Ray-Ban Wayfarers - The Choice of the Style Icons

Despite being founded back in 1937, the Ray-Ban brand today in 2010 is stronger than ever! Every year Ray-Ban usually reveals a new and exciting style or a revamped version of an iconic style, so we are always waiting in anticipation to see what’s coming next!

Last year when retro style was a huge key trend, the old-school colour inspired Ray-Ban Clubmasters were one of the hottest designs to be seen wearing. Still a favourite that has continued through to summer 2010, the Clubmaster is an incredibly popular style and we predict that the forthcoming music festivals will definitely see the colourful and classic Clubmasters once again, in all their glory!

There is also a Ray-Ban design that all the style icons, celebrities and anyone who knows a thing or two about fashion are constantly seen wearing – the Ray-Ban Wayfarer. Kate Moss, Nicole Ritchie, Lauren Conrad, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have all been seen sporting their classic and colourful Wayfarers (with Robert wearing them on-screen in Twilight as well as off-screen!) and the design just seems to flatter every face shape, providing your finished look with that sense of star quality.

It’s probably fair to say that the Ray-Ban Wayfarer has become a defining fashion item of this era and is likely a staple in many of our wardrobes or at least one that is high up on our wish list! The flattering shape that looks great on men and women is synonymous with only the coolest movers and shakers in the fashion and celebrity industry, yet also looks effortlessly stylish on us ‘normal’ folk who love the opportunity to get a piece of what our face celeb is wearing – and be able to wear it according to our own style and still look great. Ray-Ban sunglasses are accessible to everyone yet still possess sought after status due to the brand’s significant history and the superior quality of each pair, meaning that you really do get more than what you pay for.

Colour and the concept of mixing patterns and prints is a huge look for summer 2010 in clothing and accessories, therefore the Wayfarer has adapted accordingly to suit this trend. The acetate, slightly masculine and bold shape remains exactly the same but vibrant colours and patterns on the main frame and/or the frame interior have being added with the result being a contemporary, fresh and trendy collection with that flawless classic edge that has highly contributed to the overall success of Ray-Ban. From desert camouflage Wayfarers to pastel multi coloured crystal Wayfarers and even bright sunshine yellow Wayfarers, make sure you check out the latest collection to see which creative design catches your eye – each and every pair will make you look instantly stylish in an effortlessly ‘thrown together’ way, and the use of colour and pattern in the new Wayfarers is a great way of adding some vibrancy to your summer style!

LTD Watches - A Hot Favourite!

On Saturday, despite the raging sunshine, fashion prevailed and we took the opportunity to head out to Earl’s Court in London to the Clothes Show event which saw a number of designer brands and boutiques on show in addition to designers and stylists providing their fashion pearls of wisdom.

The event also involved a Fashion Show in the main theatre which used the theme of fashion inspired by countries including France, Italy, USA and England and presented this with a fusion of music, a dance troupe and models which really made it more of an all-round performance as opposed to just a catwalk show. The show was full of energy, fantastic choreography and amazing outfits – all accessorised of course with sunglasses, watches and jewellery in some of the hot styles of the moment!

We were very pleased to see an array of our brands exhibiting their products including Ray-Ban, Zodiac, Fossil, Diesel, Superdry, Adidas, Guess and LTD Watches. The Ray-Ban Wayfarers were definitely a hit with the eager style spotters – particularly the new and revamped colourful versions. Guess watches and Guess jewellery were also proving incredibly popular. The watch look that all the fashionistas are sporting this season are white or light toned chunky watches – polycarbonate bracelet straps are a key look and especially with glitzy diamante embellishments to add that bit of sparkle to a casual yet statement watch! Check out this Guess Prism watch which is the perfect choice to capture the desired look!

I could hardly get a glimpse at the LTD Watch stand which is testament to how popular these strictly limited watches are. LTD Watches are highly trend inspired and the particular model that definitely seems to be a must-have this summer is the Maximo LTD Watch; available in a variety of vibrant colours and boasting a sleek yet chunky aesthetic. The Maximo watches were selling fast so make sure you check out the range here and get yours before they all go!

So, that is the rundown of some of the key looks and styles that were prominent at the Clothes Show London event which also clearly demonstrated that accessories in general are a major look of summer 2010. All of the brands mentioned above are available here at Shade Station so make sure you take a look to see what ultra fashionable designs we have, and make this summer your most stylish one yet!

Summer is officially here, the sun is shining and we couldn’t be happier! With the warmer months comes the usual smorgasbord of amazing festivals to get your hedonistic thrills at. Whether you enjoy moshing at ‘Download’, country pursuits at ‘The Green Man’, teenage kicks at ‘V Festival’, fancy dress at ‘Bestival’, glamour at newbie ‘Vintage at Goodwood’ or the mystic of ‘Glastonbury’, you must ensure you’re dressed for the occasion.

Festivals, fashionable summer gear and cool sunglasses all go hand in hand. Maybe it’s the influence of Gaga or perhaps Dita Von Teese, but this summer is all about kooky and vintage. With styles from the Fifties and Sixties making a comeback, we predict this year’s festivals to be awash with vintage shaped sunglasses in a cat’s eye style or small round frames, oversized sunglasses in reds, greens and brown and retro-looking shades.

The festival season kicked off with April’s Coachella Festival in California, where a host of celebrities dazzled with their fashionable threads and on-trend sunglasses. Kelly Osborne was spotted wearing small round framed lilac sunglasses, Katy Perry went retro in angular black frames with a bold white stripe across the top, Dita Von Teese personified Fifties elegance in oversized brown sunglasses with graduated lenses and Kate Bosworth dressed to impress in classic Ray Ban Aviators.

Aviators and Wayfarers from Ray Ban transcend fashion and will always be popular and current. For classic sunglasses you can’t go wrong with either of these styles for festival frolicking. The same goes for oversized glam shades. Designers like Gucci, Bvlgari, Versace, D&G, MDG Sunglasses, Chanel and Pucci all have great sunglasses for summer goddess style. On the other hand if you’re a seasonal type of girl with a desire to look fabulous and ‘now’ – take a leaf from Kelly O’s book and opt for small round shades. This style was all over the spring / summer catwalks and looks great in pastel coloured frames teamed with a floral frock or playsuit. Or you may want to play the vintage diva with cats eye shaped sunglasses – again a strong trend on the catwalk this year. Look to brands like Prada and Marc Jacobs to achieve this look.

We’ve got our Big Chill tickets and our festival sunnies sorted. Now it’s just a case of praying for sunshine! Here’s hoping….

Kate Bosworth Rocks her Ray-Ban Aviators in New York

When it comes to sunglasses, we all know that one of the top names around is Ray-Ban. When it comes to throwing a party that attracts all manner of celebrities and style icons it seems that Ray-Ban doesn’t do a bad job of this either!

Yes, last week in London town at the renowned Scala venue, celebrities including Miquita Oliver, Mathew Horne, Little Boots (Victoria Hesketh) and Peaches Geldof among a number of fashion bloggers and industry members were in full attendance to celebrate the re-launch of the Ray-Ban Classic Aviators. The party also saw The Big Pink and New York Dolls provide musical entertainment.

Ray-Ban certainly do like a party and therefore it seemed only fit to also hold one across the pond the week previous in New York, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Agyness Deyn, Kate Bosworth, Kellie Osbourne and Juliette Lewis all showed up to celebrate the re-launch of the Ray-Ban Classic Aviators and the guests were also treated to a performance by Iggy Pop which apparently ended with the audience joining the rock star on stage!

Ray-Ban Classic Aviators are timelessly stylish shades that ooze sophistication in that laid back Tom Cruise – ‘Top Gun’ kind of way (drool!). Looking equally fab on guys and girls, Ray-Ban Aviators are one of those styles that suit and flatter all face shapes and can effortlessly be added to your ensemble regardless of whether your outfit is casual, smart or sporty. If you are looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses that you can wear year after year, look consistently on–trend and provide the ultimate in eye protection, Ray-Ban Classic Aviators are definitely the way to go and are the perfect investment sunglasses.

It seemed that the celeb folks at the two Ray-Ban parties definitely agreed by the number of them wearing their aviators indoors! Any excuse!

Ray-Ban Wayfarers - Gordon Brown

What with the imminent election on the horizon, the actions of the party leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are in close observation.

However, aside from the various manifestos proposed by the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party leaders, in eager attempt to win our votes on the 6th May, we have been taking a close look at their choice of style to see what this perhaps reveals?

The sun has been shining and what a great excuse this has been for the Brown, Cameron and Clegg to rock their shades. So, let’s take a close look at what sunglasses they are wearing in today’s sunshine ahead of tomorrow’s Second Party Leaders’ debate in Bristol.

Gordon Brown – the Labour leader and current Prime Minister is totally working his Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Not notoriously a man who is renowned for his dynamic and cutting edge sense of style, has Gordon upped his style game and wearing his Wayfarers because he has done his research and knows they are uber on trend? Unfortunately not. He just hasn’t got rid of them from the last time.

Conservative leader David Cameron (or Dave to his friends) is a little bit more suave in the style stakes and when he is seen out and about, mingling with the public or chillaxing with his mates, he will be seen in a super stylish pair of  Ray-Ban Aviators. We all know that he is also a bit of an action man and so whilst up and down the UK clocking up the mileage on his mountain bike, he knows that Oakley Radar sunglasses are the only choice to protect his peepers on the go.

The Liberal Democrat leader and the nation’s lovable son-in-law Nick Clegg is a little more experimental with his look and likes to be cutting edge and is of course, aware how on trend bold colour is for summer 2010. Therefore Clegg will be working a pair of orange Carrera Sunglasses perfectly capturing that sporty chic vibe.

All the party leaders will be rocking their shades in today’s sunshine as they prepare for the Second Party Leaders’ debate in Bristol, but whose sunglass style are you most impressed with??

Ray Ban Sunglasses

Ray-Ban sunglasses are always a sure hit when you’re deliberating a new brand to try out. Representing an iconic history as well as high style credibility and a favourite with the style stars, there is a huge variety of Ray-Ban styles that suit most face shapes and have everything from trend inspired to classic.

Colour is a key trend moving into summer in both your clothing and accessories and Ray-Ban sunglasses are certainly a huge fan of injecting vibrant colours into some of their classic styles. With the UK music festivals only a few months ahead, Ray-Ban sunglasses are one of the main types of shades you will spot among the crowds and worn by the bands and celebs themselves; particularly the Wayfarer which is still as popular as ever before and comes in an array of cool colours, patterns and even varying colours on the frames, arms and interior of the sunglasses to jazz things up a little further! The brand new Wayfarer 2’s also have colour defined top frame sections which are contrasted with the lower frame, adding depth to the style.

The Ray-Ban Clubmaster is also still a hot favourite and with added trend inspired colours in the mix including beige, white and vibrant purple, pink, blue and black patterned tones, these are definitely one of the funkiest styles to look out for and tend to suit most face shapes.

Ray-Ban has also taken on a sporty feel for this season. Sporty chic is highly on trend for 2010 and these Ray Ban visor style RB3211’s are the perfect way to work the look. With slim frames in vibrant tones such as gold, silver, pink and blue and cool lens tones, these are ideal for summer and the large visor style lenses and sleek smart arms make the sunglasses fashionably sporty and yet still sophisticated.

The oversized look is still going strong, and Ray-Ban have characteristically put their own stamp on this style with the new CAT sunglasses which are slightly retro inspired with cool and vibrant merging colour tones and light toned lenses which look almost clear in some styles – perfect for that geek chic inspired look! The CAT style also comes in various sizes (if you like your oversized shades a little more undersized!) and colour combinations so be sure to check out the whole range.

Of course, the classic Ray-Ban aviator never ever fails to go out of fashion (as worn by Jennifer Aniston above) and is one of those trusty go-to styles that will always compliment your look, whatever your choice of outfit. There are actually some new Ray-Ban aviators to look out for this season with new lens materials and frame tones but still keeping the style faithful to its classic appeal.

The list goes on. From sporty wraparounds including the RB4108’s to oversized aviators such as the RB3386’s, Ray-Ban has every style imaginable and the choice is so varied that you are sure to find a style to suit your style personality and face shape. Of course, whilst colour is a key theme, Ray-Ban still have all the classic styles in neutral and traditional colours which again, are constantly spotted on the celebs.

The perfect for choice for summer 2010 and beyond!

If you’re Ray Ban you crash into the new decade with a collection of shades that is so unusual and innovative, that everyone is talking about them and lusting after them.

Once again the giant of the sunglasses industry, Ray Ban, has followed the success of their ‘classics’ relaunch with a fresh and interesting collection of sunglasses for 2010.

The classic wayfarer gets a makeover with flowers, stripes and…. a subway map. Hot on the floral trend, Ray Ban’s most famous style gets girly with blooms and pastels. For a more unisex look, striped sunglasses are available, as are a fun style with the New York subway map printed on the interior.

If Ray Ban wayfarers are not for you, perhaps the new ‘Craft Collection’ will appeal. This range is popularised by the wonderful aviator style. The aviator gets an update for 2010 with leather detailing across the brow bar and at the ends of the arms, plus crystal polarised lenses. This style has been named the ‘Outdoorsman’ and the leather touch is both luxurious and original.

With a fresh look for the new year, Ray Ban looks set to make this decade just as successful as the last.

When you think of the word sunglasses, Ray-Ban is the brand which probably springs to mind the quickest. Always at the forefront of style and fashion, Ray-Ban sunglasses actually have one of the most valid and interesting histories of all the designer brands. Indeed, their modern and on trend looks may deceive the fact that they have actually being around since 1936 and the first pair to be launched; the Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are still hot sellers today.

The History-: During the 1940s, Ray-Ban worked closely with the US Air Force to develop the mirror lens which was an anti-glare measure and tested by pilots. Designed for the sole purpose of function, even back then, the sunglasses soon became quite the desired fashion accessory.

In the Movies-: Think back to all the classic films and it is very likely that a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses sneaked their way onto the silver screen. The most prominent film in which Ray-Ban sunglasses were featured is in the Blues Brothers, the actors of which are all pictured in Ray-Bans on posters for the film and in the famous opening sequence. Other films also include Miami Vice, Reservoir Dogs, Men in Black and who can forget Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun!

On the Celebs-: As Ray-Ban sunglasses are always considered fashionable, a whole host of glamorous and fashion forward celebrities are regularly seen wearing them. These include Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss, and Cheryl Cole to name only a few who favour their Ray-Bans for that effortlessly thrown together look. The colourful Ray-Ban Wayfarers have been a huge hit in 2009 and have adorned the faces of many a celebrity in the style pages. The bright and bold colours are the perfect way to jazz up any outfit and the shape of the Wayfarer is actually very flattering for most face shapes.

The New Styles-: Ray-Ban is constantly updating and revamping its most iconic styles as well as launching brand new designs. A few to look out for this season include the new unisex RB2027 frames which with their slick wraparound style that is a little smarter than typical wraparounds are definitely set to be a sure favourite in 2010. This style is available in a selection of various colours and the slick Ray-Ban logo is positioned on the arms. The new RB2140 sunglasses are a further update of the Wayfarer and one particular version is incredibly cool and contemporary with a white acetate frame and a pink floral pattern on the interior of the arms. The new Tech RB8031 Ray-Ban’s are a new aviator style made from unique Ray-Ban Tech carbon fibre arms and polarised silver lenses and are a great example of using the most innovative of production techniques and materials to create an incredibly high quality product.

Ray-Ban is one of those brands that has its own distinctive style and the sunglasses remain classic yet keep up with modern trends by injecting contemporary features such as splashes of colour, vibrant patterns and modern technical additions. They really are one of the best brands to invest in if you are looking for great looks and quality and the various styles, because of their simplicity suit many face shapes and fashion preferences. Definitely a winning brand if you are looking to achieve an effortless and thrown together look with a sense of celebrity-like chic!

There aren’t many sunglass brands that have reached iconic status, yet Ray Ban has undoubtedly achieved this well-earned title. The label has enjoyed extreme highs and lows over the past 70 years and despite the lows, Ray Ban is here to stay. Very few sunglass brands have defined generations and inspired hundreds of similar designs and imitations. Amazingly given their popularity and rich heritage of celebrity endorsement throughout the Fifties, Sixties, Eighties and Noughties, Ray Ban spent long periods of time in the wilderness until their popularity surged once again.

Ray Ban sunglasses have graced movie icons such as James Dean and Audrey Hepburn, Eighties stars John Belushi and Tom Cruise and present day hipsters like Kate Moss and Lily Allen at one time or another. Of course it’s no surprise that the classic ‘Wayfarer’ has been worn more times by celebrity fans than any other model the label have produced. Popularised by films like ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’, ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘Risky Business’ the ‘Wayfarer’ has enjoyed incredible success due to its simple design and sharp look.

The slightly nerdier looking ‘Clubmaster’, worn by Twilight star Robert Pattinson and the very stylish German actress Diane Kruger, has a smaller fan base but is still a classic design and affords the wearer a distinctly hip look.

The ever popular Ray Ban ‘Aviator’ design has been hugely imitated over the years and was Ray Ban’s initial creation back in 1929. Designed with special anti-glare lenses for use by pilots in the US Air force, the ‘Aviator’ model is both practical and effortlessly cool. Perhaps the most versatile of all the Ray Ban designs the ‘Aviator’ style suits men and women of all ages and can be worn both casually or formally.

Ray Ban is not only limited to these 3 styles. The brand have produced an incredible range of sunglasses over the years and you will find many of the styles on these Shade Station pages. Without a doubt Ray Ban has earned it’s icon status and we look forward to many more years of show-stopping Ray Ban designs!

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.