Suntastic

Ray-Ban launches NEVER HIDE Compilation album in SOUTH...

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:33:22 +1100

Ray-Ban launches NEVER HIDE Compilation album in SOUTH AFRICA!

For the love of South African music, Ray-Ban put together a compilation CD, which includes original music from some of SA’s most influential bands and artists. The NEVER HIDE playlist album features aKING, Die Heuwels Fantasties, JR, Lark, Locnville, The Dirty Skirts, Thieve and Van Coke Kartel. And it was a unique limited edition release throughout South Africa.

The compilation is a mix of various genres of South African music: Indie Rock, Pop, Hip Hop & Electro. All artists featured on the album are Brand Ambassadors for Ray-Ban and can be seen wearing their latest Iconic styles as they tour throughout the country over summer.

My favourites from the playlist are The Dirty Skirts, a Cape Town based Indie Rock band that have played festivals alongside Oasis, Snow Patrol, Panic! At The Disco and Evanescence. You can check them out here at their website.

Ray-Ban and music have always evolved together. Icons in music have a long history of making Ray-Ban eyewear a part of their identity and in turn Ray-Ban has become a musical icon in it’s own right. Still today, musicians of all genres choose to see the world in Ray-Ban lenses and share the spotlight with them.

Cape Town-based illustrator Jarryd Kin was chosen as the winner for designing the NEVER HIDE playlist cover. Jarryd used the iconic Wayfarer frme, made popular by Bob Dylan and movies such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Blues Brothers, Risky Business, and re-interpreted it for the limited edition album cover.

The limited edition CD was only available in over 400 retail outlets in South Africa between October and November - so if you have any friends in Jo’burg or CT, hit them up and see if they got a copy of history!

Here are some photos from the launch in Cape Town…

- T xo

Prada Eyewear Project: ILLUSION F/W 2012What appears to be...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:41:00 +1100

Prada Eyewear Project: ILLUSION F/W 2012

What appears to be glamourous skiiing googles, this oversized delicately coloured frame is much more than that. Part of the Real Fantasies Fall/Winter 2012 runway show and collection - this is the creative mask that was born from exploring glamourous modern and fresh ideas with oversize collars and sleeves in the Real Fantasies fashion.

These are a fashion MUST ! It is a fashion collectors must have! Masks are the new shields!

This beautiful piece of eye fashion is fresh, daring and different yet sophisticated - we usually fear what is different, only the true will understand - are you part of the true?

The Prada Illusion is available at selected Sunglass Hut stores worldwide.

- T xo

*Images from AMO/Prada F/W12 lookbook

Never Hide Noise Mix-Tape 4 has been dropped and ready for...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:58:16 +1100

Never Hide Noise Mix-Tape 4 has been dropped and ready for downloading for all you Ray-Ban fans out there!

Featuring tracks from Nick Waterhouse, The Bees, The Generationals and more - find your New Year groove here at: http://www.ray-ban.com/download/ep4
- T xo

Suntastic is taking a mini-break until Jan 2012! I’m...

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:24:00 +1100

Suntastic is taking a mini-break until Jan 2012! I’m currently filming some sun-mazing sunglass short films ! In the meantime; it’s all about foldables! Imagine not having to carry around a large sunglass case or even dazzling a loved one for Christmas! Ray-Ban, Prada & Burberry have all your folding needs this summer! Stop into your local Sunglass Hut and as we say; PUT THEM ON!

-T xo

Do you want a free pair of limited edition Madonna x Dolce &...

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:50:00 +1100

Do you want a free pair of limited edition Madonna x Dolce & Gabbana cat-eye sunglasses?

I’ve got 1 spanking brand new pair to give away to a lucky Australian sunglass fan, valued at $390.00AU complete with limited edition case & box!

All you need to do, is follow me on Twitter and @ me with #SuntasticMDG - just once! No multiple tweets needed!

The winner is picked at random and I’ll contact you if you win!

Entries close at Wednesday 30/11/11 at 12pm (Sydney time)

You could just win yourself a piece of sunglass history for you or a friend (if you’re super generous!)

What are you waiting for?!

*Open to Australian residents only. 1 tweet per user.

- T xo

Missed out on the world’s first floating Sunglass Hut...

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:26:16 +1100

Missed out on the world’s first floating Sunglass Hut store on the weekend? See what the fuss was all about in my latest video! Prada, Bvlgari & Miu Miu - oh my!

- T xo

I’ve touched base on summer 2011’s colour infusions...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:56:00 +1100

I’ve touched base on summer 2011’s colour infusions with sunglasses, but how do you add a bit more colour to match your bright statement through glasses?… but with shoes of course!

Since launching in 2003, Zu Shoes has become a shoe-tastic leader in men and women’s shoe fashion! The Zu style experts tread the sidewalks of Milan, New York, London, Madrid and Tokyo to bring us only the very latest styles!

My friends at Zu were able to show me some of their newest colourful splendor which will be your Summer necessity. Here are my favourite bits and pieces for head and toe colour bursts to brighten your morning, day or evening at beachside bars and cafes! You will be able to find the featured shoe styles at your nearest Zu Shoes store!

And of course, for more colour eyewear ideas and inspiration; look no further than Prada or Vogue eyewear!

- T xo

* Thanks to Zu Shoes for their fabulous images

If you haven’t heard about it already - Sunglass...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:05:04 +1100

If you haven’t heard about it already - Sunglass Hut’s Floating Store at Darling Harbour, Sydney has launched with success! I was able to check it out. Video post coming soon!

Just in time for christmas! Versace launches a limited edition...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:28:06 +1100

Just in time for christmas! Versace launches a limited edition collection featuring elegant and oversized sophistication complete with pearl & gold Versace Medusa head charms (which also features on their handbags & more) and sunglass case which also doubles as an added fashion accessory - a cute evening clutch!

The acetate frames have limited edition written on the inside temple. And feature in 3 different colours. There is also a shield style in the collection if acetate frames are too heavy for you!

The limited edition Versaces will be available at selected Sunglass Huts in Australia mid November! So for no-fail elegance you can wear anytime and with anything to create instant glam, you know which style is for you!

NEVER HIDE in 2011Artist: La BocaFor Rare Prints special series...

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:36:32 +1100

NEVER HIDE in 2011
Artist: La Boca

For Rare Prints special series - Ray-Ban collaborated with the some of the world’s best print makers and asked them to design a poster inspired by a pattern. Last year we saw Matt Moore’s spin. This year it’s La Boca!

Always be on the look out for RARE PRINTS - one blink and you might miss!

- T xo

Do you prefer persol 714 over 649? so hard decision

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:05:56 +1100

I love both! The McQueen model has a fantastic story and also folds up into a great little leather pouch! And the 649s are a effortless bold look! To pull them off though, It really depends on your face shape!

I have a round shape face and find the 649s a bit too “circular” so it makes my face look even more round! The 714SMQ are round but have a longer width so the roundness isn’t as sharp!

I hope this made sense! x

Ray-Ban RAW SOUNDS is a unique collaboration between young...

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:10:00 +1100

Ray-Ban RAW SOUNDS is a unique collaboration between young rock’n’roll and legendary rock’n’roll.

Developed by legendary rocker Johnny Marr of The Smiths - RAW SOUNDS is a five element challenge for new contemporary bands; Best Coast, Mona, Au Revior Simone and Tom Vek. The idea of collaborating with bands in an imaginative way was intriguing and a challenge that he enjoyed!

How does Ray-Ban fit into the rock equation? For years Ray-Ban has seen the birth of rock’n’roll through the ages. It defined numerous music cultures and changed the way we see into the world of rock and how it is seen from the stage.

The five part challenge developed by Marr were a combination of inspirations on which, the selected bands were to write a track in their own style. Inspiration was drawn from a poem entitled “I Know The Radiant City” written by Marr, a quotation from the famous German philosopher Schiller, a video of Marr playing a looped guitar tune called “Strum and Drang”, a photo entitled “Now Look!” taken by Marr of his two friends filming and photographing each other and a map of the Lower East Side area of New York.

Johnny Marr himself, has always been a Ray-Ban fan: “I’ve worn Ray-Ban for years… When I first started out with The Smiths I wore them all the time”, he stated. “I used to work in a shop in Manchester during the early 80s, we were the very first selling Ray-Ban. I recall I purposely ordered one pair for me so I could be one of the few people in Manchester at the time wearing Ray-Ban”

One of the bands, Best Coast - A surf rock psych band from LA is actually one of my favourite bands right now. Ever since they debuted their cd “Crazy For You” I fell in love straight away! I was super excited to find out they were part of the RAW SOUNDS project! Their track for RAW SOUNDS is called “In Your Sleep” and drew inspiration from the “New Look!” photo by Marr and the looped “Strum and Drang”. You can hear it here !

To further contribute to the RAW SOUNDS, Ray-Ban will release a limited Johnny Marr edition Signet sunglass model (Marr pictured wearing above). For rock’n’roll fans - this piece will be a MUST for any collector! Similar to the Ray-Ban Clubmaster but completely metal framed, along with signature “Johnny” on the temple. Creating his own piece of Ray-Ban history!

Ray-Ban RAW SOUNDS will proceed in a series of gigs in music capitals around the world and has already kicked off with a unique show on the 13/10 at Angel Orensanz Foundation For Contemporary Art in New York. Johnny Marr performed with his new band The Healers and played hits from his back catalogue including The Smiths with support by Best Coast and Mona.

Ray-Ban RAW SOUNDS will continue with shows in London and Hong Kong in November

- T xo

This is me wearing my new sunglasses given to me by Oakley...

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:54:00 +1100

This is me wearing my new sunglasses given to me by Oakley Australia. The style is called “Beckon” are from the Uniquely Oakley women’s range.

I am particularly excited by this style as it is a perfect transition from function to fashion in this classic oversize fashion shape, yet has all the features a performance Oakley has to offer.

”Beckon” has Plutonite lenses that are not only the most pure of polycarbonate plastics for clarity but also feature 100% protection against UVA/UVB/UVC light. It’s optical and impact resistant. Lightweight as anything with a 3 point fit for correct optical alignment. They are also prescription ready and available in Polarised!

Available at all Sunglass Hut Australia stores.

Launching their new perscription sunglass technology; OPSM...

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:59:00 +1100

Launching their new perscription sunglass technology; OPSM launched “It’s A New Day!” at Cafe Sydney inviting the fabulous Ita Buttrose and various media to show off stories about Eye Health and product!

Ita is loving the Dolce & Gabbana Lace and announced to Sydney that 80% of Sunglasses can be fitted with prescriptions!

- T xo

*Images from OPSM

Today I enjoyed helping Fashion Director and Stylist FiFi Milne...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:24:10 +1100

Today I enjoyed helping Fashion Director and Stylist FiFi Milne select some very chic and fabulous D&G sunglasses to add to her never ending wardrobe! We love her! You can check out her website here: The FiFi Report

Milan Fashion Week X Dolce & Gabbana X Pasta Earrings X...

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:22:10 +1000

Milan Fashion Week X Dolce & Gabbana X Pasta Earrings X Pasta coloured sunglasses!

I am passionate about Persol and their dedication for spending...

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:52:00 +1000

I am passionate about Persol and their dedication for spending the past 92 years creating pieces of eye wear art. Today, Persol glasses are still manufactured by hand with the same attention to detail and care since their beginnings.

The “A Work of Persol” Project is about celebrating dedication to artistic processes by collaborating with seventeen personally unique artists of all art kinds from around the world, to bring together their artwork in a “moving Persol gallery” and will inspire a new eye wear collection.

I admire the work and creative vision of one of the selected artists Tjorg Douglas Beer. You can check out his Persol video and the rest of the artists here

What does make Persol special? Here’s some frequent Q&A’s regarding this “For Sun” pieces of art:

What are the lines at the side of Persol styles?

- It’s referred to as Meflecto! It’s the world’s first flexible arm system designed for maximum comfort by eliminating pressure on the head from the arms of the glasses (perfect for wider faces). The Meflecto system allows the glasses to adapt to the unique shape of any face. It was patented at the end of the 1930’s and still today represents a unsurpassed technological solution! In terms of production; the Meflecto system involves inserting nylon or metal cylinders into an acetate stem, intersecting them with a flexible core of harmonic steel. The process requires over 10 workings steps compared to that of a normal frame. To make it easier for those who might not understand the huge words above - The system allows the arm to bend comfortably for the wearer!

What’s with the Arrow?

- Persol’s founder Giuseppe Ratti instincitvely recognised the need to be different - to make his products more iconic and recognisable! At the end of the 1930’s, swords of ancient warriors inspired the Arrow symbol :)

How are they made?

- The entire process of making Persol still takes place in the historic Lauriano factory where many of the steps of production still involve handcrafting. This has allowed the company to marry technological solutions with a rich tradition of craftsmanship to create glasses of the highest quality. The average length of time needed to produce a Persol frame is almost double that of simple acetate frames because the process to make the Arrow and Melfecto system (remember both unique to Persol) cannot be made by machine and instead require hand work.

What makes their plastic frames so special compared to other brands?

- In Persol plastic frames, they use a natural acetate that’s made by cotton flowers! The cotton is pulverized and treated to take form of a perfect mass. The end product contains cotton’s natural properties - allergy free, warm to touch and pleasant on the skin for optimum comfort. Using a natural material allows Persol to create colour variations that can only be found in Persol products and infact Persol has countless patents and trademarks that are exclusive to Persol. Persol acetate is also less likley to shrink over time.

What’s with their nosebridges in plastic styles - why do some people like them better?

- Through a special process called “telatura” that consists of eliminating the edges on the underside of the bridge to make the fit more comfortable and so that the weight of the glasses across their entire surface is evenly distributed. It’s a manual process that was first introduced when Giuseppi Ratti still ran the company and is still applied to with the same precision and attention today.

- T xo

Watch accessories designer Monica Botkier and blogger Aimee Song...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:38:54 +1000

Watch accessories designer Monica Botkier and blogger Aimee Song in Miama talking about inspiration on Botkier’s first sunglasses for the Vogue Eyewear City Collection 2011!

Monica Botkier is a designer of handbags and accessories in her own label “Botkier“

- T xo

It’s all about COLOUR at Sunglass Hut…Showing off...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:39:00 +1000

It’s all about COLOUR at Sunglass Hut…

Showing off some fabulous and suntastic colour styles for Spring Summer 2011 in-store now!

- T xo

How do you go nude without taking your clothes off? Burberry has...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:16:00 +1000

How do you go nude without taking your clothes off? Burberry has your answer!

Nudes and light tan colourings have been harmonized with the Burberry label since the luxury fashion house beginnings. And for AW 2011 (Now SS 2011 for us Aussies!) Burberry have released the “Nude” collection of coats, hand bags, shoes and my favourite; sunglasses*! The collection is based on skin colour and some swinging 60’s inspired frames.

If you are a bit shy on bold colours, nude tones contrasted with white, black or grey outfits are an easier colour statement as it’s a neutral tone and more subtle on the eyes!

- T xo

*Selected styles coming soon to Sunglass Hut Australia