Shades of the season

In the streets of Paris the presence of wayfarers is palpable. It’s almost impossible for one to not notice someone sporting a Rayban’s wayfarer every few steps. Classic black, sweet colored such as blue and pink to double colored wayfarers, is the vogue this season. Along with wayfarers, the other shape that has been the favorite among fashionable women is the butterfly shaped sunglasses. [break]

And the fetish for these two shades seems to be gradually catching up in Kathmandu as well. “But only among a certain group,” says Birendra Shakya, the proprietor of a three decade old shop Gift House at Bishalbazaar known for it’s wide array of designer shades. “Wayfarers are expensive so teenagers cannot afford them. But demand for the shades has grown among a few urbanites,” adds Birendra.

For Lawang Tshering Bhuttia, an IT person who owns a pair of wayfarers, it’s the shape of the shade that appealed him. “Wayfarers comeback is obvious because it suits every face type,” adds Lawang. The best thing about owning a wayfarer is it is unisex and classic, so you can always pass it to your sibling or share it with your partner.

Birendra who has witnessed a sea change in patterns of the shades since he started the gift shop during the late 60’s opines, “retro is back.” According to Birendra, aviators were the “in” shades some three decades ago, and they still are. One of the reasons for aviators to still be the mass’s favorite is its affordability and the array of imitations that are available. Hop into one of the street shops in Basantapur night market, and you can see how aviators still reign supreme, especially the colored frames.

Like other accessories, designers have brainstormed to take shades to a whole different level, making it not only a mere sunglasses but a valuable accessory. Displaying a Christian Dior Studded shades Birendra informs, “Other trends that’s entering Nepali market is the colored and swarovski studded framed shades.”

Gemologist Nikki Joshi has settled for grey shades over the common black, this season. Nikki, who sports a Channel oversized sunglasses, has a fascination for colored shades. “I love colored shades-purple and green are my favorite,” says she. Akin to Nikki many girls are still sporting oversized shades be it square or round, which hit the market couple of years back. And so claims Ramesh Shakya, manager, Karuna Clothes and Accessories, Durbar Marg.

Over sized sunglasses have been worked around the arm area and the result is the buttery shaped shades, which is the other ‘in’ accessory for the year. Some of the biggies in the international music industry and Hollywood have been spotted wearing this particular shade early this year. And this particular shape has made its way to the local fashion market too.

Nepal’s shades market has surely expanded its frontiers in terms of brands, shapes and designs. Along with popular Rayban, brand names such Gucci, Armani and Christian Dior has made its way to the capital’s market through the Gift House. However, it’s not necessary all the time to keep up with the latest styles. “While a certain sunglasses may suit a particular face type, it may not necessarily look good on another person,” adds Birendra. Birendra, who has been helping his clientele to select their pair of shades concludes, “Straight modeled wayfarer suits flat nosed person. While those with pointed nose should opt for curved and rounded shades.”