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Spring's Spectacular Specs
If we've learned one thing from Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, it is that eyewear is the essential accessory of the seasons to come. This is great news for contact lens wearers who need to give our dry, red eyes a much needed rest. Call me overly emotional, but embracing my inner nerd to try out this trend required some personal reflection.
I have mixed feelings surrounding glasses as a fashion statement. As a 7-year-old second grader, the blackboard gradually became fuzzy and I was forced to move from the back row to the front to make out the letters. My mom was convinced I was faking for attention, but the ophthalmologist set her straight. What followed my myopia diagnosis? Extreme excitement to see the world with clarity—the trees have leaves! But, with my first pair or 90’s oversized, grasshopper glasses came the beginning of what I now refer to as “the awkward years.” I’m glad I endured this time because it forced me to develop a huge and vivacious personality to get the attention of boys like Derek Schell—the elementary school dreamboat. Finally in the 5th grade, my mom let me get contacts, but learning to put them in was a nightmare, so I continued to sport the specs unless there was a very special occasion.
In 6th grade, my parents let me splurge for my first pair of designer glasses. They took me to the fanciest optical in town, Adair Eyewear, where the owner, Alyce, helped me select a pair of Oliver Peoples that actually fit and flattered my face. Alyce and I hit it off thanks to that bold personality I was forced to develop and we embarked upon an unlikely friendship—an obnoxious 12-year-old and an fabulously eccentric career woman. One day I informed Alyce that she should use me as the model for her billboard, and the next thing you know my face was printed on a 14x48 foot canvas, displayed over the busiest street in town. And trust me, it wasn’t because I was the cutest kid.
Alyce and I have remained kindred spirits throughout my life and journey in fashion and I always stop in to see her and shop when I’m in my hometown. Most recently, I was so excited to discuss the geek chic trend with her. We talked about the designers with the most cutting edge frames and how glasses (opticals or sunnies) can completely change your attitude and the way your carry yourself. Putting on a pair almost feels like getting into character. What role do you want to play today?
I decided to test-drive the trend at fashion week, and was shocked to see how liberating it felt to wear the funky frames. Because eyewear is literally an in-your-face accessory, it tells a deliberate story about whatever statement you wish to convey, whether it be intellectual, nerdy, glam, hipster, retro, or futuristic. I have never felt more confident in my entire fashion career than I did in those bold frames. That feels like a huge victory for the 7-year-old grasshopper doppelgänger.
These are a few of my spring spec selects from Adair Eyewear featuring Celine, Porsche (with custom yellow lenses), and Alain Mikli.