John Galliano’s first eyewear collection premiers in Paris
“Sunglasses are both an accessory and the supreme alibi. They are a veritable status symbol that conceal the eyes and allow you to project the brilliant image you desire. With my sunglasses, I wanted to create a new form of glamour and give my muses the power to interpret it fully," said John Galliano during the launch of his line of sunglasses, which he created together with Marcolin.
As always, the incomparable designer drew his inspiration from multiple sources: from the stars of the silver screen and makeup to catwalks and red carpets, eccentric heiresses and ethnic beauties. Today, Galliano's new creation is dedicated to his icons and is the perfect reincarnation of his exclusive, romantic and innovative spirit.
From their places backstage, “Galliano’s Girls” are ready to step directly into the limelight. Just like makeup, used to transform models into mythical creatures, Galliano's glasses can perform the same metamorphosis in an instant. As such, makeup becomes the origin, the inspiration behind the new Galliano face and the spirit of his glasses.
“We wanted to create sunglasses that would be a reflection of the Galliano Icon”, stated the designer.
For his women, Galliano returned to his Spanish origins and drew from Flamenco to create "Les Biches”.
Galliano designed his shades while dreaming of doe-eyed girls and what they would have wanted to wear. That is, large, wraparound, mysterious and sensual sunglasses inspired by Spanish Peinetas – the intricately worked fan-shaped Spanish combs used to adorn the hairstyles of proud Flamenco dancers. While their dark lenses conceal the eyes, the colours on the smoky stems blend from black to a delicate pink hue to create the illusion of blushing cheeks.
The colourful romanticism of the sunglasses, whose colours range from smoky kohl to powder purple and blush pink, perfectly encapsulate the mystical and exotic elegance of the colours contained in beauty cases belonging to the heroines of Galliano's catwalks. Nuances of colour bring the designer’s shapes to life, endowing them with style while modelling and sculpting the faces of his muses.
“I wanted to mix traditional glamour with “high-tech” romanticism to tell our story. We explored all of the latest discoveries in the plastics business and employed the most advanced techniques available in the lens sector. I wanted my sunglasses to reflect the depth of character and decadent spirit that is the Galliano style.”
For men, Galliano drew his inspiration from his heroes as well as his favourite rebels. The “Beau Regard” model combines a maison motif with cinematic influences, giving rise to a wide plastic front bar, a slim lower metal frame, and stems in contrasting colours.
Inspired by the Hollywood rebels of the ‘60s and the legendary members of the Rat Pack, these shades are designed to conceal insolent macho eyes - just like the tinted glass used to protect the stars from their enraptured fans - while the metal rivets on the frames echo their interminable Cadillacs.
The wraparound "pilot” model pays tribute to another Galliano Guy - Steve McQueen - as he rides full-throttle into the sunset on his bike. This model is as modern as it is unexpected, just like the adventure that every man dreams of.
Be they for men or women, each pair of Galliano shades evokes a different type of icon or adventure. Provocative, fatale or incognito, each has been conceived to seduce and to shine a spotlight on an icon.
From pink to pitch black, with exclusive Gazette prints, decorated with enormous logos or with intricate metal filigrees, Galliano’s sunglasses are destined to become a fashion must have at every catwalk, red carpet and event.
