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THE CLASSIC SUNGLASSES PROJECT

Topman launches 'The Classic Sunglasses' in conjunction with Linda Farrow Vintage. Following on from last season's White Shirt Project, this will be the second in a series of ongoing projects which invite a selection of designers to interpret their ideas of a certain product.

The five designers creating sunglasses for this season are Bernhard Wilhelm, Kim Jones, Oliver Spencer, 0044 and Linda Farrow Vintage themselves along with Topman Design.

'With the recent phenomenal growth in the Men's accessories arena in the past year, it's particularly apt that Topman's follow on to the successful White Shirt Project is The Classic Sunglasses Project.
Once again working with a selection of eminent designers who have each interpreted a different classic sunglasses style; The range has been given extra kudos by collaborating with Linda Farrow, the projects host whose very name implies quality and luxury.'  -GORDON RICHARDSON, Topman Design and Product Development Director.

Renowned internationally for his visionary designs and ingenious playful pop references, German born BERNHARD WILHELM is the first of the designers to take part in the project. His glasses are deliberately oversized with 60's inspired chunky plastic frames and original lens shape. Glasses are available in three different colour ways: black frames with black lens, clear frames with black lens and tortoise shell frames with brown lenses.

Now regulars on the official Menswear calendar in Paris, Japanese designers 0044 signature gothic and often dark aesthetic has been reflected perfectly in their creation for this project. With large wrap around frames and shield lenses, the glasses are available in both all black and olive green. The design features also include a silver skull encrusted into the arms of the frame and a typically sinister poem engraved onto each lens.

Having shown at this season's MAN event and having previously worked with Topman on a capsule collection, KIM JONES was the perfect choice to take part in this project. His offering is more sporty with large shield aviator lenses, twisted metal frames and arms available in both electric blue and silver.

With a reputation for merging boundaries between mainstream and fashion collections, OLIVER SPENCER was chosen for this project to add a sophisticated edge. Oliver has designed two styles, the first a re-working of a typical wayfarer design available in both tortoise shell and all black. His second style is mature and understated in design with round lens and thin silver or gold metal frames. All of his designs are completed with a unique red stripe on the end of the arms of each of his glasses.

As well as acting as a partner on this project, LINDA FARROW VINTAGE have also designed their own pair of glasses. Having re-launched in 2003, the brand has now gained the reputation for producing an unprecedented range of distinctive vintage frames. Their glasses are slick and bold in design with oversized caravan shaped lenses and gold or silver plastic frames. Gold metallic arms add a distinguished feel to the design.

'We are delighted to be working with Topman on this project, together we created a collection both high in fashion and true to Linda Farrow; It only felt natural to collaborate with them'.  -SIMON JABLON, Managing Director, Linda Farrow Vintage.

Designed in-house, TOPMAN DESIGN is a premium collection that is only stocked in a small selection of stores including boutiques in New York, L.A. and Tokyo and has shown as part of the MAN event for the past four seasons to great critical acclaim. With a refined and mature aesthetic, Topman's glasses have traditional rectangle shaped lenses and 50's inspired thin metal frames. They are available with either green lenses and antique gold frames or in all black.

The full range of glasses will be available from Topman's flagship store, 214 Oxford Circus and also online at Topman.com

EDITOR'S NOTES

i). Each Designer's own collections are available from the following stores:

  • BERNHARD WILHELM: b-store, 24a Savile Row, London.
  • KIM JONES: Dover St. Market, 17-18 Dover St, London.
  • 0044: 0044 Marais, 16 Rue Du Bourg-Tibourg, Paris, France.
  • OLIVER SPENCER: Liberty's, Gt. Malborough St, London.
  • LINDA FARROW VINTAGE: Brown's, 24 South Molton St, London.
  • TOPMAN DESIGN: 214 Oxford Circus, London.

ii). All glasses will be priced at £50.

 For all press enquiries, please contact Adi Currie, 020 7927 1276/ adi.currie@topman.com