Thom Browne's runway eyewear is set to become a retail reality: The designer will launch his first collection of sunglasses and optical frames with Dita Eyewear this fall, WWD reports.
Based on the glasses worn by models in his 2009 men's show in Florence, the "mostly unisex" collection comprises frames crafted from ultra-thin metal arms and horn temples, with leather and mesh panels adorning the sides. In describing the overall aesthetic, the designer pointed to the retro character of that 2009 show in his WWD interview:
“It’s a Forties, Fifties and Sixties feel,” Browne said, running through the era’s cast of characters that inspired him. “It’s not always a movie star, but politicians and architects, like Philip Johnson and [Ludwig] Mies van der Rohe -- people who lived their life intellectually and elevated other people to their level instead of commercially bringing everyone to the same level.”
The frames, which will retail between $400-$1,000, will be revealed at Browne's June 26 show, marking just the beginning of the designer's focus on eyewear: “Every season,” he said, “I plan on designing a specific frame for each show.”
