Denim inspired sunglass

Alain Mikli, the designer who brought you shutter-shades, has collaborated with designer Lee Cooper to create these sculptural shades. The lenses are carved to look like a zip-fly and feature a denim printed frame, making this brilliant design irrefutably a fly one.

photo: high snobiety.com

Barack Rocks Ray-Ban

On the cover of Ebony magazine, presidential candidate Barrack Obama epitomizes cool by stepping out in his Ray-Ban shades. 

iGlasses?

Myvu offers both a sunglass and 'crystal' frame which play video directly into the lenses. Equipped with ear buds that run along the temples, you can now play media through these from your ipod/iphone. Although designed with practicality in mind, these devices seem to be little more than a culmination of retro futuristic fantasies. The larger sunglass model seems to be the least conspicuous of the line. 

photos: myvu.com

The Gold Standard

Super recently unveiled its latest line of sunglasses featuring Carl Zeiss 24k gold lenses. The classic styles of the frames off-sets the cutting edge technology of these lenses. Sure to turn heads, these shining lenses are a must for those who like to wear their sunglasses at night. 

Seeing Green

For those striving to do good by our mother earth, iWood has created a luxury line of eco-sustainable wood veneer frames. Fully rx-able, these frames also boast hypo-allergenic temples. iWood's stylish frames have graced the pages of Glamour, O, Domino, Cosmo, InStyle, Vogue and TeenVogue, (just to name a few) and complement their jewelry collection. Currently their only boutique is located in Louisville, Kentucky, but check out their website and try contacting them about their green and stylish styles.

Yves Saint Laurent: Fashion Legend

opulentoptics would like to pay tribute to a man whose designs have forever shaped the world of fashion. Sadly, Monsieur Laurent passed on June 1, 2008 in his Paris residence from the effects of brain cancer. He and his long-time partner Pierre Bergé whom he started the YSL house with, were joint in a civil union just days before his passing.
After saving the Christian Dior house at just 21 years old, Yves and Bergé created the YSL house. Always cutting edge as an artist and businessman, Yves' 'Rive Gauche' popularized ready-to-wear and brought trends into mainstream. Most notably his creation of 'Le Smoking' suit, a classic tuxedo suit for women is still an iconic trend today.
In 1983, Yves was the first living fashion designer to be honored with a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Just a year prior to his retirement, in 2001, he was awarded the rank of Commander of the Légion d'Honneur by French president Jacques Chirac.
Truly one of fashion's most influential artists of all time, Yves Saint Laurent's memory and vision will live forever through his designs.

Opulent Optics' Pick of the Season: Chanel 5018

Fashion powerhouse Chanel always maintains its classic sense of sophistication while keeping up with cutting edge style. Actually a part of their '07 collection, the 5018 style has graced some of the most fashionable faces including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The half-tint lens is what truly sets these sunglasses apart from all others.

Oh say Cannes you see?

This season's frames are taking a backseat to stylish lenses. French film icon Catherine Deneuve opts for gradient lenses even in her small opthalmic frame. Spotted at the Cannes Film Festival, Ms. Deneuve shows her expertise in eyewear- check out her line of opthalmic frames. Get 'em

Tom Ford, We Love You

On set for the upcoming film, New York, I Love You Actor Hayden Christensen keeps it cool in Tom Ford's Mackenzie sunglasses. Their black plastic frame is quintessential American style and Tom's demure horizontal T on the temple doesn't detract from the frames' classic look. Young Hollywood can't get enough of Tom's shades and neither can we!

Super Sienna

From the Super site.
Sienna Miller sporting a nice pair of Super neon shades.

"Diamond Harlot" by Oliver Peoples

From the Oliver Peoples 2008 Resort Spring Collection:
"DIAMOND HARLOT
Black/Gold/Diamonds with Gradient
Sensationally sexy, 70's-inspired oversized sunglass hand-crafted in round, contoured plastic and metal accents. Available in a variety of OP-exclusive colors. Oliver Peoples logo plaque discreetly laminated at temple end. 6-base lens curve and 100% UV protection. Set in 10g total weight of gold, the exclusive frame is available in three color ways; Black with 18k Yellow Gold, Ivory Shell with 14k Rose Gold, and Storm Grey with 18k White Gold and features 1.5 carats of brilliant, round cut, natural white diamonds."

We think this is one of the most successful takes on "Breakfast at Tiffany" sunglasses we've seen in a while. Bold yet elegant, with a definite touch of luxury in its use of 18/14k gold and 1.5 carats of actual diamonds!

Stick with the black colorway though, the model looses a little bit of its appeal with the ivory and storm grey options.

Wikipedia!

Opulent Optics has been booming recently.

We're so glad we've become your go to place for everything opulent and everything in optics.

We also consider it a MAJOR compliment that we were recently cited in the Wikipedia entry for Shutter Shades.

Keep checking back regularly as we gear up for great sunglasses weather and continue to show you the best!

Tiki Time

These sunglasses are featured at style.com and are playful aviators that are perfect for island fun.

Yikes, Stripes!

Latest look in the Spring 2008 printed trend, Australian brand Ksubi (formerlly Tsubi), stripes their cream wayfarer version. Special gradient lenses add another dimension to their play on the iconic style.

Spring Fashion 2008

Hot new designer Karen Walker gives the latest spin on the hybrid wayfarer and jackie-o style shades. Subverting the classic style with retro neons, Spring 2008 brings a whimsical and young aesthetic to a this iconic look.
Style.com refers to the label..

"Karen Walker, now in her third season here, has built a solid business on her singular, cheery-but-subversive brand of sartorial whimsy. To wit, she considered adding classic styles to her popular line of eyewear before deciding to just give 'em nothing but big and bold. The result: multiple reorders at Barneys. The lesson: To thine own self be true."

Further proof that Spring 2008 is all about having fun and standing out.

Diamond Supply Co. T-Shirt

Diamond Supply Co. and Girl Skateboards have collaborated to produce this T-Shirt which completely captures the appeal of 50's beauty and the classic iconic status of the Wayfarer. DSC has been doing great collaborations in the past few years, and we'd LOVE to see them doing some eyewear sometime soon.

photo via: ctothejl

Zappos

We just realized the other day that Zappos carries eyewear. This has been a great source in the past for footwear, especially because of their free overnight shipping and returns, but now they're a great place to look for sunglasses too. Here's the link to their eyewear page: http://www.zappos.com/eyewear.htm?ref=shopfor

We found a nice pair of this past summer's Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses, so its definitely a decent source.

Eye Candy Store

While looking around for vintage shops in New York City, we found Eye Candy Store" which has a few pairs of pretty cool vintage sunglasses. It seems like that they typically stock are frames like these, "Playboy Sunglasses." They have pretty decent prices too.