Dramatic, flashy, theatrical, over-the-top, colorful, urban, bold, kooky, experimental... All of these terms could be used to describe the aesthetic of designer Jeremy Scott. It follows, then, that Scott's limited-edition eyewear collection with fashion-forward optical brand Linda Farrow would not incorporate run-of-the-mill aviator frames, Jackie O styles, or Wayfarer-inspired shapes. Instead, the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow glasses collection thrusts onlookers into the halls of absurdity, the world of weirdness, the comedy castle, the quad of quirkiness, the kitschiness kiosk, and the cabin of cool.
Scott tends to draw inspiration from the '80s, and this collection is no exception. Take, for example, the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow TV Glasses ($220 at PatriciaField.com), pictured at top, which feature two black squares with tiny round, flat, gunmetal-colored studs along their bottom ridge meant to resemble the buttons on old-school analog TV sets. The gradient gray lenses and the antennae detail at the top of the frame's left-hand side completes the effect.
Similarly, the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow Smiley Glasses ($225 at PatriciaField.com) blend together a Janis Joplin-esque, groovy vibe via the frame's round shape with the lovable nerdiness of Dwayne Wayne thanks to the hinged flip top. The hinged top layer features two cross-shaped cut-outs resembling eyes and the upturned curve you'd find on any standard smiley face lollipop. The red lenses, meanwhile, add a slightly gothic effect to the otherwise goofy yet adorable design.
Always fascinated with mythical motifs (think of the many winged shapes in his designs), Scott turned to ancient Rome when designing the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow Caesar Glasses ($370 at PatriciaField.com), pictured second above. The gold-toned metal Caesar glasses feature wraparound style frames, mirrored lenses and, most importantly, laurel leaf motifs covering the arms for a Mount Olympus-ready look.
Other styles in the collection include the red, plastic Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow Cross Frames ($314 at PatriciaField.com), shown after the jump, which take the basic rectangular silhouette of '80s 3D sunglasses, including the square gray lenses, and then subvert it by adding intersecting rectangular shapes right where the lenses are located. The final result is completely over-the-top, especially given that the rectangular strips extend all the way down past the cheekbones, but that's part of their charm.
Perhaps the most bizarre piece is the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow Hand Frames ($259 at PatriciaField.com), which feature mannequin-like fingers "covering" the eyes. The sunglasses arms, then, resemble hands: the arms' tips resemble skinny wrists, widening as one's sight gravitates to the front of the frames, where the hands bend, so that the fingers fold over the eyes. The sculpted fingers are cleverly positioned, so that a space is left between the middle finger and the ring finger on either side, creating the illusion of "peeking."
Since these frames feature no lenses, they offer absolutely no UV protection, and hence their purpose is purely aesthetic. Measuring 7" in length and 2.5" in height, they're available in black, gold, or nude. That being said, these have a tendency to give me the creeps — particularly, the nude-colored option, in which the fingers feature red fingernails. Perhaps it's the fact that I watched the first season of Dexter and had nightmares about the Ice Truck Killer's prosthetic arm fetish, but these frames just frighten me.
Would I wear any of the Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow frames? Probably not (though, if I did, it would definitely be the Caesar frames). But I have to commend Scott for creating a novel collection that, even if a tad gimmicky, still manages to engage and entice.
