Big sunglasses keep trendsetting appeal
Oversized sunglasses will not go old just yet. Sunglasses that cover up a good half of a person’s face still pop up in trendsetting, fashion-sensitive dramas like “Gossip Girl” and paparazzi shots of Hollywood celebrities. So it comes as no surprise the new lines of summer sunglasses presented by luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Armani remain big, bold and totally oversized.
In Korea, the nine members of the pop group Girls’ Generation all featured oversized sunglasses on their album jacket photographs. Their latest single “Gee,” topped the music charts within days of its release.
Korean sunglasses brands argue that Korea was the first to fall in love with these oversized sunglasses. Eyewear brands Safilo and Luxottica say their Korean offices introduced these unusually big eyewear items for the local market in 2004.
“It became an instant hit among Korean consumers. That this oversized eyewear makes faces look relatively smaller appealed greatly to the Koreans,” said Kim Min-seong of Safilo Korea.
According to Kim, their Italian branch introduced the design the following year and then offices in other parts of the world in subsequent years.
“Last year, almost all brands produced oversized sunglasses,” Kim said.
While it looks like people will continue to cover up half of their faces with these sunglasses, there will be changes in details, industry sources say.
Last year, Ray-Ban’s aviator style with silver and gold frames became the it-style among fashionistas.
But sources say more colorful frames will decorate the shelves and streets this season. Ray-Ban’s Colorize Wayfarers the members of Girls’ Generation featured in their album jacket is one example. Also horn rims are likely to be more popular than silver or gold rims, they say.
By Kang Seung-min [hkim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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