Ray-Ban Sunglasses – The Celebrity Choice & Twilight Accessory!

November 30, 2009
Posted by Laura

We all know that RayBan sunglasses are one of the most popular, ever stylish and versatile sunglasses around. The brand has a remarkable history and has been featured in numerous iconic films including Top Gun, The Blues Brothers and Men in Black.

This month, when I have been looking through the style pages of the glossies, Ray-Ban sunglasses have cropped up on many occasions and the brand definitely seems to be the choice of many celebrities. Yes, it may be November, but sunglasses as every fashion lover is aware, can make for a high style statement and add a finishing touch to your look come rain or shine. Ray-Ban’s have the added advantage of being incredibly functional and so when the sunshine does pop out on the odd occasion (well, here in the UK!), then you know your peepers will be fully protected from UV rays.

So, Ray-Bans and celebrities. The two definitely seem to go hand in hand and here is a rundown of who has been wearing what style of Ray-Ban shades over the past month or so.

Most of us have harboured an obsession with the Twilight film and of course, more recently the new sequel New Moon. Remember when we saw the rather dashing Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) in the first scenes of Twilight with a cool pair of shades? Well, these were infact the classic Wayfarers and the actor himself in addition to his co-stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner claimed that Ray-Ban Wayfarers are the ultimate Twilight accessory. Well, if they’re good enough for great looking vampires!

Rachel Bilson who has become quite the fashionista since the hit show the OC has regularly been spotted in her Ray-Ban 2140’s in a dark tortoiseshell tone. The dark shade of these sunglasses compliment Bilson’s dark hair and skin tone as they offer something a little softer in colour than block black. With sleek lines and sharp style, these 2140’s make for a great laid back look and are very popular among a young and trendy crowd.

With the departure of Lauren Conrad from the latest season of the Hills, Audrina Partridge has taken the crown of style Queen (and drama!) in the show and has frequently been spotted wearing a pair of Ray-Ban aviators in gold. From a style perspective, these are the ultimate in versatility and Audrina has been seen wearing them en-route to the gym, out casually with friends and to the beach. They definitely inject an effortlessly cool edge to your look no matter what your choice of outfit. Another fan of the Ray-Ban aviators is Minority Report bad boy actor Colin Farrell who was pictured wearing a gold rimmed pair. Ray-Ban aviators were first launched in 1937 and aside from contemporary updates such as colour and lens technologies, the aesthetic styling is exactly the same proving that the brand is timelessly on trend.

From a functional perspective, many Ray Ban sunglasses also incorporate a G-15 lens. The G-15 lenses transmit colour naturally and therefore you get a clearer and true vision as opposed to just seeing heavy lens colour. This technology has been incorporated into many Ray-Ban sunglasses over the past seven decades and is unique to the brand.

Other celebs who love their laid back Ray-Ban look is Nicky Hilton, Kate Moss, Peaches Geldof and Rhianna, some of whom favour their coloured Ray-Ban Wayfarers which were one of the most popular accessories at this year’s music festivals. Ray-Ban is one of those brands that people love, trust and tend to find a pair within the extensive selection that suits them. Unlike some other designer brands, they are also affordable with the Wayfarers just below £80 so you can look like a celeb and not break the bank!

Ray-Ban has existed for over 70 years and with iconic styles consistently worn and re-vamped, this brand is definitely staying at the forefront of fashion for quite some time.

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Oakley Goggles – The Science Behind the Lenses

November 29, 2009
Posted by Laura

Oakley is one of the most popular and respected sports fashion brands and is so popular due to its incredibly high quality range of sunglasses, watches, clothing and goggles. The brand was founded by Jim Jannard who was an entrepreneur eager to combine his love of motorcycle sports with his business skills. Jannard first developed an idea based around designing revolutionary types of hand gripes for off-road motorcyclists. His range of sunglasses and goggles was the next step when he noticed the lack of high quality motorcycle sunglasses. The end product was the first pair of Oakley goggles which are now mostly popular for skiers and snowboarders.

Oakley Goggles – A Trusted Lifestyle Brand

Most snow sport enthusiasts will have heard of the Oakley brand as Oakley goggles are famous for being one of the most functional, revolutionary and stylish brands available. This is also the reason that many professionals use the brand as well as those who like Oakley as a reliable lifestyle brand. Ultimately Oakley is renowned for its durability and both the Oakley MX Goggles and the Oakley Snow Goggles are designed to endure the most intense snow sports and optimise vision whilst on the slopes.

Oakley Goggles – The Science and Technology Bit…..

So what actually makes Oakley goggles so special and what are they made from to make them so durable and functional? Oakley invests a great deal of time and labour into researching the best materials and then designing and manufacturing. The brand never rushes production and is constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to improve the function of its products. Here is a selection of the specific features which makes Oakley Goggles so effective -:

Lens Coating: This special lens coating is designed to reduce glare and increase clarity regardless of the light conditions. It adapts according to the light optimising vision and making the experience far safer and enjoyable. The Shaun White A Frame Oakley goggles are just one pair that incorporates this.

Anti-Fog-: Some of the goggles feature anti-fog which can absorb a minimum of 2 ml of water and help to maximise vision in blurry and foggy weather conditions, again enhancing safety. The Oakley Splice goggles are one pair that includes this.

Impact Protection-: Eye protection is paramount when on the slopes and Oakley Goggles are designed to endure even the most extreme weather conditions with Oakley extensive impact protection. The goggles go through intense testing before the final product is released so you therefore know that they are providing ultimate eye and face protection. The Pro Frame MX goggles incorporate this feature.

Oakley Goggles – The Oakley Style

Eye protection and maximum visual clarity is top of your priority list when investing in a pair of goggles but looking good whilst on the slopes is definitely a bonus too! Oakley goggles, like the vast array of sunglasses come in a range of cool colours. There is also a collection designed for females some of which in more girly colours such as pink and white such as the Stockholm Ladies goggles and these are also made for a perfect fit for girls. It is advisable to buy goggles made specifically for your gender as they tend to be designed to fit accordingly which again is vital to ensure protection.

Oakley is a trusted and reliable lifestyle brand and you can be completely assured that you are investing in a top quality pair of goggles that have undergone maximum trial and tested according to athletic standards. They are also fun to wear with their cool and striking aesthetic features and when you are combining both style and durability, this is definitely a winning accessory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Michael Kors Watches – Kors Reveals his Top Style Tip

November 28, 2009
Posted by Laura

Any fashion lover will know that Michael Kors clothing and accessories depict the essence of luxury. People love the brand because it has a simple and easy to wear style but remains in an exquisite class all of its own due to the carefully designed cut, materials and craftsmanship.

Michael Kors as an individual is always keen to step out and really be the face of the brand, making appearances on programmes such as Project Runway and is happy to provide his own opinion, expertise and recommendations on style. The recession has affected millions of people and has of course, had an impact on consumer’s ability to spend money on what would be considered luxury items. However, Kors believes that no matter what you spend on clothing and accessories, achieving great style is accomplished by the way you wear something and what you team it with and not necessarily by wearing top to toe designer pieces with a huge price tag.

Kors revealed his opinion that some people can look over the top if they laden themselves in designer garments and the trick to keeping it refined and not like you are showing off is to balance the look. For example, if you wear with an injection of colour, keep the cut simple and streamlined and the same goes with adding jewellery – a bold Michael Kors watch will look equally as beautiful and effective if worn with a high street plain silhouette – the effect won’t look as striking if you team it with a complicated outfit and over the top jewellery as the ensemble then gets too clustered. Kors is renowned and loved for his simple and elegant style and believes that a must-know style rule is to balance so that you emphasise one point whether this be hair, clothing colour, jewellery or shoes.

The range of Michael Kors watches are the perfect accessory to apply to that rule and are definitely statement enough to wear as your main focal accessory. With exquisite gold toned and neutral colours and striking but gentle patterns, a Michael Kors watch defines elegance, sophistication and adds something unique to your look with a timeless appeal.

Here is a rundown of the latest Michael Kors watches-:

MK4127 – A stunning dual strand bracelet style watch with tortoiseshell patterned links and a sleek gold dial, the colour combination is very autumnal and will warm up the look of the skin and outfit.

MK5198 – A contemporary styled Michael Kors watch with a silver multi strand bracelet strap and baby pink dial, this is slightly more trend focused and youthful.

MK5195 – Similar to the watch above but entirely baby pink with silver detailing. Incredibly girly and contemporary in style but with that Michael Kors sophistication.

Michael Kors is consistently updating his collections to cater for new trends as well as retaining his individual and unique style. The watches are instantly recognisable as Michael Kors and the designer always gets it right because he has a great eye for style and knows what works. Great style doesn’t have to be an outfit of designer clothing and accessories – a few key pieces placed together in the right way make for effortless yet striking style and that is exactly what the addition of a Michael Kors watch achieves.

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Scarlett Johansson for D&G

November 27, 2009
Posted by Laura

Italian fashion label Dolce & Gabbana is famous for its elaborate and glamorous advertising campaigns and past models and that have all made memorable appearances include Gisele, Lily Donaldson and Gemma Ward. The latest glamazon to grace the billboards and silver screens as the face of D&G is actress Scarlett Johansson who is the perfect match for the sophistication and femininity that the brand aims to convey in its range of clothing, accessories, jewellery and watches.

There has been a huge issue surrounding the use of thin models in advertising campaigns and on the catwalks and therefore an icon such as Scarlett Johansson who is renowned and adored for her curvaceous, womanly figure and extraordinary beauty, is the perfect choice to represent the theme of D&G. The actress’s image is very reminiscent of 50’s Hollywood glamour and this is definitely the essence of the D&G collections with the watches being as sparkly, sophisticated and chic as ever.

There are some wonderful new styles to look for this season, all of which are perfect for the inevitable parties that take place over the festive season and beyond. The new Flock D&G watches are both aesthetically stunning and practical with their silver D&G branded bangle strap and simple faces in either mint green or black. The new Visionnaire D&G watch with its multi strand links and diamante inserts is absolutely striking and makes for the ideal evening style watch that will perfectly compliment your party dress. For something a little more neutral and understated yet with that untouchable D&G chic edge, the New Gloria watch with its black or white leather strap and diamante bezel is a perfect way to jazz up your day look and can easily transcend through to a dressed up evening out. For the men, the Anchor D&G watch certainly allows you to shine in a masculine manner with its polished stainless steel strap and ultra chic black and silver round dial with the iconic D&G logo positioned at the bottom.

D&G is a label which is consistently spotted at high profile events whether this is the brand sponsoring a party (such as the New Moon preview after party) or if the attendees are seen wearing garments and accessories by the label. It is a brand which is always on the scene and people are constantly aware of its ever evolving collections. The advertising campaigns are also key to establishing the image that D&G wants to portray in the actual products – the elaborate settings, exquisite colours and romantic tone all help to convey D&G as a brand that is synonymous with all of these elements. The collection of D&G watches are the perfect way to capture a part of that glamour and the bold and unique designs which push design and colour boundaries really make a statement about your style. The new additions for this season are perfect if you want to shine like a Hollywood star and add something really special to your festive look!

 

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Eye-Popping Black Dice Watches


Posted by sarah

Have we got a treat for all urban watch fans this Winter. New to Shade Station is Black Dice’s latest range of very cool looking watches. Known for their street edge and celebrity fanbase, Black Dice have come a long way since their creation in 2006. Nowadays their watches can be seen adorning the A-List at award ceremonies and X-Factor live shows, to name just a few.

Black Dice originally aimed to seduce those working in the music industry and people involved in all aspects of urban culture, however eye-popping wristwear designs have meant their appeal has travelled beyond this niche market. Their watches are chunky, eye-catching and technologically innovative – however, generally mute in colour. Not so now. Take a look at the new Black Dice range on our shop pages. Bursts of neon jump off the screen, interspersed with reliable black designs and another new introduction to Black Dice watches - brown leather croc wriststraps!

So bright it hurts watches, include; ‘The Don’ and ‘Guru’. Produced in shocking colours, these flouro watches are guaranteed to get you noticed. We particuarly like the neon pink Don, with it’s grooved thick rubber strap and contrasting black face – although designed for men, it would look equally good on any woman with a unique, hip sense of style.

‘The Guru’ is a little smaller and more streamlined, with an elongated rectangular digital face on a brightly coloured rubber strap – choose from turqouise, canary yellow, orange, pink and vivid green for arm candy to die for.

Just like LTD Watches, Black Dice are paving the way for a new exciting generation of in-yer-face, fun wristwear.

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Diesel Sunglasses – The Retro Inspired New Styles

November 26, 2009
Posted by Laura

Diesel sunglasses are very much representative of the edgy and funky Diesel style and the brand is popular all around the world due to its ability to combine high fashion style with a unique edge and sits between the high street and high end designer making it sought after yet accessible to many.

The 2009 sunglasses collection by Diesel is reflective of styles that are timeless; creatively fusing vintage retro with contemporary and futuristic. Many of the sunglasses incorporate colour and patterns and are incredibly striking in that true Diesel style. Diesel sunglasses are a statement accessory but one that defines individuality and works well with a number of looks regardless of how casual, smart, on trend or glamorous you like to look.

Here is a rundown of the latest new styles for the forthcoming season-:

DS0182-: Square style frames have been seen worn by a number celebrities in recent months and make for a more edgy and versatile look than the classic round or bug eyed oversized trend if perhaps you don’t favour this so much. With sleek and simple black frames and the Diesel logo positioned on the arm, these unisex shades have the ability to transform your look and have that retro sporty edge that is very much on trend but a little unique. This style also comes in tortoiseshell patterned and vibrant red with a black interior which adds definition and a bang on trend touch to the sunglasses.

DS0185-: Of course, the classic round oversized sunnies will forever remain a style staple for many of us ladies who like to recreate that Hollywood glamour and these Diesel ones are really quite special with a retro shape and a beautiful pink to clear fade effect. These sunglasses are unisex and would make for an edgy look on the guys and a super feminine and elegant look on the girls.

DS0186-: A further square style frame, these unisex sunglasses feature a stunning violet toned frame with a gold top bar and a thick gold line down the arms. These are incredibly fresh, current and will compliment a variety of looks. This style is the perfect autumn accessory and a great way to add some colour. This style is also available in black and turquoise.

Diesel is one of those brands that is consistently updating its collections and styles and is loved for its funky and edgy designs that suit a number of different style personalities. The great thing about Diesel sunglasses is that they work well with variety of looks and have longevity and timeless appeal. The new range of Diesel sunglasses are eye-catching and depict a fantastic combination of trend appeal, individuality and superior quality. The distinctive designs are a creative and innovative combination of vintage glamour with added contemporary twists and are a current hot favourite among a number of celebs and fashionistas.

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Superdry Watches: Unique Style with a Japanese Influence


Posted by Laura

Superdry is a unique and funky clothing and accessories brand which was founded 2003. What makes Superdry different to other brands is its eclectic fusion of all American style with a strong touch of Japanese fashion influences which is mainly conveyed with the use of graphic prints which you will see featured on the clothing and accessories. It was following a trip to Tokyo that the founders of Superdry actually decided to launch the brand as they were so inspired by the dynamic Japanese style and trends and thought it would merge well with an American/European foundation. American style is great but you have to inject something a little more globally relevant and interesting to separate your brand from the hundreds of others in the industry.

What people like about Superdry is that it gives you a sense of wearing something unique. The brand prides itself on maintaining a limited edition feel to its clothing and accessories and is constantly updating its collections.

Superdry is mainly noted for its funky range of t-shirts, hoodies and bags which typically feature a retro style with graphic designed images. The Osaka t-shirts are particulary popular and come in an array of funky colours. David Beckham was also pictured wearing an Osaka Superdry t-shirt which certainly helped to put the brand on the map and give it a cool, trendy and masculine image. Ultimately Superdry aims to give people the ability to express their personality in their style and stand out from the crowd.

Superdry have extended their lines and collections and with a large store in Covent Garden in London as well as a number of concession stores, the brand is certainly obtaining a great reputation and is popular among the fash pack and celebrities.

Superdry watches maintain the same theme as the clothing; they keep up with current style trends but inject a Japanese inspired enhancement to the look. A brand new style to look out for is the Superdry Sport collection. These come in an array of vibrant colours including blue, orange, white, hot pink and green and as the name suggests, have a sporty aesthetic. With a simple design including a plastic strap, the main focus of these watches is in the bold colour and the Superdry logo on the dial and strap which also includes the Japanese lettering translation. The Lumber is also a hot new Superdry style and comes in a version for men and women – the Lumber Girl (designed for a smaller wrist). Capturing key watch trends such as a wide strap and large dial, the lumberjack style checks are also featured on the strap whether this is the whole strap or just the reverse side. Checked patterns are a common design on many other Superdry products including men and women’s shirts. The new Brad watch takes inspiration from a well known A List celebrity and the female equivalent of this watch is named Angelina –this is a great example of how Superdry is a fun brand and likes to play around with names and inspirations! With a wide durable soft leather strap and a dial with two separate time movements, this is definitely a unique and striking watch to look out for. There are also cool female watches such as the new Coins Superdry watch. Incredibly distinctive and designed in a charm bracelet style, the charms are coins and the dial is integrated into one of the charms. This style has an urban and funky edge and adds an extra flavour to a piece of jewellery which is typically ‘girly’.

Superdry is definitely the hot label of the moment but has a timeless style that will be prominent for years to come. When you find a label that has its own unique style, people will stick to it as they feel it is a way of expressing their individuality as opposed to going for the clone look! Jude Law and Kate Moss are fans of the brand and both celebrities are renowned for their unique sense of style and reluctance to follow trends but prefer to set them. Superdry watches are made using the finest materials and at prices between £40 and £135 there is a style to suit all budgets.

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Philippe Starck For Fossil – True Design Innovation


Posted by Laura

Fossil likes to keep their watch collections exciting and is constantly reinventing their designs to keep up with style and cultural trends. The brand is so popular because the watches are very fashion forward; capturing key trends such as the layered look or the ceramic strap look for example but remain true to the unique raw Fossil style and quality.

To really inject a style shake up, Fossil have also teamed up with iconic designer Philippe Starck who has created a superb range of watches for the brand, all of which are great examples of dynamic innovation and have a minimal and futuristic aesthetic.

Philippe Starck is quite the legendary designer and his work ranges from laying out restaurants and hotels to designing chairs and toothbrushes. The designer looks at everyday objects and likes to play around with funky designs and turn them into a work of art. His recent collaboration with Fossil has led to a collection of sleek watches that have a typical Starck architectural influence.

The Philippe Starck watch collection comprises of a range of digital and analogue watches for Fossil and experiments with a minimal and elegant look with a hint of futuristic styling. The new and exclusive Philippe Starck O Ring Digi watch is a new addition and has a sleek stainless steel bracelet strap with the focal point being an LCD dial – the central section of the dial is open to create ring effect. The exclusive Palidrome PH6000 is incredibly streamlined and minimal with a white leather strap and a white Starck dial with barely any detailing. This is definitely a striking watch and a conversation piece! The new unisex Glitz Digi is a beautiful watch with a white rubber strap and a diamante embellished case to add some glitz and glamour. The dial has a multi module digital display. This watch is also available in black.

The Philippe Starck watches are a great addition to the collection and definitely add something completely unique; Fossil likes to use the influence of architecture within their designs and Starck was the perfect designer choice as his work typically turns everyday objects into statements. His fascination with architecture has been a strong influence in the design of the Fossil watches as each and every one is sleek and streamlined and experiments with colours to add definition. His minimal yet effective watch designs are incredibly striking and are of course timelessly stylish as they are unique to Starck’s inspiration.

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Timex Watches: The Ideal Triathlon Accessory!

November 24, 2009
Posted by Laura

The Ironman Triathlon is a sporting event that requires a great deal of skill, determination and strength. It includes three sports; swimming, biking, and running which you carry out one after the other. Timex is a watch brand that designs watches geared towards sporting requirements and to enhance and measure performance. The brand wanted to add a sporting edge to their simply styled watches and the first sports orientated Timex launched watch was the Timex Ironman Triathlon watch which catered for all sporting elements of the Triathlon.

When this watch was released, it was incredibly well received and the demand for sports watches with a simple aesthetic and affordable price tag was still very apparent. Today, Timex watches have varied prices which of course depend on the features, the E-Instruments watch for example is £135 where as it includes functions such as an altimeter, compass and weather station. On the other side of the price scale, the new Core Digital watch, which as the name suggests has the primary function of displaying the time is £18. Even this watch has an added stop watch feature however and Timex watches in general are renowned for their high quality and great functions which far exceed their price.

Timex watches are popular among many people aside from sports enthusiasts. The aesthetic of the watches are durable and smart and therefore they easily transcend from day to night and as cosmetic features are an increasingly important factor in the popularity of watches, they are very much on trend. Also, there are now Timex watches made exclusively for women and these often incorporate scaled down versions of the men’s styles such as the Field Small. Some of the ladies styles also come in more girly colours as well as neutral including pink and purple.

One of the most innovative features which is included in many Timex watches such as the gold plated Core Digital watch, is the use of the Indi glow backlight which at the press of the button, lights up the whole display making the watches visible at night or in low lighting. When this new technology was introduced to the Timex Ironman Triathlon watches in 1992 it was one of the main selling points of the watch and this design became one of the most popular watch across the world.

In today’s collection of Timex watches, the Ironman Triathlon watch has developed and with new versions include the Timex Shock Resistant which includes numerous functions and is designed to endure multiple sporting activities. These watches are ideal for expert athletes including Cricket star Brett Lee and serious trainers. For people who enjoy sports goods, triathlon watches are must-have collectibles.

Timex watches are still affordable and made to the highest quality. They retain that raw Timex quality but are now very much regarded as fashion forward and super stylish. With the added benefit of being versatile and versions which cater for both daywear and night wear, Timex is definitely one of the hot watch brands to look out for.

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