Happy Birthday 7/11! Spectacle Loves You

Today, July 11th, is 7/11's birthday!  In celebration, they are giving away free Slurpees and our Queen St. shop stopped by to pick some up.

The Slurpees at the shop

Happy Birthday 7/11!

Slurpees and sunglasses, the best Summer combination

Don't forget to get your own free Slurpee and come by Spectacle while you're at it!

Spectacle Summer Trends 2012: Vintage & Classics With a Twist

Trends come and go; they say hello and they say goodbye but nobody likes goodbyes so how about a trend that stays and remains timeless? Spectacle’s summer trends are focused on vintage and classic frames that have a little “umph” in them to maintain that  classic yet edgy and modern look.

Oliver Peoples Sheldrake

The Oliver Peoples Sheldrake frame is a classic-modern twist on a vintage round frame, which in fact, was inspired by Andy Warhol. The transparent champagne acetate colour, paired with a vintage rose tint lens is the perfect summer mix that goes well with a nice summer tan. Many shy away from round frames but please don’t— a rounded or more oval shaped face works well with a round frame as it tends to follow the contours of the face; making it look more natural and soft. A face blessed with strong features and jaw lines also benefit from a round frame as it contrasts well, giving off a more soft and edgy look with a bit of a statement.

Oliver Peoples Mande

The Oliver Peoples Mande frame is a ultra feminine sunglass that was inspired by the 1950’s retro fashion with a style savvy woman in mind. Handcrafted with substantial, rounded acetate and an upswept cat-eye look, this fierce frame is made to turn heads. The new amber tortoise/buff gradient colour is a rockin’ colour combo for the summertime. Plus, anything with an upswept cat-eye gives the illusion of an instant facelift— huge bonus for the ladies!

Thierry Lasry Platony

Thierry Lasry takes a very unique, fresh, avant-garde approach to sunglasses especially in the new Thierry Lasry Platony (V011) vintage frame. It is based off of the concept of “futuristic-vintage” as they utilized vintage designs and colour palettes, while incorporating an updated modern touch with such ease and elegance. These pastel colour blotches are made for summer and are made to brighten any outfit. All handmade in France, Thierry Lasry frames are guaranteed with the best materials and are made to last for many summers to come.

Mosley Tribes Lyndel

Everyone has the staple wayfarer sunglass but how about one with a twist? The Mosley Tribes Lyndel frames bumps it up a notch with a retro-inspired acetate frame, crafted in an angular plastic cut to hit all the contours of the jaw line. The keyhole nose bridge also accentuates the soft contoured lens shape and is best for hugging the nose; giving it a more tailored feel. The Mosley Tribes Lyndel frames are one you can’t go wrong with— it’s an easy wear type of frame that makes the men look more handsome and the females looking edgy. Try them in a forest green matte finish and I promise it’ll go with that summer tan!

Garrett Leight Harding

Have you heard of frames that are vintage mixed with classic mixed with a twist times three? Well, now you have! Garrett Leight’s Harding frames are part aviator, part wayfarer, and part round and are inspired by the playwright, Arthur Miller. This three-way mix has got to be a must-have frame for the summer and one that’ll make any male and female too hot for the heat to handle!

ic! berlin raf s.

You can’t go wrong with the classic aviator! The ic! Berlin raf s. are the perfect summer pair to stand the heat— the spring steel helps to maximize flexibility and strength to hold up to all your summer adventures! Classic aviators are one of the easiest frames to throw on and go about your day whether your dressed up or dressed down. 

 

Garrett Leight Hampton

Oliver Peoples NDG

Another way to stay classic with a twist is adding these amazing, practical clip-on or flip-up sun glass lenses to your own prescription glasses! Here we have the classic round Garrett Leight Hampton frame with a black matte finish clip on; and the classic retro matte black Oliver Peoples NDG (Nom de Guerre collaboration) with the flip-up clip on. Pretty snazzy, eh?

Come check out these and more Summer 2012 shades at Spectacle! 

Written by Christina Cheng, Frame Stylist with Spectacle & Freelance Journalist

Lanvin Spring & Summer Sunglasses Coming to Spectacle

Lanvin is a Couture brand that takes eyewear elegance to a whole new level.  From Paris, the company was started by Jeanne Lanvin and is a high-end line of clothing, shoes, and sunglasses.  Spectacle is excited about the opportunity to launch this luxury brand in Toronto.

SLN512S - Ivory Horn effect with diamond strass application

Lanvin uses only the best materials in creating their elegant pieces including snakeskin, leather, fine metals, and even Swarovski Elements.  Additionally, all frames are hand-made in Italy.

SLN504 - Acetate frame with beautiful detailing

SLN501 - Acetate with shiny Milk Horn effect & green / beige snakeskin insert

Lanvin's eyewear collection is described as being "for men and women who appreciate the sophisticated and timeless elegance of Lanvin's designs and view their eyewear as a discreet, elegant accessory that authenticates their own distinctive personality".

SLN509S - Shiny Opaline Ivory front & shiny pewter hinges

The new, exclusive collection will be available at Spectacle very soon.

Anne et Valentin Factory Ten, Eleven, and Twelve!

The Anne et Valentine Factory Ten, Eleven, and Twelve collections are now available at Spectacle Queen St.  The collection is named after and inspired by Andy Warhol's famed factory in New York City.

Andy Warhol in his Factory in NYC

The eyewear is polished and then cut on the top and along the temples again to give the frames a raw feel in these areas while the rest is smooth.  Original and rich in colour, the collection is created to be easy to wear, even in the case of the shy customer who dares not dare.

Factory Ten 1242

Factory Eleven 1027

Factory Eleven 1116

Factory Twelve 1104

The Factory collection is available now at Spectacle's Queen St. West location!

Go BIG or Go Home with KUBORAUM "Masks"!

Usually, the rule of thumb when seeking glasses is to make sure that you’re the wearer of the frames as apposed to the frames wearing you – but it’s a whole different story with the bold new KUBORAUM “mask-like” eyewear collection.

Part of the current Spectacle Queen St. West window display!

Head designer, Livio Graziottin, said the KUBORAUM collection is made to look like they are “masks that are drawn on the face of the wearer; masks that highlight our personality, our character [yet] made to reshape his/her features." The KUBORAUM mask acetate frames are influenced and designed in Berlin, within the rooms of PASTPRESENT Fashion Studio & Gallery. Its solid geometries also feature modulated square and round Karl Zeiss lenses.

The brand was originally “Dreamed in Berlin, handmade in Italy” which perfectly blends the intricate creativity of Germany and the traditional craftsmanship of Italy.

Mask A1 as Glasses

Regardless of its chunky, oversized, statement look, KUBORAUM frames are made to instantly hug you; making it feel light, comfortable and more tailored than it looks.

In fact, its thick, vintage inspired look is made to not only make us look and feel good, but to also protect and shelter us. According to Graziottin and co-founder, Sergio Eusebi, they wanted to create and portray a space of “intimacy” between the eyewear and wearer and to use their frames as a “protective screen” to filter out “the chaos of the world.”

Mask A1 as Sunglasses

KUBORAUM’s latest collection comes in a range of black and navy blue glossy acetates, along with matte black finishes on specific models. Both sunglass and reading frames are available.

However way you decide to wear the KUBORAUM frames, it’ll always make a statement (in a positive way, of course). It will work great dressed up or dressed down and either way, compliments are bound to come your way!

Mask B1 as Sunglasses

KUBORAUM is a collection that Spectacle’s flagship store on West Queen West in Toronto carries as it caters to offer the newest and most cutting edge brands that may even be a bit before their time. 

KUBORAUM is a brand that Spectacle takes into consideration for their younger A-clientele. 

Mask A3 as Sunglasses 

Come on in and give them a try, I’m sure KUBORAUM’s mask-fitting frames will have you feeling like a lavishing different you! Pun intended. 

Written by Christina Cheng, Frame Stylist with Spectacle & Freelance Journalist

Spectacle Loves Super!

 The waiting is over! We just got in a fresh shipment of Super sunglasses.  From Rihanna to David Beckham, celebs just love Super sunglasses!

David Beckham in Top Ski

Rihanna in Side View

There are 4 new frames that will be on sale at Spectacle:

Classic Francis

Andrea Francis

Classic Francis in Havana

Limited Edition Matte Black Ciccio

   Super sunglasses work to create cool, stylish frames and they are available now at Spectacle!

Linda Farrow Luxe Now at Spectacle!

What do some of the most stylish celebrities such as Beyonce and Ashley Olsen have in common?  They all love Linda Farrow!

 Linda Farrow's new Luxe collection is available at our Queen St. West location. The collection has a strong fashion-forward look, with an edgy feel.

LFL 152 / 3

LFL 18 C1

Linda Farrow began her company with the help of her favourite Optician, who also happens to be her husband.  She was among the first fashion designers to treat eyewear as a fashion accessory rather than simply a requirement.

LFL 136 / 5

Linda creates extremely fashionable pieces using high quality materials such as horn, leather, metal - even snakeskin!

LFL 88 / 6

LFL 96 / 3

If you're looking for a high quality, fashionable shade for the Summer months ahead, the Linda Farrow Luxe collection may be the perfect fit!