This is the latest in our selection of sunglasses, and today we’re looking at Electric. Based in San Clemente, in California, the brand was created by Greg Arnette, but became know in its current form by Kip Arnette (his son) who took it over in 2000 in association with Bruce Beach.

Like all good Californians, the 2 partners are fans of board sports, and the brand is firmly rooted in the milieu. As is often the case, they sponsor several sports stars such as Bam Margerra, the skater from Jackass, and Ozzie Wright, the professional surfer.

Electric has just launched a wicked new style called the “Detroit”. The shape is inspired by Ray Ban Wayfarers or Oakley Frogskins. But these have an Electric twist, with a larger shape and far-out colours (black, white, yellow, violet and red)

These sunglasses are made in Italy from Grilamid (a new generation of plastics that are unbreakable, and survive extreme conditions without warping), and offer 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection (the full monty!)

You’ll probably have a bit of trouble finding them in France even though the brand currently has offices at Hossegor.

They are now available from Ragdoll, a shop and site in Anglet, in the Basque country, who offer them for €77. Thanks to Anselme for the info!

Do you like them?

C-In2 is an American underwear brand. Its creator, Gregory Sovell, also behind the brand 2(x)ist, revolutionized the market by constantly reinventing underwear from a design and technical viewpoint for the last 10 years.

Inspired by dancers, who use similar tricks, he invented the “Sling support” which ensures better support, and enhances the man’s shape. And because a picture paints a thousand words, here is a diagram to help you understand the idea:

C-In2 make high-tech and sexy styles, like this low-rise style with invisible seams from the “Pop color” range (see below). And for a reasonable price, too: $23,50 from Amazon

N.B. For my last selection, I mentioned a similar principle from Udy. To discover or rediscover: all of our men’s underwear selections. (Coming soon: an article about Core-Point)

Flip-flops are the essential accessory for holidays. These are from Paul Frank, with his famous ape, Julius.

I’ll take the occasion to tell you that you can see all our holiday selections by clicking on the tag beach

€15 from Novoidplus

Let’s break out the sunglasses again, this time with a pair from Von Zipper. Founded in 1999 in California, VZ specializes in extreme sports eyewear, such as snowboarding masks.

My favorite: the Stache in red, white and blue! They do the same style in 4 other colours: black, white, red and tortoiseshell.

The frame is relatively lightweight (31g), and made of Polycarbonate. The lenses, category 3, are slightly reflective, which offers better protection, but they aren’t polarized.

Technically, these Von Zippers are nothing special but they’re a nice product, at a reasonable price. Perfect, for example, for special pair of sunglasses in addition to an everyday pair!

sale: $109.99 from Amazon

The latest in the series of good leather bracelets, I have just discovered Victor Onorio. Unknown until now, I’m just waiting to get on his site, which would appear to be coming soon (or not), to find out more.

Above is one of my favorite styles in black leather and silver: “Glamour of Nature”. I love the one below in brown leather: “Nature Power”.

There are a dozen models are available on the Devianandarts site for between $50 and $70 (£20/35).

Udy is an underwear brand established in the 50s in Spain. Ricardo Miguel Udi, its founder, began creating creating and selling underwear in Navarre (see here for more info).

Since then, the company has been based in Madrid, and the brand was renamed Udy Collection in the 90s. All their products are designed and manufactured in Spain!

My favorite: the Wonderman in blue (as you can see from these sunglasses, I’m really into blue at the moment). The contrasting white waistband and trim is almost a classic now! But it is nice.

They are made of cotton and elastane (really soft and comfy) and have a little pocket on the inside. If you’ve not seen one before: it boosts your assets, giving you a confident bulge! It’s a bit like a wonderbra for men

€34.80 from Planet Undies

Mike Sweetman is a Parisian designer which I had mentioned last year in an interview (in French). He has since opened a new shop at 24 Boulevard Raspail, dedicated to shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories.

In his accessories range he usually has some stylish belts including a few snakeskin ones. But today I’m looking at a black patent leather style.

A very nice belt. It was love at first site! Rather stylish with a pair of black jeans… You’ll need to keep it simple for the rest of the outfit, but this is the little extra that gives the whole look a little lift!

And I love the buckle! Not that’s a really big steel buckle! The front is brushed and the sides are moulded as you can see below. True class, I tell you. Right down to the very last detail…

€90 from Sweetman.fr (in English also)

So today we’re back to sunglasses with Tipton Eyeworks and their Vinylize glasses. An idea launched by Hungarian designers Zach and Zoltan Tipton, these sunglasses are made from old vinyl records.

Originally launched in the USA, the collection arrived in France in 2005. It was an extremely exclusive release, to say the least. I love the Alvydas style, it’s very rock‘n’roll. You need the look and the right face to go with it, but the end result can be wicked!

These are very beautiful sunglasses, which you can admire close up at Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde. However, be aware that they cost €295. Ok, they’re a little cheaper if you tell them we sent you

NB: if you take a look at Tipton.hu (good luck!), you will discover a new range they’ve just launched: Cinématique. The key concept of this collection of 10 models is the use of 16 and 35mm films. For the record, these are all films dating from after 1989 (fall of communism). You can see the films in the arms of the glasses, between 2 layers of acetate. If you insist, we’ll talk about them again after the summer with (prescription) glasses…

Our most recent sunglasses selections:

• Von Zipper Sunglasses
• Vinylize Sunglasses
• Beryll Sunglasses
• Oliver Goldsmith Glasses
• Men’s sunglasses: trends for 2008
• Sunglasses: retrospective 2007
• SPY sunglasses

Task Essential is a mens’ cosmetics brand launched in Switzerland in 2004 (I recently took a visit to their salon – article in French). Their packaging is easily identified by its unusual colour scheme: red and white. The range combines oxygen molecules with plant extracts, fruits and vitamins.

Their moisturizer is contains oxygen molecules, algae extracts, apricot oil and papaya extract. It has a light texture and is easily absorbed by the skin. It effectively moisturises and I like the energising effect. It gives your skin a wake up call! It also makes you smile. A perfect way to start the day!

£22.00 from Mankind

Beryll was founded in 1998 in Austria. Sigmar Berg, its creator, trained as an architect. He is now based in Santa Monica. In his approach to design, he attaches great importance to matching glasses with the shape of the face, and the choice of materials. The sunglasses are handmade in Italy.

You can identify them by the crosses on the arms. Initially they used a silver cross, but increasingly the logo is more subtly set into the frame. Beryll wanted his glasses to be recognisable for their design rather than the logo.

My favourite: the Conte. Its square shape is particularly suited to oval-shaped faces. The frame is polished acetate and the lenses are polycarbonate. This lighter material offers greater comfort.

The lenses are UVA and UVB treated. They conform to the Australian standards (one of the most demanding in terms of sun protection). Let’s not forget that although sunglasses are pretty, and a fashion accessory, but their main point is to protect your eyes from the sun!

On sale at Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde at the price of €245 (ouch! But see below for a 5% discount on sunglasses and 10% on glasses!).