Emporio Armani is 30 years old this Autumn and to celebrate their milestone the Italian brand has launched an exclusive collection of colourful transparent sunglasses. Their birthday collection comprises of 2 striking designs, one for each sex. For the men – a sporty oversized retro style and for women a cool pair of bold oversized round lenses. Both styles are available in a spectrum of glorious colours and all pairs sport the chic ‘30 Emporio Armani’ logo.

As part of a global campaign to honour their anniversary the first 1030 customers of these unique Emporio Armani sunglasses will have the opportunity to customise their special shades as they desire! Armani are then encouraging the owners to post pictures of their bespoke designer sunglasses to the Emporio Armani website, and all the images will become part of a memorable piece of art designed by the contemporary British artist, Pam Glew.

Emporio Armani is the younger, ‘ready-to-wear’ collection from Armani and was launched in 1981. 30 years on the brand is going from strength to strength and recent celebrity endorsers of the hip label include; Christiano Ronaldo, Megan Fox and Rhianna. Celebrations for Emporio Armani took place around the world in October 2011 and Fashion Week was no exception! The US edition of ELLE magazine even featured a whole editorial piece among it’s glossy pages to the Italian label.

The ‘30 Emporio Armani’ capsule sunglasses collection is the perfect opportunity to show your support for the dreamy design house and will ensure you own a unique piece of brand memorabilia, not to mention a fab pair of colour popping sunnies! You can purchase your special Emporio Armani sunglasses right here at Shade Station!

Johnny Marr, legendary guitarist for The Smiths and serial musical collaborator, has teamed up with Ray Ban Sunglasses this Autumn to design an original pair of Ray Ban Signet shades. The collaboration between musician and brand is a match made in heaven. Throughout the ages musicians and rock stars have favoured Ray Ban Sunglasses both on and off stage and Marr himself, is one such rock star. In fact his manager recalls when he first met Marr as a 17 year old, he was sporting Ray Bans!

As a member of one of the Eighties’ most prolific bands, Marr is often cited as a major influence by some of the biggest names in music today. He has performed with The Cribs, Girls Aloud, Modest Mouse and The Pet Shop Boys and even worked on the score for Christopher Nolan’s 2010 film Inception.

He is the first ever musician chosen by Ray Ban to re-work their shades and opted to re-design the Ray Ban Signet style, for their historical link with rock n roll… Ray Ban Signet Sunglasses have a slight air of the classic Clubmaster about them, however the metal frame surrounds the lenses and also sport a double brow bar, as well as metallic corner flicks! Johnny Marr’s stamped his creative flair on the iconic Signet’s by giving the lenses a moody blue tint, adding unusual metals to the frames and scrawling his signature ‘Johnny’ on the temples.

The launch of his bespoke Ray Ban sunglasses was coupled with the first Ray Ban Raw Sounds Initiative, which saw Marr performing with up and coming young artists, among them Tom Vek and Au Revoir Simone, in New York last week.

Ray Ban Sunglasses, is always at the forefront with cool looking shades to take the edge off the Autumn blues… and Shade Station has five new styles on offer this season;

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB8310

The Matrix Shades

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB8310

Coming soon to our shop pages are these rimless, sleek carbon fibre frames with a double bridge separating the lenses. You can choose your favourite from a large range of lenses, whether you prefer brown, green, graduated or mirrored, these stylish sunglasses will set many men’s pulses racing…

The Diva Shades

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB4174

These sunglasses are Ray Ban’s nod to the high-fashion, designer sunglasses often seen on the catwalk. With large, thick, rectangular acetate frames, sporting a slight cat’s eye shape, this style is a more glam offering than the usual sporty, hip styles Ray Ban are famed for producing. The RB4174 comes in tortoiseshell and black.

The Hipster Shades

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB4170

This retro style is very hip. The lenses are slightly oversized and the acetate frame across the top is sutlbly curved. Available in brown, black, grey and tortoiseshell, these Ray Ban sunglasses are sizzling hot for Autumn 2011.

The Sexy Wayfarer Shades

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB4169

Modelled on the classic Wayfarer shape, this newly released Ray Ban style, adopts a more feline approach. The top frame is rather more curved and dips in the middle at the bridge, and the corners are slightly thicker than the Wayfarer, but they still sport the metal accents. Available in classic black and striped havana brown, with funky blue arms on the inside, this style is a feminine alternative to it’s famous counterpart.

The Hybrid Shades

Ray Ban Sunglasses RB4168

This design is rather like a mix of two iconic Ray Ban styles – the Wayfarer and the Clubmaster. The acetate top frame follows a very similar line to the Clubmaster, dipping prominently in the middle, whereas the overall feel is like a slightly bigger Wayfarer style, but with fatter lenses. The RB4168 has a faint literary air about it, particularly the light brown tortoiseshell design!

The Oakley Blender Sunglasses

We recently told you about some of the fabulous new Oakley sunglasses launching for women and now it’s time to introduce you to 3 of the new designs for men that are due to hit our shelves in October.

First up we have the Oakley Blender sunglasses. If you are a fan of the sleek Oakley style, then the Blender sunglasses will definitely appeal! The frame is made of the lightweight but strong C-5 alloy material and also features O Matter ear stems for optimised comfort and a secure fit. The Plutonite lenses provide full UV protection and the Blender sunglasses are built with a wrapped frame for maximum peripheral vision.

If vibrant, bold and statement sunglasses are your thing, the Oakley Dispatch 2 sunglasses will perfectly fit the bill. The fashionable and sporty oversized frame is made of the lightweight and durable O Matter material and comes in an array of striking colourways. The Dispatch 2 sunglasses also come with adjustable metal Oakley icons enabling you to change the look and style of the sunglasses and the frame is constructed using the Oakley Three-Point Fit, which positions the Plutonite lenses in the perfect place for optimum comfort and vision.

Last but by no means least we have the Oakley Jupiter Squared sunglasses. Part of the lifestyle collection, the Jupiter Squared design is ultra cool and oozes the Oakley attitude! The frame is made of the Oakley O Matter material and the style also features Unobtanium ear stems for a comfortable and secure fit. The lenses are made of Plutonite and some Jupiter Squared styles also come with an iridium lens coating to further reduce glare.

All of these Oakley sunglasses are due to arrive in October so we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as they do!

The Oakley Confront Sunglasses - One of the Fierce New Oakley Styles!

Oakley Sunglasses is constantly ahead of the game when it comes to launching new sunglasses and there are some incredible designs for ladies that are ready to hit the shelves this autumn. Perfectly fusing flawless aesthetics with superior function and performance capabilities, here is a rundown of the new styles that will soon be available here at Shade Station-:

Oakley Obligation sunglasses-:

An ultra chic and fashion forward oversized style for women, the Obligation sunglasses feature the benefits of Plutonite lenses, the Oakley Three-Point Fit and optimised peripheral vision. Some Obligation sunglasses also come with Polarised lenses.

Oakley Ideal sunglasses-:

A fierce style for women and within the Active collection, the Ideal Oakley sunglasses feature a durable yet flexible O Matter frame and are designed with a wrapped fit, therefore maximising peripheral vision and protection. The lenses are made of Plutonite and some Ideal styles also come equipped with Polarised lenses.

Oakley Drizzle sunglasses-:

A sophisticated and elegant pair of Oakley sunglasses for women, the oversized Drizzle design is the ultimate when it comes to style and function. The Plutonite lenses filter out 100% of UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm and the style is also designed with the Oakley Three-Point Fit to ensure a comfortable and perfect fit upon the face.

Oakley Confront sunglasses-:

Trendy, sporty and versatile, the Oakley Confront sunglasses for ladies are the ultimate when it comes to expressing the fierce Oakley attitude! These sunglasses typically incorporate bold pops of colour along the top frame sections and arms and feature Plutonite lenses, a lightweight and durable acetate frame and Unobtanium ear pads for a secure and comfortable fit.

Oakley Pampered sunglasses-:

Modern, trendy and ultra sleek, the Pampered Oakley sunglasses will instantly add a sharp finish to your look. These sunglasses feature a lightweight O Matter frame and are designed with the Oakley Three-Point Fit structure. The Pampered sunglasses feature Plutonite lenses with some versions also boasting Polarised lenses.

The new Oakley sunglasses above are a great balance of fashion forward with functional and are top of the game when it comes to performance. We’ll be sure to let you know when they arrive!

We were sad to learn of Amy Winehouse’s tragic death last weekend. She was a great talent and touched many people with her soulful, beautiful music. Although she’ll be remembered for her heaving drinking and substance abuse, she leaves behind a legacy of wonderful records. Amy was in the middle of recording her third album and if we’re to believe the press, these songs could be released posthumously, towards the end of the year. As well as her music, Amy Winehouse was well known for her individual style. With her numerous tattoos, bee hive hair and rockabilly style of dressing, Amy made brave fashion choices which added to her enormous appeal.

As a little tribute to the magnificent Miss Winehouse, we’ve compiled a few images of Amy rocking various pairs of sunglasses, as only she could!

Amy was a fan of colourful fashion and these red Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses were no exception. With her usual aplomb, Amy wore her Wayfarers with sass and attitude.

Kitsch and cool, Amy wore these pink heart shaped sunglasses regularly and they suited her original, playful style down to the ground!

These sunglasses are pretty tame for Amy. Similar to the classic Aviator sunglasses style, with slightly squarer lenses, nonetheless she managed to pull them off!

Poking fun at herself, in a magazine shoot Amy wore these quirky pink framed sunglasses, lending her a cartoonish quality.

RIP Amy Winehouse

Wimbledon is upon us once again and as always the nation has it’s hopes pinned on Murray to lift the cup. The championships kick off on Monday 20th June and Andy Murray is entering the tournament as one of the favourites having beaten the No 19 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win Queens a few weeks ago. As a lawn tennis tournament, Queens is often thought to be a good barometer of who’s fit and able to reach the final rounds of Wimbledon, so we Brits have a lot to be hopeful about this year!

The end of last week saw the official draw and Murray has been placed in the same half as Rafael Nadel and starts his assault on the Championship against Seed no 56, Daniel Gimeno-Traver. The big news however is the random selection of John Isner against Nicolas Mahut in the first round again. Tennis fans will recall the duo playing in 2010’s record-breaking first round match, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes!

The weather forecast is looking rather drab for the first week, however reports are for fine weather over the first weekend and into the second week. Hopefully the sun will linger for the tournament, for this is when Wimbledon really comes into it’s own. Nothing sums up true Britishness quite like a spot of lawn tennis, a jug of Pimms and a punnet of strawberries and cream. This is what Wimbledon is really about – being British.

In the celebration of all things British it seems fitting that this should extend to sunglasses too. Sunglasses are a must at the Championship, whether it’s for sun protection, to conceal a hangover or to avoid being caught staring at celebrities, every Wimbledon-goer must be armed with sunnies. And why not a British designer? Shade Station have wonderful sunglasses from some of the British greats, including the late Alexander McQueen and Burberry. Both Alexander McQueen sunglasses and Burberry sunglasses are fashionably oversized and perfect for surreptitious celeb gazing. The lenses are also fitted with the best in UV protection and offer brilliant clarity so you can avoid squinting whilst watching the tennis unfold. Fingers crossed for sunshine everyone!

Hopefully in a fortnight we’ll be celebrating Andy Murray winning the championship, which will be the icing on the cake of our great British celebration!

With Glastonbury, only a few days away, we thought we’d compile a list of the top 10 most fashionable festival sunglasses for Summer 2011. So, in no particular order here we go;

Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses

Ray Ban Wayfarers have clearly stamped their mark on the festival scene over the years. The late Noughties saw a massive surge in popularity for the classic Wayfarer and the style continues to be hugely popular today. Ray Ban Wayfarers are sturdy, with great UV protection and available in every color under the sun. Colourful frames have been on the rise for a few years and Ray Ban have a whole rainbow to choose from, in addition their Rare Prints collection lends itself perfectly to partying. A staple accessory for rock stars and cool kids, Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses are one of the ultimate festival accessories – just ask Kate Moss!

Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Another classic style from Ray Ban that is always popular at festivals. Ray Ban Aviators literally suit everyone and complement any outfit. There are too many celebrity fans to mention, however Kate Bosworth is one lady who is very loyal to her Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses and wore them consistently throughout this years Coachella Festival in California.

Ray Ban RB3447 Sunglasses

From classic to a fickle fashion favourite… this Ray Ban RB3447 style boasts small round lenses with a wire nose bridge that have been reworked for a more contemporary look. This design was popularised by John Lennon in the Seventies, then by Liam Gallagher in the Nineties and has now been adopted by the high fashion crowd. The Olsen sisters are known to be big fans of the style and these frames are a hot look for Summer 2011.

Tom Ford Carter Sunglasses

Drawing inspiration from the Lennon’s rounded lenses, Tom Ford has designed these very fashionable, bold sunglasses with round lenses and plastic frames. Popular with the likes of Fern Cotton, Radio 1s go-to-girl for festivals, these Tom Ford Carter sunglasses steal the style of the moment award.

Prada PR28NS Baroque Sunglasses

Anything goes at festivals and we love this new style from Prada. It’s a bit whacky and requires a confident wearer, but in the spirit of fun and frivolity these Prada PR28NS Baroque sunnies are perfect. There are 2 Baroque styles, one slightly more ‘arty’ than the other, but just like their hugely popular Butterfly style, we predict big things for these bold and beautiful Prada sunglasses!

Alexander McQueen AMQ4179 Sunglasses

These oversized aviator sunglasses with plastic frames scream seventies sporty retro and are great for festivals. With animal print so en vogue at the moment, it’s the perfect time to wear tortoiseshell and this retro style combined with the cool print, make these babies a winner!

Carrera Champion Sunglasses

Another designer, another sporty vintage style. In a similar vein to the Alexander McQueen sunglasses, the Carrera Champion shades boast oversized aviator style lenses and bold plastic frames. What makes these special though, is the colourful transparent frames – in fruity pink, red and orange – colour is king when it comes to partying at festivals….

BVLGARI BV8069B Sunglasses

These beautiful sunglasses are strictly for festival glamor pusses. The black oversized frames and gorgeous red and green jewelled hinges make this BVLGARI style perfect for soaking up the sun, dressed in a floaty sundress or flirty playsuit.

Chanel CH5169 Sunglasses

Another pair of chic sunglasses in a very fashionable style. These lovely Chanel sunglasses are slightly elongated at the corners to resemble an oversized feline shape. Available in red and brown, we like the black for maximum impact!

Dolce & Gabbana DD8083 Sunglasses

These beauties will guarantee a Fifties retro look. A feline shaped frame is hugely fashionable this summer – style with a vintage outfit a la Dita Von Teese to channel the movie stars of yesteryear.

Gucci Kids Sunglasses

If your little darlings are jealous of mummy’s designer sunglasses then worry not – they too can be kitted out with the very best in designer shades, courtesy of Gucci.

The Gucci sunglasses range include Gucci Kids sunglasses, which are the perfect blend of chic, cool and uv protection. We’re constantly warned against the dangers of the sun and it’s harmful uv rays and whilst we adults are still tempted to misbehave in the sun (read, fail to apply lotion and buy cheap sunglasses with naff lenses) it’s important to ensure adolescents are educated and protected from any sun damage at a young age.

As one may expect from the calibre of the stars behind the Gucci Kids advertising campaign, Jennifer Lopez and her 2 year old twins Max and Emme, the sunglasses range is fittingly, uber stylish. Following the season’s trend for sporty styles and circular lenses, the Gucci Kids sunglasses collection packs a punch when it comes to summer fashion. Durable is the name of the game here and every style is constructed from acetate material and comes with a one year guarantee. In addition the lenses are UV protected, ensuring your child’s eyes are fully safeguarded from the sun.

There are two designs to choose from. One is a slightly oversized modern take on the aviator, with frames in different colours and the option of graduated lenses, and the other style is a very hip, very fashionable pair of perfectly round frames in white or black.  Gucci Kids sunglasses retail at a surprisingly good price and can be purchased even cheaper at Shade Station, where prices have been slashed this Spring. Whilst it may be tempting to spend less on kids accessories, the importance of sun protection cannot be over-stressed and if you can afford to buy them, Gucci Kids sunglasses offer unbeatable uv protection as well as super star style.

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

The brand Ray Ban was created by Bausch & Lomb to supply high quality sunglasses to US pilots in the 1930s. The initial Ray Ban Aviator design was based on a oblique teardrop shape, and over the past 75 years Aviator sunglasses have become a true design classic.

The early Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses offered wearers the first anti-glare lenses, filtering out infrared and ultraviolet rays. Combined with lightweight frames and an ergonomic fit for comfort, Ray Ban found they had an instant hit on their hands. The Aviator style became synonymous with pilots and then the military, when General Douglas McArthur was photographed wearing them during the Second World War and subsequently pictures were splashed across the world’s media. Whilst the Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses were clearly sharp and lent the wearer a distinct air of cool, they were also the finest quality sunglasses of the time and offered ultimate UV protection.

From their early link with the US military, Ray Ban’s Aviator sunglasses found another Service connection, on the silver screen in 1986, courtesy of a squadron of handsome navy chaps.

Maverick and Ice Man. Need anymore be said?

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer immortalised Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses in everyone’s favourite Eighties classic, Top Gun. Whether he was racing his fighter jet, riding his motorcycle or bedding Kelly McGillis, Tom Cruise’s Ray Ban Aviators were ever present. So much so, that sales of Ray Ban’s Aviator sunglasses rose 40% that year!

Since Top Gun put Aviators on the movie map, dozens of other films followed suit. Memorable placements include Cobra, To Live and Die in LA and Michael Jackson’s This is It. Michael Jackson was a huge fan of Ray Ban Aviators, particularly their mirrored Aviator sunglasses, which he wore constantly in public and in many of his music videos.

Aside from movies Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses are popular with a host of celebrities and the general public. The style flatters every face shape, the lenses are so dazzlingly clear and the frames so neat and light that it’s very hard not to love the Aviator. Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses have earned their cult status and then some!