Oakley Frogskins lead the retro revival!
Shade Station Blog
Oakley is one of the biggest sunglass companies in the world. With a history of technological innovation in the eyewear industry, they are the brand of choice for most professional and amateur sportsmen and women. Oakley sunglasses dominate the winter sports scene, extreme sports, cycling and athletics. The horizontally elongated O of their logo is a permanent fixture in active, competitive environments like the Tour de France, the Olympics (Winter and Summer) and among all adventure pursuits. But you may be surprised to know that Oakley sunglasses are also quite hip!
In the height of the fashionable Eighties, Oakley released a style of sunglasses to rival the popularity of the Ray Ban Wayfarer and Clubmaster. This directional pair of sunglasses were known as the Oakley Frogskins. The Frogskin style has a similar shape to the humble Wayfarer, but is slightly rounder and sports a far wider breadth of colour combinations and lenses. Embraced by actors and musicians in the 1980s, Oakley Frogskins became as notable as the decade itself.
Fast forward 10 years to the mid Nineties and the sale of Oakley Frogskin sunglasses was in decline. Eventually the style was discontinued, whilst Oakley concentrated their assault on the growing sports market. By the Noughties the Frogskins had become a classic style and any remaining pairs were entirely exclusive and swapping hands for hundreds of dollars. With the re-launch of their sunglasses rival the Wayfarer and the taste for all things retro a few years ago, Oakley decided it was high time their Frogskin style was spruced up and re-introduced to the gagging public! With 50 different colours and only limited runs on each model, Oakley Frogskin sunglasses have become ultra-exclusive. Loved by the likes of Kanye West, Zac Efron, Joel Madden and style sister Mary-Kate Olsen, Frogskins are the sexy, fun and very cool sunnies of choice.
Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley has also introduced a four-legged friend into the sunglasses equation! Not content with releasing their iconic Eighties shades, it is now possible to buy Limited Edition Four-Legged Frogskins. This simply means your Oakley Frogskins will come with an extra pair of different coloured arm stems, giving the owner the opportunity to mix and match as they please!
Who said Wayfarers were the only shades to rule the retro sunglasses revival?
Sunglasses Style Update – Spring 2010
With summer on the way, a pair of sunglasses provides the essential accessory to protect your eyes and ensure that you look super stylish. Whether you prefer your sunglasses to be chic, sophisticated, super glamorous, sporty, or perhaps a combination of each style, we definitely have something that will appeal. With a huge array of designer brands to choose from, you need look no further than Shade Station when finding your perfect pair of sunglasses.
Carrera sunglasses are going to be huge this summer and we have already seen both Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys rocking a pair of Carreras in their recent music videos. With celebrities such as Kanye West and Paris Hilton also working the Carrera sunglass look, these retro sporty inspired sunglasses with vibrant coloured and fresh toned frames are effortlessly cool, great for everyday chic and offer something a little alternative.
A new exciting brand just added to our list is Pucci sunglasses . This designer label is famous for its vibrantly printed scarves with beautiful swirly, psychedelic style patterns and the brand has now launched a sunglasses range. Capturing the key trend of colour, the collection comprises of some wonderfully glamorous oversized retro style sunglasses with the iconic boho style Pucci pattern as well as block colours including stunning aqua tones as well as feminine violet and purple. The detailing incorporated into the Pucci sunglasses is also striking.
Next up we have the ever stylish and faithful Police sunglasses brand which with their understated yet effortlessly cool range, you will never fail to look chic and stylish. Police shades have also added some new styles to their collection which include sleek wraparound sunglasses, classic style sunglasses with narrow frames and aviators and even some retro oversized styles with a sporty edge. Great sunglasses for both the guys and girls!
Fendi is also a hot designer brand to look out for and following the launch of the new Fendi Chef handbag, the luxury brand thought it only fair to launch a pair of Fendi sunglasses to match – perfect for every fashionista! There are some wonderfully dramatic but elegant Fendi oversized sunglass styles with pretty embellishments such as a small flower positioned on the frame making for a delicate touch. Perfect for channelling a high fashion and polished edge.
Who could forget Prada? The ultimate in glamour, Prada sunglasses have some incredibly styles for both men and women ranging from classically oversized to cool aviators and some new geek chic styles with narrow lenses and thick frames. The Prada butterfly sunglasses which are nipped in at the centre are still a huge must-have for this season and add definition and a unique edge to your look – perfect for something that little bit different. In an array of vibrant colours as well as classic tones such as black and brown, Prada sunglasses tick every style box.
Prada Sport sunglasses are also a new addition and offer something a little more sports orientated and great for everyday on-the-go chic with understated classic styles complete with the vibrant Prada Sport logo. Wraparound sunglasses, visor style sunglasses, geek chic style sunglasses (thick frames and narrow lenses) and aviator sunglasses are the hot designs to look out for and perfectly capture that summer chic look with a casual edge.
Ray-Ban sunglasses never fail to be a hot favourite and the style icons cannot get enough of the revamped and on-trend colourful Wayfarers which are constantly seen when the sun comes out (and even when it doesn’t!). This season, Ray-Ban have also launched Limited Edition Wayfarers which of course, are only available for a limited amount of time and are going to be a firm style favourite this summer an sure to be seen at the music festivals. One of the most classic of all the Ray-Ban’s and one of the first styles of sunglasses to be launched is the Aviator RB3025 sunglass which is still going strong and a classic that has been adapted to incorporate various lens and frame colours but retaining the original edge that makes it so popular and again, a favourite among the celebrities!
For something ultra dramatic, glamorous and show stopping look no further than BVLGARI sunglasses. These sunglasses are always regarded as on trend due to their high fashion appeal that never fails to attract attention. Regularly spotted on the most chic of style icons and celebrities BVLGARI sunglasses are the depiction of luxury fashion. With intricately designed hinge detailing, embellishments that often stretch down the length of the arm and the incorporation of exquisite colours the collection of oversized and visor style BVLGARI sunglasses are timeless accessories.
Tom Ford is the man of the moment in both movies and fashion and his collection of Tom Ford sunglasses are wonderfully chic and glamorous. One particular style that will definitely turn heads is the oversized Nico Sunglass style – these sunglasses are creatively designed with a triangular style frame but as this season is all about going bold and as fashion is about creating a statement then why not give them a try and assert your own unique high fashion style! Other styles include the more classic and slim framed oversized styles as well as some super chic new aviators which are timeless sunglass classics.
Lady Gaga shot to stardom in 2009 and she is now one of the most famous ladies in pop, also noted for her unusual but amazing sense of fashion. Whilst off stage Lady Gaga can often be spotted working the latest designer shades and she was recently featured on the front cover of V Magazine in a pair of MMJ112 Marc Jacobs peel-off style sunglasses! The MMJ112 sunglasses are an oversized retro style and look incredibly funky and stylish in hot seasonal colours. These are sure to be a favourite this spring/summer along with the other oversized and aviator Marc Jacobs sunglass styles.
The famous Oakley sunglass brand never fails to surprise and impress with its highly innovative and stylish range of sunglasses, perfect for every sporting need. Some of the new releases including the O Rokr and Split Thump incorporate added high tech features such as an MP3 player and Bluetooth so you can listen to your favourite tunes and keep in touch whilst on the go! The new Oakley Conduct frame is an amazingly slick visor style with Oakley’s unique High Definition Optics for precise visual clarity and a chic and bold aesthetic style. The Oakley M Frame sunglasses capture the futuristic style appeal and feature innovative M shaped lenses for function, style and comfort and the new Oakley Hinder sunglasses are an oversized style for ladies with that distinct Oakley attitude with a high trend edge. Oakley is always at the forefront of eyewear technology and the brand’s sunglasses never fail to look sleek and streamlined and convey that the wearer really means business!
Other hot brands to look out for include the classically sophisticated Chanel sunglasses in addition to Dior sunglasses, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, Gucci sunglasses and Armani sunglasses for a wide array of super glamorous sunglasses that make for the one faithful accessory that will remain stylish for seasons to come. D Squared sunglasses, Prada Sport sunglasses and Von Zipper sunglasses offer a fantastic range of sporty but cool sunglasses and are a hit among the extreme sport athletes and celebrities. For a classic touch of chic, look no further than Armani sunglasses, Roberto Cavalli sunglasses and for that injection of street style edginess, why not opt for a pair of innovatively designed Diesel sunglasses?
At Shade Station we are always on the lookout for the latest brands and styles and regularly update our sunglasses collections. Check out our style blog so you are up to speed with what’s hot and new in! Be sure to also check out our sales to get that sought after style at a fantastic price. Whatever style of sunglasses you opt for, or even if you are looking to try something new, we have all the latest and classic styles to ensure that we fulfil every sunglass style and function need.
Gucci Sunglasses – A List Style and Sophistication
Gucci is one of the oldest and historic brands in the fashion industry and was founded by Guccio Gucci in 1906. Gucci began as a saddlery shop as Guccio had great craftsmanship skills, particularly in leather goods. He started out selling leather bags to horsemen in the 1920’s and then developed into producing luxury luggage as his clients prgressed to traveling via horseless carriages. In 1938 Guccio Gucci opened his first retail shop on the Via Condotti in Rome.
As a brand, Gucci is renowned for its interesting and unique designs and therefore has quite a diverse customer base all around the world due to its innovative products which now consist of clothing, shoes, accessories and sunglasses.
The collection of Gucci sunglasses capture every key trend and range from shield style sunglasses, rimless sunglasses which look incredibly stylish and contemporary and aviator sunglasses which resemble the look of the old and classic aviator’s glasses and also of course, the iconic oversized sunglasses.
All Gucci sunglasses incorporate some of the typical Gucci features such as the GG bamboo symbol and the colours vary from brown and black to red, green and beige. There is definitely an element of retro and vintage appeal to the style of Gucci sunglasses but with contemporary features such as colour - the new GG3100 sunglasses with their violet frames are a great example of this.
Gucci sunglasses
are definitely not a plain and ordinary brand. The new GG1926 are a square style with off grey toned frames and gradient lenses and are incredibly unique, fashion forward and have a sporty appeal. Despite being a relatively simple style, the strong lines and definition of these sunglasses definitely create a statement and are the depiction of sophistication.
For a classic oversized style which ooze drama and glamour, the GG3069 jet black Gucci sunglasses with large oval frames and the classic Gucci ‘G’ logo on the arm hinge, are the perfect option and will compliment any outfit with their sleek looks and sophisticated style.
Detailing is a common feature of Gucci and the GG2827 oversized sunglasses in a beautiful textured grey colour incorporate a striking Gucci crest logo on the arm hinge.
If you are looking for a classic aviator style, the GG1905 with silver frames and grey lenses are sophisticated, stylish and probably one of the most versatile of all sunglass styles.
Despite sunglasses being primarily designed as an accessory to protect the eyes, classic designer brands such as Gucci are responsible for also making sunglasses the ultimate fashion statement and thus people are now fascinated by the innovative and visually exciting designs of Gucci sunglasses and the brand’s other collections. Due to the huge variety of sunglasses within the Gucci collection, you are sure to find a pair that will suit your personal style and inject glamour and elegance into your look. In terms of quality and function, Gucci sunglasses are made using the most innovative technologies and materials and the lenses ensure 100% Protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays, to fully protect your eyes.
There are a number of celebrities and fashion icons who are renowned for loving their Gucci sunglasses including Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson and Kanye West. Gucci has that element of Italian style that cannot be replicated and the collection of sunglasses are exquisite, refined, timelessly on trend and dramatic.
Get Fierce Style with Von Zipper!
Von Zipper was originally founded in 1999 but was bought by sports/fashion label Billabong in 2001 who instantly recognised the brand’s edgy and eclectic style and saw it as an up and coming brand that had great potential. Von Zipper was able to keep its original team of designers and retain its unique image and Billabong escalated it further into the sports/fashion industry and helped to raise its profile.
Von Zipper sunglasses and goggles are incredibly eye catching and have an attitude that represents the ultimate in competitive style and function. The Von Zipper product development and design team are constantly working towards launching new, exciting and innovative styles every year and fans of the brand are always waiting with anticipation to see what products are coming next.
Within the designs which incorporate visually striking patterns that instantly grab your attention, Von Zipper is influenced by individual style, fashion, hip-hop, punk rock and adrenaline and has a fearless attitude attached to the name. Bands including Green Day and Velvet Revolver are fans of the Von Zipper brand and are regularly seen sporting the sungla
sses. Von Zipper team riders include 3-time world surf champion Andy Irons as well as fresh talent including skateboarder Karen Jones, snowboarder Nick Visconti and surfer Joel Parkinson.
The brand has also been noted particularly during 2009 as a firm hit with a number of celebrities having been spotted on A Listers including Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, The Prodigy, Motorhead, The Offspring, Kanye West and Heidi Klum who love the eclectic and unique style that the brand has to offer.
In terms of function, Von Zipper goggles will ensure that you are safe on the slopes and that your eyes and face are fully protected. The brand is notorious for manufacturing its products using only the highest quality materials and most innovative of technologies. With functional features including air circulation between the goggle and the face, forward venting, anti fog lens coating and full 100 percent UV protection, there is an incredibly wide variety of styles and sizes with an array of vibrant colours and patterns. Always at the forefront of technology, there is even a style of Von Zipper goggles – the SkullCandy Replicator which incorporates a removable set of 
headphones. With a funky black and white web style pattern, these are a fierce looking pair of goggles that will definitely look amazing up on the slopes!
Some of the smaller Von Zipper goggles such as the Sizzle style are designed for smaller faces and are also incredibly budget friendly at £38.25.
Von Zipper is regarded as an extremely cool and respected brand as aside from its collections, it also sponsors, hosts or makes appearances at cool sporting events such as the recent Eddie Aikau big wave surf contest which took place earlier this month and was also won by Von Zipper supercharger Greg Long. The brand’s products have become renowned in the extreme sports industry and worn by a number of athletes who require the best in order to maximise their performance. In terms of style, Von Zipper has also become prominent in the fashion and celebrity world and is definitely the brand to be wearing in 2010 whether this be on or off the slopes!
Ed Hardy Arrives in London!
Nothing quite makes a style statement like Ed Hardy! The designer label from the United States was founded in 2004 by French designer Christian Audigier, who previously worked for Von Dutch. Ed Hardy is a huge hit among the folks in LA and is based on the designs of tattoo guru Don Ed Hardy. Audigier managed to obtain the rights to use the designs of Ed Hardy and incorporate them into the products alongside his own unique and creative style. The range which comprises of clothing – mainly t-shirts and accessories including the collection of Ed Hardy watches; combines vintage tattoo art, urban styling and dramatic aesthetics and ultimately the lifestyle brand includes seriously bling and eye-catching pieces.
With the creative eye of Christian Audigier and A-list fans including Madonna, Kanye West, Britney Spears and Heidi Klum, the brand has very quickly taken the world by storm. Earlier this month, the UK was very pleased to celebrate the launch of the very first Ed Hardy store located in the Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush.
Although Ed Hardy is 
a brand that is most renowned for its collection of t-shirts and tanks, the range of Ed Hardy watches have become an incredibly popular choice of accessory during 2009 and are all sure statement pieces with their incredibly detailed designs, vibrant colours and bling appeal!
The watch collection features designs created specifically for men and women and despite the initial thought of urban appeal and vintage tattoo art perhaps portraying quite a masculine orientated style, the watches for ladies are incredibly feminine with artwork including flowers, butterflies, mystical characters and fairies to name only a few. With beautiful colours such as pink, gold, cream, and white incorporated into many of the watches, these look incredibly striking on the wrist and combine just the right level of femininity with a funky edge to make the watches that little bit different. The ladies watches also tend to use colour and style contrasts such as a feminine designed dial with a chunky grey strap which creates a trendy dynamic. Some of the watches for men and women feature the very much on trend cuff style straps, some with added stud detailing whereas others have simple leather or stainless steel straps. A selection of the straps also incorporate the inclusion of tattoo art in addition to the dial and some also feature the use of diamante stones for that extra hint of bling!
What is amazing about Ed Hardy watches is the fine attention to detail within the artwork. With an incredible use of vibrant colours that are subtly placed together to create an image that is absolutely stunning, you can’t help but be impressed by the fine craftsmanship and the intense level of skill that is invested into the tattoo picture which also include lio
ns, eagles, skulls and leopards.
Ed Hardy is a huge hit in America and is very much a core brand seen out and about in LA. With the opening of the new store in London, in 2010 it definitely looks as though we will be seeing a great deal more of this striking brand on the fashion forward streets of the UK!
The Carrera Comeback. Carrera Sunglasses.
The Carrera sunglasses brand is an example of a perfect collaboration between sport and style and is highly inspired the annual car race Carrera Panamericana that stretches across Mexico. As a brand Carrera aims to tell a story and the typical wearer is said to be adventurous, spontaneous and enthusiastic.
Indeed, originally intended for a specific sports purpose, Carrera sunglasses have transcended themselves into the fashion world and are regularly spotted adorning the faces of Hollywood’s biggest names in addition to the world’s finest athletes. The style is retro with a modern edge and the Carerra Champion Shades, for example, in white and red in one sense look incredibly chic a la aviator style but the
colouring and distinct design of the frames definitely injects a cool sporty edge. Rapper T.I. made a huge impact when he donned a pair of Carrera Champion sunglasses in white at the recent MTV Video Music Awards, while Kanye West also allegedly paid $15,000 to get the latest Carrera collection before it went on sale in the United States.
Carerra shades were hugely popular in the 80’s and as 2009 is all about reviving old trends, particularly the 1980’s, this brand are racing their way to the forefront of the fashion industry. It was for this reason that Carrera decided to release their popular plastic-framed aviators in a variety of different colours. The retro frames are available in combination colours of white, blue, black,yellow, turquoise, white, and red, all with the trademark gradient lens. 
The recent Carerra launch party held in New York was a huge success and saw stars such as Agyness Deyn, Richie Rich, Tyson Beckford, Daisy Lowe and Patricia Field. All the cool kids are rocking Carerra shades this season and when function and fashion come this good, it would be a shame not to jump on the bandwagon!
Trend report 2009 and a colourful eye over 2008
Those fickle fashion designers and trend setters that dictate our yearly flings and love affairs with countless styles of sunglasses are to blame. We enter a new year and our much prized glasses from the previous season are cast aside, just as in years gone by, as we clamour to see what we should be buying in 2009 to keep up with the fashion crowd and stay one step ahead of the girl next door.
2008 was a colourful year for sunglasses, quite literally. British style was optimised by Lily Allen and her plethora of rainbow hued shades, just as Paris Hilton paved the way for our compatriots in the USA with enormous white rimmed sunnies. It was a year of kiddie style, joke glasses, that when worn amongst other trend followers seemed acceptable, yet worn in the wrong situation or within an ill-informed crowd, elicited sniggers and strange glances. These sunglasses were accepted, expected and rife throughout the long summer of festivals and frivolity, but like all fun trends were forgotten by the end of the year.
In the same year Ray Ban’s Wayfarers showed no sign of lagging as the Eighties trend held strong. Similarly Oakley’s limited release of their iconic frogskins filled a gap in the market and were embraced by celebrities and fashion followers alike. And who can forget Kanye West’s ’shutter shades’, which spawned a host of copycat disciples and ran away with the prize for the most ridiculous glasses of the year, despite a strong field of contenders.
2009 looks set to become a vintage year. Along with the re-emergence of bygone styles, those in the know are cautioning you to hold on to your ray bans and aviators as these classic styles are set to continue their steady growth. The big news though is ’round’ mod-like sunglasses. Yes you heard me correctly and no, this time we’re not channelling John Lennon. Think Jackie O and Audrey but smaller. These beauties were crawling all over the Spring/Summer 09 runways, leading the way were big hitters Ralph Lauren and Lanvin. Of course the celeb’s are hot on the designer’s heels and both Mary-Kate Olsen and Lily Allen have both been papped wearing them. Another surprising trend is classic horn-rimmed styles, which Chanel were sporting in their new season’s collection. Colour wise it’s all about tortoiseshell this season, which is a welcome change to those who felt left out in the cold by last years crayola colour shades.
And there you have it. Your definitive guide to this years coolest sunglasses. It’s a bit of an odd-ball mix and there’s some howlers in there, but wouldn’t fashion be dull if we didn’t shake it up a bit and look silly occasionally?!
An Oakley’s Original
Bag yourself a brand new piece of history. It might sound like a contradiction in terms to you, but we couldn’t be more serious. That’s because Oakley have only gone and resurrected their iconic Frogskin shades- the very things that put them firmly on the fashion map over twenty years ago.
Giving everyone who owned a pair in the eighties a healthy slice of street-cred, Frogskins’s come under the same category as Rayban Wayfarer’s and are back to boost the retro rankings of those who missed out on the trend first time round! A firm favourite with celebrities like John Mayer, Joel Madden, Kanye West, Rihanna and Scarlett Johansson, it’s not just their ‘too cool for school’ credentials that make them so covetable – the fact that they’re limited edition certainly packs a punch too. Since being re-launched earlier this year, only 3000 of these sunnies have been produced, propelling them straight to the top of every fashionista’s wish-list. Originally available in over 50 colours, the new breed of frogskins’ have been made in limited colour batches with a new colourway introduced each month. Already released this year, styles have boasted fluro-yellow frames paired with ‘fire’ lenses, glow-in-the-dark frames with bronze lenses, white frames with violet lenses and dalmation frames with a grey lense tint for the more audacious.
Oakley have also recruited skateboarder Greg Lutzka to create a signature frame for the range, alongside Andrew Petterson who has created 50 hand-painted Frogskins as an extension of Oakley’s Artist Series program, expected to roll-out in October.
Another reason these sunglasses get the big thumbs up, is not only do they look the same as back in the day, they’ve been made in the same way too, and by re-tooling their manufacturing methods and equipment, Oakley have created an identical frame and lens combo as the original. And regardless of the fun factor the shades have, they even feature the patented Plutinite lenses that block out 100% UVA, UVB and UVC spectrum so your iris’s stay safe as well as stylish. Plus, if you see eye-to-eye with your partner (literally), when it comes to your signature style, you’ll be pleased to hear these amphibious pieces of eye-art are unisex, so you’ve got double the chance of getting your hands on a pair – grab it while you can.