• Take inspiration from five fashionistas who always know how to glam up their peepers with cool shades.
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Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to up your sunglasses game so you’re protecting your eyes while still looking fabulous. We round up five fashion icons particularly famed for their stylish specs to inspire you.
1. Karl Lagerfeld
The German fashion legend behind Chanel’s modern revival, Karl Lagerfeld was instantly recognisable with his shock of white hair, perfectly manicured suits and trademark all-black shades that gave him instant cool credentials. Lagerfeld was almost blinded by a wayward object as a child, had he not been wearing glasses which protected his eyes from harm. This explains his loyalty to large black shades – and health and safety has never looked more stylish. To recreate the look, search for thick frames, strong shapes, and of course, an all-black hue.
2. Anna Wintour
Arguably the most powerful woman in fashion today,
Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (among her many prestigious roles) is the authority on all things style. Her sleek bob and effortlessly chic silhouette are rarely seen without a pair of classic Chanel sunglasses that give her a powerful, mysterious edge. Wintour admitted she wears sunglasses so people don't know what she's thinking about. Create your own dramatic persona with a pair of large frames to hide your innermost thoughts and leave an air of intrigue in your wake.
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3. Lady Gaga
Never one to shy away from an avant-garde trend, Lady Gaga is frequently snapped in bold, futuristic sunglasses to complete her zany outfits. If you, too, also like to make a statement with your outfit – but think a meat dress is a tad too far – take inspiration from the quirky pop princess and add some funky retro shades to your look. Look for adventurous shapes, bright colours and bejewelled frames – or whatever you think fashionistas of the future might be rocking.
4. Zion.T
Just like his unique music style, the Korean R&B star Zion.T isn't afraid of daring fashion statements, as his ever-changing hairstyles can attest to. He often wears a pair of funky, full-frame shades to complete his look and add an edge to his image. But while thousands of young hearts consider the K-pop icon a heartthrob, Zion.T has admitted he uses sunglasses as a mask to disguise his face, which he has claimed is “ugly”. We disagree, of course, but there’s no denying a pair of shades are an asset on those days you might not be looking your best.
5. Aaron Kwok
Home-grown hero Aaron Kwok has been one of Hong Kong’s most stylish celebrities for almost four decades. Aside from youthful good looks, Kwok keeps his style current with an army of accessories: he once revealed he has more than 100 pairs of sunglasses in his collection. A classic aviator is Kwok’s go-to, but he’s also been known to break out more show-stopping frames for his performances. Versatility is key here, so keep things fresh and experiment with different styles of sunglasses to suit your persona and mood of the day.
Want more style tips? Hear from fashion stylist and image consultant Veronica Li as she talks about the Future of Fashion.