Cutler & Gross: fashion shades of Hollywood

It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights through emeralds, and in 12th century China flat panes of smoky quartz were used to protect the eyes from glare. Fast forward to last century when the use of sunglasses became more fashionable, especially among the pioneering stars of silent movies. Rumour had it this was to avoid recognition by fans, but the real reason was the actors often had perennially red eyes from the blinding arc lamps caused by the extremely slow speed film stocks.

Hollywood stars and sunglasses have since been inseparable, if not iconic, and one luxury spectacle brand has long been dressing the eyes of many a silver screen siren. Next season sees London-based Cutler and Gross continue its love affair with the glamour of old Hollywood and is casting a retrospective eye upon itself, homing onto the classics. This time the inspiration is drawn from Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni in ‘ Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow ’(1963) in which the nubile nymph falling for an older man, sauve and dashing Marcello at his most de bonnaire.

This is a collection inspired by big–screen transformations of pretty girls Into beautiful women and of cute boys into men.

As always, the beauty of well-made sunglasses, especially of Cutler and Gross, lies in its craftmenship and choice of exquisite materials, almost too meticulous for today’s disposable culture. This is eyewear worthy of a whirlwind romance played out in a vintage Mercedes on Mulholland Drive destination Malibu.

Next season watch out for Cutler & Gross' collaboration with London Fashion Week designers Erdem, Giles Deacon and Osman Yousefzada.

Image: Cutler & Gross SS10