are also a features of the range.
Jimmy Choo uses an eclectic mix of strong shapes and personalisation throughout its sunglass collection. Roxanne uses geometric lines and a snakeskin print to impress while Nico opts for star-shape cut-outs from the lens in what the marque describes as a punk-chic shield. Mini JJ employs an impressive knotted acetate rope effect at the hinge. Colours are organic and prints snakeskin, to provide a primeval feel.
A modern twist on 70s and 80s style is provided by Diesel epitomised in model DS0183. This campaign piece uses an oversize butterfly shape. The translucent acetate of the eyepiece is shot through with pink and clear lines providing a sense of modernity.
Boxy shapes and bright colours are the theme throughout 55DSL exemplified in Giulietta. Brave use of orange and purple in a square eye stands out alongside the green of the Alfa Aviator. The 55DSL marque also celebrates 15 years with a limited edition black and white model.
Dressed for success
Safilo says it is increasingly important for opticians to buy into the whole brand ethos when retailing and Dior Homme leaves no one in doubt of its casino-sophistication with models such as Black Tie 100.
Dior takes style back a few decades more with vintage style from the 50s in Dior Cinquante a 'guilloche' sculpted and lacquered metal frame which sits atop a large lens. Side piece tips and decals add to the luxury feel. Elsewhere Dior offers candy-striped translucent acetate and large quadratics and white sides in Dior Line.
Emporio Armani echoes its heritage through design cues and detailing such as mimicry of handbag clasps. Checkerboards are a theme in this collection, adorning frames with inspiration from the 1960s and onward.
One highlight of the collections is Giorgio Armani model G0740. This Hollywood glamour piece wows in black and white. Its classic and delicate ovals contrast with the heavier and larger pieces. Despite this, colour remains a feature of the collection, ranging from solid yellow through animal prints and plum hues.
Developments for Gucci have not just been on the frames but also on the internet. A new social networking site, www.guccieyewear.com, is designed to attract younger wearers to this sophisticated and exclusive brand. Frame styles for next spring follow the 80s themes, with the timeless marina chain, horsebit and GG-Britt decals signalling its heritage.
Gucci uses its signature motifs as cues and this is followed by Max Mara sunglasses with its M at the temples. It takes large soft squares and ovals all with graduated lenses to complete the effect. Max & co takes the trend of wavy lines for the side pieces as seen elsewhere, such as Balenciaga, for inspiration.
Texture and jewels help Valentino with its inspiration. Lace on the side pieces and jewels (VAL 5675) feature through the opticals while the larger sunglass models opt for strass.
Clean lines and an almost monochromatic approach has been taken by Yves Saint Laurent across optical and sunwear. The YSL logo abounds while side pieces use a connecting decal plate to give a constructed feel which makes the collection stand out.
Marc Jacobs takes a step at the temple, MJ307/S, and along the sides, MJ290, along with a step into punk styling for 2010. Metal clips and studs are used across more 70s shapes while a special edition, bejewelled model MJ292 also makes an appearance.
Marc by Marc Jacobs offers some bold geometric and marbled optical styles but goes colour crazy in its sunglass offering with models such as the purples and lens cut-outs on MMJ 134/S.
Safilo's house brands were also turning heads with some impressive frames taking the 70s and 80s theme. The collections have something for everyone with ranges like Safilo Glamour putting vintage in the reach of lower budgets.
Smith provided some super-wacky colour for surf dudes looking for extreme styling on the street with massive, angular Wayfarer shapes in primary colours. ?