When it comes to style, the past decade has been pretty wild. From reality show favorites, Koons and Westwood, to style influencers, Aoki and Galloway, the world of fashion has seen an incredible diversity in terms of what individuals choose to wear. One of the most prominent trends that has sprung up throughout the past decade, however, is the use of glasses as a fashion accessory. Celebs such as Harry Potter star, Robert Pattinson, have made it a point to sport unusual glasses designs that stand out. Here are some of the most famous celebrity styles of the past decade.
The Crazy Karl Lagerfeld
When it comes to eyewear, fashion designers don’t always make the most practical choices. For instance, take Karl Lagerfeld, the famous designer from Germany. In 2018 he became the first person in 96 years to surpass the 300-year-old company he founded. His style is known for being bizarre and extravagant, which undoubtedly makes for some interesting visuals. In 2014 alone, Karl Lagerfeld’s design house produced 17,995 individually boxed pieces of sunglasses. That’s over 500 standard pairs!
The Quirky Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn, the famous actress from the 1950s and early 1960s, was known for her distinctive fashion choices. One of her more extravagant designs was the funky round sunglasses she wore in Funny Face in 1957. While most people associate those trendy specs with Audrey Hepburn, the actress wore a variety of styles throughout her career. In fact, she even played with different kinds of sunglasses in her films. In 1966, she appeared in a commercial for Gucci, in which she sported an ornamental patterned pair of sunglasses. Those are some pretty legendary fashion choices!
Sunglasses Done Right
It’s pretty remarkable how far sunglasses as a fashion accessory have come in the past decade. Where once they were just a way to protect your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays, today they can be used as a form of art. Certain design houses, such as Oliver Bonas, have taken the artistry of sunglasses and turned it into a form of design. Interestingly enough, many of these brands focus on architecture and urban scenes, which brings me to my next point.
The Architectonic Fashion Style
Most designers, including the aforementioned Karl Lagerfeld, have shifted their focus to urban scenes and have designed pieces that are in some way inspired by buildings. Those who have created this aesthetic, which has been popularized by the likes of Haider Ackermann and Jeeves, certainly do justice to the structures they have used as inspiration. The city is a fascinating subject, and these brands have done wonders in portraying it in a creative way through their sunglasses designs.
The Retro Styles
This brings me to my next point, which is that the past decade has seen a huge surge in the amount of retro styles. In the 2000s, people started to go for styles that they considered fashionable in the ’80s and ’90s, such as quilted sports jackets, capris, and oversized T-shirts. Those looking for a vintage vibe can find plenty of options, whether they want to go for a specific era from the ’70s or ’80s, or they just want to experience a piece of that fashion nostalgia.
The Popularity Of White
It’s pretty safe to say that the past decade has seen a shift in the way people want to wear their glasses. While in the past, people mostly wore black, gray, or brown frames, nowadays white is definitely the popular choice. One of the most in-demand lens makers in the world, Ray-Ban, has seen an increase in its sunglasses sales of over 30% in the past four years. The fashion houses that have sold the most in that time frame are, in order, Vuarnet, Ralph Lauren, and Dior.
The Iconic Harry Potter Style
If you’ve been following the style trends of the past decade, you’ll undoubtedly know who the star of the Harry Potter series is. The iconic glasses worn by Daniel Radcliffe in the films are among the most searched-for styles of all time. People have been drawn to his bespoke glasses because of their distinctive look, which features rounded corners, thick black frames, and clear lenses. That’s not all they’re drawn to though, as the interior of his boutique, Pottermore, was also designed in a way that references Harry’s glasses. In 2018, Google searches for Daniel Radcliffe reached its highest point since the premiere of the first Potter film in 2001.
The Timeless Royal Style
If you’re someone who likes a classic look, you certainly won’t be disappointed by King George, the fashion house formerly known as David Beckham, now owned by the Royal Family. We haven’t reached the end of the list yet though, as there is still more than one style that has become popular during the past 10 years. One of the most iconic looks is still defined by Princess Grace, the original Duchess of Windsor, and it’s been copied by stylish ladies across the world. For those who want to emulate her elegant style, they can buy a pair of elegant white sunglasses at the King George brand. In the past year, searches for the Duchess of Windsor have increased by 27%.
Those are some interesting facts about the past decade. It’s pretty clear that while we live in a world that is constantly evolving, others want to stay in the past and experience it through fashion. Designers have paid tribute to some of the biggest names in history, designing sunglasses that were either inspired by or named after them. The 2020s will no doubt bring their own trends, but in the meantime, these brands have mastered creating an accessory that is as unique as the wearer. It seems that people are finally realizing the power of sunglasses as a fashion item.