12.44 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Stylish shades see all eyes on Ford

(SUPPLIED)

Published
By Reena Amos Dyes
With the sun blazing down in all its fiery glory, it's impossible to step out without sunglasses perched firmly on your nose.

However, in addition to their practical use, sunglasses have over the years become fashion statements with celebrities hiding behind oversized designer shades. Who is to say us lesser mortals can't do the same?

So if it's a snazzy pair of designer shades you are looking for then head straight for the nearest Solaris boutique and check out the latest collection by Tom Ford.

World-renowned designer Ford has been credited with turning fashion house Gucci around when it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

He was hired by Gucci's then-creative director, Dawn Mello, as chief women's prêt-à-porter designer in 1990 and was later appointed design director. In 1994, Ford was promoted to the post of creative director and moved to Milan.

In his first year at the helm he put the glamour back into fashion by introducing Halston-style velvet hipsters, skinny satin shirts and car-finish metallic patent boots.

In 1995 he brought in French stylist Carine Roitfeld and photographer Mario Testino to create a series of new, modern ad campaigns for the company. By 1999 the house, which had been almost bankrupt when Ford joined, was valued at $4.3 billion (Dh15.8bn).

When Gucci acquired Yves Saint-Laurent, Ford was named the creative director of that label as well. During his time at YSL he won numerous Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards. Like his work at Gucci, Ford was able to catapult the classic fashion house back into the mainstream. However in April 2004 he parted company with Gucci and opened his own fashion house, Tom Ford.

His eyewear line was the first part of his collection to really take off and it has acquired a huge following among Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan, Madonna, Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Aniston and Sally Field.

Katia Andrejev, Solaris's Brand Manager for the Middle East, said: "Tom Ford's collection has one of the largest followings among celebrities of any brand."

The designer is rarely seen without a pair. Explaining his long-drawn love affair with glasses, Ford said: "I did eyewear for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. I wear eyewear constantly. As a man, I love eyewear because there are very few accessories a man can really wear. I am fairly classical guy but I don't want to look like a banker. So eyewear is something that gives you an instant look."

As arguably the most influential eyewear in today's market, Ford's sunglasses are a must-have accessory – not just for movie stars but also for those who want to project a sense of style.

Andrejev said: "The sunglasses really do belong in a league of their own and have inspired many other collections from other designers. Demand is higher than production so finding the pair you like in the market is not at all easy."

Tom Ford offers oversized yet nearly weightless frames for men and women with the logo discreetly engraved on the golden plate at the temples.

The pick of the lot for women is the Whitney model with cut-out lenses along with a subtle signature on the lens. For men the stand-out design in the 2008 collection is a Dh1,800 pair called Keith.

Andrejev said: "Keith is a classic aviator metal style with metal bar set into the upper front, creating a pebbled double bridge.

"The style has a semi-shining or matt frame depending on the colour with striped horn temples and Roviex lenses.

"Even though the materials used in making Tom Ford sunglasses are quite common – acetate, nylon and metal for the frames and polycarbonate lenses – what makes these shades so light is the design.

"The arms and bridge of the Keith style are ultra-thin – there is nothing extra or too much, just a perfect silhouette.

"There is another beautiful style for men in the 2008 collection called Warren, priced at Dh1,600. It is a wrap and square acetate style with metal T temple decoration.

"It should be in the stores in the UAE in May."

The 2008 collection already counts actresses Brooke Shields, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba among its fans.

"With lots of dark tints, smoky effects and lacquers, the collection has a great deal of panache," added Andrejev. "I am sure the collection is going to be very well-received in Dubai as Tom Ford is one of the most uber-trendy designers in the world."