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

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:

• Vinylize Sunglasses
• Beryll Sunglasses
• Oliver Goldsmith Glasses
• Men’s sunglasses: trends for 2008
• Sunglasses: retrospective 2007
• SPY sunglasses
• Persol 649 s sunglasses

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!).

This is the first part of our sunglasses special. Oliver Goldsmith is an English brand created in 1926 which saw its heyday in the 60s. At the time, it was represented by the actresses Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.

In 2005, Clara Goldsmith, the founder’s granddaughter relaunched the brand using her grandfather’s artistic heritage. Around 30 models were re-released. And this new era came with new icons: Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Jude Law, Jessica Simpson and Gwyneth Paltrow all posed for Oliver Goldsmith.

And this year, the arrival of designer Brian McGinn (an Irishman? Yes sir!) aims to bring new styles whilst using the know-how and hand crafted 100% British style.

My favourite: the “Carl”, with its large acetate aviator frame. These are distinctly retro sunglasses available in tortoiseshell, black, transparent and green!

On sale at ESPLE, 40 rue Saint Sulpice Paris 6 (see the discount voucher below) and for non-Parisians from Men a la Mode (€198). Discover the rest of the collection on the Oliver Goldsmith site.

Let’s start with a non-trendy style, as it never goes out of fashion: the aviator, which has been present in every new collection since it was created by Ray Ban in 1936. This basic has once again formed the inspiration for many fashion houses (Dior, Cavalli, Tom Ford…) and designers (Berryl, Porsche Design…).

The main trend at the moment is without a doubt vintage. Ray Ban’s other bestseller, the Wayfarer, a 50’s model, was very popular last year, and this success continues this season.

This vintage trend also includes styles from the 60s, 70s and 80s. My favourites: The seventies revival with streamlined and chunky shapes. I love it! This year, there are more square, geometric styles.

But the most noticeable thing this season is the return of colour! If you like the 80s, you’ll be in your element: Bright colours and large frames are back with a vengeance! White, yellow, red or green, the emphasis is on fun!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll invite you to discover a selection of sunglasses from these different styles. A range that, I hope, will turn you into shades experts, if you aren’t already

It’s time to make the most of the last few rays of summer sun: a pair of SPYs, an actions sports brand from San Diego in California. -The ocean, the sand, girls in bikinis, American sandwiches with fries, mayonnaise and ketchup on the way out of a nightclub… All that’s gone now! Autumn is here!

$164.95 from Spyoptic.com

You can see other styles on Backflip-Freerider.com and Freeride-attitude.com

Vintage and chic, as worn by Adrien Brody, Steve McQueen, Marcello Mastroianni or even Paul Newman, Persol 649 s sunglasses are an unusual alternative to the other aviator-style shades.

€96.60 sur Eyeglasses123

Have you seen Tom Ford’s latest sunglasses collection? It’s really great stuff. I love the retro style! Like the above style with the large squarish frames and the silver T for Tom on the hinges. And they’re quite tempting in spite of the price, because they’re the sort of timeless shades you can carry off from one summer to the next! They’re starting to appear in certain stores. However, beware, the distribution is fairly selective!
You can definitely find them in Paris at “Regard du Marais by I…, 16 Rue Vieille du Temple (Paris 4)
” and “Marc Le Bihan Opticien“. If not, have a look on their site and have a look around your area…

$335 on Eyegoodies

Aviators came back with a vengeance 2 years ago, sales were off the scale last year, and will be extremely popular this summer! However this summer will be marked by the return of the other great Ray Ban classic: The Wayfarer! Designed in 1952, Wayfarers were not only a new style, but also the first plastic sunglasses! They were worn by Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, John Lennon and many other stars, particularly in the world of music. And as you’re a star (in your own bathroom), you can wear Wayfarers too!

(Your talent might not have been recognised yet in which case you can find a way to adopt the Wayfarer style for a bit less below

£19 on Not Designer