June 27 is National Sunglasses Day. So it may be appropriate to reflect a bit on their history.
Eyewear, used to protect vision from strong light, dates back to prehistoric times: The first pair had lenses made out of ivory with a small slit. Tinted glass lenses developed in the mid-18th century, but it wasn’t until the Twenties that movie stars and other celebrities began adopting sunglasses as a device to disguise themselves from paparazzi and fans. Ever since then, they’ve become a fashion mainstay — and a moneymaker for brands.
So, even though National Sunglasses Day was created to raise awareness about UV protection, the fashion industry can’t help but make it about style. For this season, designers have strayed away from the classic colors for frames and into bolder, brighter hues. Dita went an extra mile, adding a spike-top to its electric blue, cat-eye-shaped frame, while Cazal added sleek turquoise, pink and gold lines to a clear frame. Gentle Monster x Opening Ceremony eliminated the rim, but turned the temples and the lenses themselves a vibrant pink.