Sexy sunnies, Sunglasses not just for summer

Conspicuous logos and white frames a la Victoria Beckham are on the way out, but over-sized sunnies, aviators and mirror glasses are hot, hot, hot.

Any self-respecting fashionista can tell you sunglasses are about more than protecting your eyes against the sun.

Your sunnies can hide tired or red eyes while adding glamour, mystery, elegance and impact to any outfit.

And as Bono has shown, nothing screams “rock-star” more than a cool pair of sunglasses worn indoors, at night or when there isn’t a ray of sun around.

Here are a few upcoming trends in these perennial fashion faves.

BIG AND ROUND

Over-sized sunglasses are still very in, according to Dawn Klimaszewski, marketing director for Maui Jim sunglasses. “In fashion, the big thing is the big frames. But it’s evolving. More rounded, smaller.”

LOGOS ON THE OUT

Longtime luxury brand lovers are looking for a way to differentiate themselves from their flashier counterparts with understated elegance.

FLYING HIGH

Aviators are still big for men and women, says Melanie Martin, spokeswoman for the New York-based Sunglass Association of America.

Klimaszewski adds: “Oversized is fashion, but aviators are hot everywhere else.”

CLASSICS

Vintage-inspired remains hot, Martin says.

“Some of those vintage glasses used to have a flat lens. But new lenses can have a full wrap with details inspired by Jackie O, but wrapped a little more around your face, which gives you more protection.”

HAUTE HUES

Shiny black is No 1. From the vintage trend, tortoise shell remains popular and champagne shades are gaining fast.

White sunglasses are fading, while navy continues to be strong. Fluorescents are said to be on the ascent, including those from names like Dior.

SPARKLE

Jewellery lines like Tiffany and Bulgari are huge right now, says Barry Kay of Hollywood Eyes.

“They copy their jewellery designs on the sides of the frames. They sell well because of the uniqueness.”

These glasses can get pricey, though.

A limited-edition design from Fendi, loaded with hand-placed Swarovski crystals, goes for around $US1,000.

MIRROR, MIRROR

What goes best with your metallic dress or your foil-effect T-shirt?

Mirror-like materials are beginning to shine, especially with high-tech metals and colourful plastics from the likes of Jimmy Choo and Dior.

Hawaiian brand Maui Jim sashays into Europe

US. Maui Jim Sunglasses, the Hawaiian supplier of sports, fashion and classic sunglasses, has unveiled new frames featuring patented multi-layered PolarizedPlus2 lens construction, said to give unrivalled protection from UV and glare and excellent colour definition.

Kula, a stylish wraparound shield, has a single lightweight polycarbonate lens which has been coated to protect the eyes from direct, reflected and bounce-back glare. Broad temple design with strong silver alloy hinges and wide legs with a subtle stripe present a smart contemporary look. The rimless style has a robust and lightweight design.

Kula (style 514) is available in black with grey lenses, metallic copper with HCL bronze, or Sandstone with Maui Rose lenses. Fashionable white is one of the frame colourways on offer with the new Kaimana and Lehua sunglasses.

Kaimana (style 204) is a mid-size rectangular frame with SuperThin ST lenses which is available in black with grey, and green or brown with HCL bronze and well as white with Maui Rose lenses.

Lehua (style 203) is a rounded frame with wide temples for a fashionable look. Besides white, this frame comes in brown with HCL Bronze and black with grey ST lenses.

On display at the TFWA Asia Pacific show in May were the new Kapena (207) and Harbor (206) aviator shapes, both made from Monel metal for durability and adjustability with non-slip nose-pads and spring hinges.

The styles are available in gunmetal black frame with neutral grey lens or matte bronze with HCL bronze lens. Kapena has an unusual two-tone temple design and Harbor has a mottled pattern on one side of the temple and a solid colour on the opposite side.

The sophisticated new Peahi (202) style in lightweight, hypoallergenic nylon (cellulose propionate) also boasts SuperThin lenses and rectangular frame and clean masculine lines. It is offered in black with neutral grey lens or tortoiseshell effect with HCL bronze lens.

Left: The Kula wraparound shield style in copper and bronze. Right: The Kapena aviator shape with two-tone temple design

Progress in European and Americas travel retail

Following the 2008 IAADFS show in the Americas, Maui Jim has achieved new listings with independent retailers in Texas, St Kitts, Guyana and Uruguay.

The company has also entered an agreement with Gebr Heinemann starting with Mauritius Duty Free Paradise Co and expanding later to travel retail outlets in Europe.

At Aelia outlets in France, sales of Maui Jim Sunglasses in the first quarter were more than double last year's figure.

Meanwhile, at World Duty Free in the UK, the Maui Jim Sport collection has seen sales up +30% but the latest fashion models, including Palms and Bamboo, are also performing well, according to the company.

Kappé International introduced the Maui Readers bifocal reading sunglasses at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the response has been excellent, said the supplier.

After just three months of listings at Moscow Domodedovo Airport with Aer Rianta International, the brand was ranked the third most popular sunglasses label and listings in Kiev and Sheremetyevo Airports have followed.

Speaking of the brand's success in Europe, Maui Jim Sales Manager Duty Free Europe and Middle East Martine Larroque said: "We have launched a string of great new styles recently from retro-glamour girl frames to slick masculine lines and all with our unique patented PolarizedPlus anti-glare technology. Now the brand is really taking off in fashion-conscious Europe."

Picking The Wrong Pair Of Sunglasses Can Do More Harm Than Good

The summer sun can make for a lot of fun, but meteorologists and eye doctors agree - choosing the wrong pair of sunglasses can be hazardous to your health.

The sun can represent warmth, light and a chance for a tan, but it's no secret the bright star also poses potential dangers.

"Ultra-violet rays, people usually associate with getting a sunburn and skin cancer, but they can also damage your eyes, damage your cornea so that's the primary threat,"

That's where sunglasses come in. But if you pick the wrong pair, they can do more harm than good.


"Your pupils dilate to let in more light, and it's the same thing when you wear sunglasses. Your pupils dilate, they get bigger to let in more light, and if you don't have UV protection, ultra-violet protection on your sunglasses, you'll actually let more dangerous light into your eyes," Hall said.

Optometrists say smaller-sized sunglasses are not as protective against the sun’s rays because beams can still leak in through the top and bottom.

David Huntzberry, the owner and an optician at Longmeadow Eyecare said, "It can be uncomfortable as well as a little bit dangerous because you are allowing light in from the sides. It's not so much direct light but indirect light."

Huntzberry says polarized sunglasses are also easier on the eyes.

He added, "Glare being bright, unwanted, harsh, brilliant, reflective light. With that filter in the lens, it filters out reflective light and just allows more direct light in."

Meteorologist Ian Hall says UVA rays are commonly associated with wrinkles and aging, while UVB rays are known to cause sunburn and skin cancer.

Sunglasses warning from opticians

Opticians have warned that some fashion sunglasses provide no protection against the harmful effects of the sunlight.

The number of people suffering from sun-related damage to their eyes is increasing, according to the Association of Optometrists (AOI).

The AOI has stressed that the sun can cause irreversible, long-term damage to the eye and the highest risk groups, children and the elderly, wear little or no protective eyewear in the sun.

It also says many fashion sunglasses with fashion tints offer no protection against sunlight, and proper sunglasses delay ageing of the eyes by 20% and decrease the risk of getting cataracts by 40%.

The AOI is warning people about the importance of protecting their eyes in the sun.

"Following evidence of increasing numbers of people presenting with sun-related damage to their eyes, the AOI advises that wearing proper sunglasses helps to prevent such damage and to protect the eyes."

Optometrist Lynda McGivney Nolan said the human eye is as sensitive to the sun as skin is, yet, when Irish people are out in the sun, many neglect to pay attention to the quality of sunglasses they are wearing.

"Just as the sun causes serious damage to the skin, so can the harmful rays from sunlight cause irreversible, long-term damage to the eye, including skin cancer on the lids, corneal burns, damage to the eye tissue, cataracts and macular degeneration."

The AOI recommends that good sunglasses offering the maximum protection should:

*Eliminate UV, A,B and C radiation, and all radiation up to 400nm.

*Protect the eye from blue light which does the most damage to the back of the eye.

*Allow normal colour perception and optimise clarity of vision.

*Have wide-sided or wraparound styling to protect the eye from sunlight from the side.

*Use the correct degree of protection appropriate to the light conditions and the activity being performed.

The AOI says many fashion sunglasses with fashion tints such as blue or pink offer poor vision quality and no protection against sunlight.

Ms McGivney Nolan said your local optometrist (optician) is best placed to advise you on the best type of protective sunglasses for your needs.