Specsavers Design Collective

I didn't offer myself nearly enough time to explore the exhibition at Graduate Fashion Week, having spent much of my single afternoon shooting the runway or chilling in the media lounge. In between, however, I found myself ogling the Specsavers stand and its upcoming Design Collective, a brand new and imaginative eyewear range from four budding designers.

Launching nationwide on 8th July 2019, the collection is the result of Specsavers' inaugural competition with fashion label Red or Dead, and features unique frames designed by the winning graduates - Joshua Teodoro of Loughborough University, Emily Hill of the University of Arts London, Lydia Blackshaw of The Glasgow School of Art, and Tiffany Bachelet of the University of Dundee.

As a glasses wearer myself, I couldn't resist trying on all the frames, but there were two especially that I'd love to purchase for myself next month. The first are Teodoro's signature sunglasses, comprising a technical aesthetic inspired by space travel. Where the white colourway with an accent of red on the temples is intended to reflect the colours of a spacesuit, my first thought was the Tantive IV from Star Wars, if that doesn't sound too geeky. The second are Blackshaw's transparent frames, which likewise appear futuristic, albeit the kind you might find Tony Stark wearing with a sharp Tom Ford suit. That is, if he hadn't snapped his fingers.

The Specsavers Design Collective will be available to purchase in-store from Monday 8th July

Vintage Pink

It should come as no surprise I have a penchant for pink. The precise moment it became my new favourite colour eludes me, although at some point last summer, I had definitely decided it would be a fabulous idea to purchase a pale pink suit, then take photographs of said suit in an über-trendy, pink basement bar.

So when I stumbled upon a pair of opal pink Ray-Ban sunglasses on EyeWearThese, it made perfect sense that they should complete my flamingo-inspired ensemble. Although the online eyewear retailer had plenty of other popular brands and designs to choose from (especially since I fancied a very different style to my existing Ray-Ban Clubmasters), there had been little doubt my passion for pink would be upstaged by anything else.

I was made doubly happy knowing EyeWearThese also provided prescription lenses, which, given the company's history as working opticians, I had hoped would be the case. Nonetheless, it's too often a shame I come across a pair of super-snazzy sunglasses, only to then learn the brand or retailer in question doesn't offer the option of a prescription. I think we can all agree it's much more pleasant to see the world in HD quality. In the case of my new sunglasses, the world also comes with a rose-tinted filter.

Soon after my sunglasses arrived, I was eager to take my pink outfit for a spin. When Lizzie kindly invited me to Goodwood Revival earlier this month (where guests are encouraged to dress in vintage attire), I knew I had all the necessary pieces for a 70s-inspired ensemble - pink River Island suit, pink sunglasses, and a blue floral shirt from Hawes & Curtis. Yet nothing prepared me for the excitement of discovering the All Things Hair pop-up salon would match my outfit flawlessly. Please don't mind me, ladies, while I set up my self-timer and perch nonchalantly beneath this hair-dryer. It was style blogger serendipity.

 
Ray-Ban sunglasses courtesy of EyeWearThese.com, however all views are my own

Acuitis Eyewear

Graced with imperfect vision, glasses are a fundamental part of my individual style. Earlier this month, I was invited to explore the first UK flagship store for French eyewear label Acuitis, an impressive, glass-fronted shop unit less than 150m north of Tottenham Court Road underground station. Having arrived early for the breakfast preview, I was personally guided through the new store, the company's history and its collections by the brand's Creative Director, Frédéric Beausoleil.

Trained as an optician with a love for sculpture, Frédéric has been designing eyewear for thirty years. Many of his frames for Acuitis are handmade from cotton-based celluose acetate, although alternative materials include sustainably sourced bamboo, tortoiseshell and buffalo horn, the very kind with which Frédéric crafted eyewear as an apprentice. Further to these, there are designs that pay homage to prominent historical and present-day figures, such as Ray Charles, Maurice Herzog and the Dalai Lama. Add those to an entire wall of sunglasses, the Acuitis collection is both extensive and versatile, with designs to suit all faces.

The greatest pleasure of the morning, however, was to then be handpicked a pair of glasses by Frédéric himself, as seen in the above photograph. A complement to my darker ensembles, they feature similarly rounded lenses as my Silhouette frames (evidently an agreeable shape for my facial structure), yet it was apparent these glasses had been designed to be a statement accessory as much as an instrument for better eyesight.

Osiris launch party at The Gherkin

180m above The City of London, Henry Holland was a DJ. I had the privilege of dancing to his playlist at the launch party of Osiris eyewear's Jørgen Simonsen collection, which was held at the very top of 30 St Mary Axe, fondly known as "The Gherkin".

The 360° views of the capital were spectacular, especially during sundown. It seemed a fitting location to introduce a new collection of glasses, as without my own, I would not have been able to appreciate the amazing architecture of the building, or the breathtaking panorama that surrounded me.

The glasses themselves, styled by haute couture designer Jørgen Simonsen, were much to be admired for their modern and vibrant designs. The frames come in a wide selection of colours, plus such design features as translucence, smoky effects, layered acetates and more. They are respectfully statement eyewear, and I am immensely looking forward to choosing a pair for myself very soon. My only hope is Specsavers can present them to me with a big box of jelly beans, just like at the party.