Gallery: Spectacular spectacles

Fashionistas turn glasses into super-cool accessories

By La Carmina 22 February, 2010

funky monk

Now that’s what I call a funky monk. A Ladakh lama pairs a traditional hat and robes with John Lennon-like shades. Groovy.

tokyo fashion glasses

This Tokyoite’s glasses look like the brainchild of a mad Victorian inventor. I’ll admit they’re a clever solution for switching from outdoor to indoor lighting.

Spectacles for Humans

I called <a href="http://spectaclesforhumans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Spectacles for Humans</a>, a designer optical shop in San Francisco. The owner had gone all the way to Japan to bring back Spec Espace frames. Only a few remained… including the exact style I wanted. How I love the fit and the black/clear stripes.

Daiso glasses

Now that’s a cute accessory -- a Seoul teenager hangs a string of beads across the front of her spectacles. The hot pink stars match her outfit and bring out her rosy cheeks. I’ve found similar dangles in the Japanese dollar store <a href="http://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english/" target="_blank">Daiso</a>.

vintage spectacles

A Beijing blogger took notice of a <a href="http://www.stylites.net/2009/07/01/cute-popstar" target="_blank">lady in slightly-tinted vintage spectacles</a>. She snapped a photo -- and later realized that the trendsetter is Jin Haixin, a well-known pop singer of Korean descent.

In August 2009, Eyedonist held a star-studded opening for its flagship boutique in Hong Kong. The guests tried on fancy Italian shades for the cameras, but model Jacquelin Ch’ng stole the show with her <a href="http://www.luxury-insider.com/Current_Affairs/post/2009/06/For-Your-Eyes-Only-Eyedonist-Hong-Kong.aspx" target="_blank">corset made from 36 sunglasses</a>.

SB Sunglasses

Cat Street in Harajuku,Tokyo is a magnet for gloriously impractical street style. Maybe this young man forgot to wear pants because his vision was obscured? <a href="http://www.stevieboi.com" target="_blank">SB Sunglasses</a> sells similar space-age shades.

There’s an easy way to out-retro all your friends: go back two centuries. Authentic Qing Dynasty glasses -- complete with the original case -- sell for US$495 from <a href="http://shop.showcaseantiques.com/product_info.php/cPath/19/products_id/4989" target="_blank">Showcase Antique Center</a>. Couldn’t you see them on a kung fu master in a Yuen Woo-Ping comedy?

Do sunglasses sit too low on your face or slide down your nose? Oakley created an 'Asian Fit' line that solves these common complaints. The sporty shades are available from <a href="http://oakley.ca/category/1046" target="_blank">Oakley's website</a> for US$150-265.

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Confession: I have horrible eyesight. I’ve spent the greater part of my life behind various frames, most of which could have been props for “Revenge of the Nerds.” Thankfully, I discovered the joys of Asia-made glasses. They fit my face better -- wider rectangles with a slighter nose bridge -- and the design is distinct from the Tommys and Guccis that everyone wears. Click the gallery above for proof.

La Carmina writes about Harajuku pop culture and all things spooky-cute. She is the author of three books about Japanese pop culture and food, including "Cute Yummy Time" and "Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo" -- for which she did all the photos and illustrations. Both books were released in October, accompanied by a U.S. major city book tour.

For more, please visit her website.

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Gallery: Spectacular spectacles

funky monk

tokyo fashion glasses

Spectacles for Humans

Daiso glasses

vintage spectacles

SB Sunglasses

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