Eyewear and Cinema: 6 Oscar Glasses
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What's the first thing that comes to mind if I tell you Breakfast at Tiffany's? Do you remember Mastroianni's most iconic accessory in Otto e Mezzo ? What makes Miranda Priestly so fascinating in The Devil Wears Prada?
If you answered “The glasses!” without thinking about it for a moment, then you are definitely an eyewear lover with excellent taste in films... and style, obviously!
Just like music and TV series, cinema shows us how glasses are much more than a simple accessory.
The right eyewear transforms a simple character into a protagonist full of charisma, capable of conquering the audience in the room and rewriting the rules of fashion.
Do you want to find out which glasses have made the history of cinema and fashion? Then continue reading!
Breakfast at Tiffany’s : Hollywood's Manhattans
Did you know that Hollywood stars never wore sunglasses while filming?
Well yes, for many years glasses were an exclusive feature of male characters. It was thought that dark lenses, hiding the eyes, did not do justice to the beauty of the actresses.
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But everything changes in 1961, when Breakfast at Tiffany's arrives at the cinema . |
Inspired by Truman Capote's novel, Breakfast at Tiffany's is the film that transformed sunglasses into a must-have for women's fashion.
Winner of 2 Oscars, the film tells of the meeting between the aspiring writer Paul and the irreverent Holly Golightly, an elegant and ditzy New Yorker played by the unforgettable Audrey Hepburn.
From the little black dress by Givenchy to the Tiffany & Co. jewels, Audrey Hepburn's image is taken care of down to the smallest detail by the extraordinary costume designer Edith Head.
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Edith Head herself chooses to give a pop touch to Holly Golightly's haute couture outfits with an iconic pair of Manhattan sunglasses by Oliver Goldsmith. |
This accessory embodies the enigmatic and disenchanted personality of the protagonist, who wears them at all times of the day, carelessly placing them on her forehead, under her nose and even chews on the acetate temples when she is lost in thought.
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With their round and slightly elongated shape, these glasses inaugurate a new way of dressing , made up of playful combinations that nonchalantly mix casual accessories and catwalk looks. |
A distinctive mark of Audrey Hepburn's sophisticated style , Oliver Goldsmith's sunglasses are the perfect choice for those who love to show off true movie star eyewear.
The acetate frame with tortoiseshell effect of the Manhattan is in fact perfect for elevating casual daytime looks and for giving a Hollywood allure to your evening outfits !
Eight and a half: Prada charm
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Who said that the coolest cinema is only American? When it comes to trendsetters and eyewear style, Italy certainly has the lead! |
This is demonstrated by Marcello Mastroianni, an Italian star with a breathtaking style and protagonist of one of the most beautiful films of our cinema: Otto e Mezzo.
Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1964, Otto e Mezzo is director Federico Fellini's masterpiece which tells of the inner journey of a man struggling with an existential crisis.
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But how can an existential crisis go hand in hand with iconic eyewear looks ? The answer is simple: thanks to Marcello Mastroianni ! |
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Set in a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere, Mastroianni conquers the screen with his leading man charm and the outfits of a true fashion icon. |
Square-tipped ties, Borsalino fedoras and spread-collar shirts make up Mastroianni's sober and elegant style in Otto e Mezzo. But it is the Prada sunglasses that make these looks an explosion of style.
Through these glasses with an essential design , Mastroianni's character observes the reality around him with detachment, taking advantage of the dark smoked lenses to take refuge in a world made of childhood memories and games.
In Italy and abroad - especially in the States ! – the success of Otto e Mezzo was such that Marcello Mastroianni's style inaugurated a new trend for men's fashion.
It goes without saying, Prada sunglasses sold like hotcakes. And in fact the model shown in the film remains one of the most popular of the brand even today!
Blues Brothers: Wayfarer to the beat of music
All eyewear addicts own at least one pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers . But only an eyewear addict who loves cinema knows the history of this model of glasses
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Created in 1952 by designer Raymond Stageman, Wayfarers were the first lightweight, anti-reflective sunglasses to hit the market. |
Designed to be worn by US Air Force pilots, these glasses became a real status symbol among young Americans in the economic boom.
This success, however, seemed to stop with the arrival of the '70s and the new eyewear trends inspired by the boho style of the flower children, so much so that Ray-Ban began to think about canceling the Wayfarer from its production.
What saved this iconic model from disappearing? That's right, it was the cinema !In 1980, a musical comedy starring a crackling duo of actors and musicians debuted in theaters: John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the Blues Brothers.
The first work by director John Landis, The Blues Brothers tells the daring story of two brothers who try to redeem the orphanage in which they grew up through scams, deception and incredible blues songs.
The film immediately becomes a cult . All thanks to the impeccable soundtrack and the friendliness of the two protagonists, of course, but also to a super spot-on style.
An elegant and gangster outfit constitutes the wardrobe of the two protagonists: black tailored suit, white shirt, well-tied tie, trilby hat pulled down on the forehead.
And to cover your eyes, them: our Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.
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This original choice contributed not only to the unexpected success of the film but also to the relaunch of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, which once again became the most popular eyewear among music and cinema stars ! |
From Michael Jackson to Madonna, from Tom Cruise in Risky Business to Leonardo di Caprio in The Wolf of Wall Street : thanks to Blues Brothers, Wayfarers have become a staple piece in the eyewear wardrobe of those who love the inimitable style of timeless designs .
The Devil wears Prada ... but with Versace glasses
Much more than a simple film: The Devil Wears Prada is the handbook for all people who love fashion and haute couture.
There is no need for much introduction for thBetween sensational outfits and pressing irony, The Devil Wears Prada gave us the style gems that have changed our idea of ??workwear forever.is film nominated for 2 Oscars in 2007, in which the iconic Meryl Streep plays the role of the feared fashion editor Miranda Priestly..
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Between sensational outfits and pressing irony, The Devil Wears Prada gave us the style gems that have changed our idea of ??workwear forever. |
But Miranda Priestly's superb looks also demonstrate how the right pair of glasses can completely transform our attitude , in the office and in life.
In the main scenes of the film, Meryl Streep's character does not fail to show off incredible glasses to enhance her business woman aura . Miranda Priestly hides her thoughts and emotions behind the lenses, letting only self confidence and charisma shine through.
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The designs worn by Miranda Priestly are countless, but only one has left an indelible mark in our hearts: the rounded cat-eye with ombré lenses by Versace. |
It is an eyewear that has conquered the cinema and the catwalks of the biggest international brands , all thanks to Meryl Streep's innate elegance. So there's only one way to bring out your girlboss energy : include this timeless Versace model in your eyewear wishlist !
Her : Warby Parker style tenderness
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A small jewel of melancholy and tenderness, in which the very current theme of AI is accompanied by a soft-underground style. |
Winner of 1 Oscar in 2014, Her is the perfect film for those who love to be pampered by a plot full of emotions and nostalgia.
In the not-too-distant future, the sensitive and lonely Theodore Twombly (played by Joaquin Phoenix) finds his soulmate in the voice of an artificial intelligence-based operating system.
That's all regarding the plot, so as not to risk dangerous spoilers . The beauty of this film, however, is not only in the story it tells, but also in the masterful choice
The shy Theodore dresses in monochrome polo shirts in pastel colours, 70s-style high-waist trousers and very sober warm-toned blazers which give the character a modest and shy air.
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To complete this retro-hipster look, a pair of glasses from the very young brand Warby Parker, founded in 2010 in New York. |
These eyeglasses perfectly embody the simple soul of the protagonist thanks to their design which recalls the grunge vibes of the early 90s.
Her has certainly made an enormous contribution to the reflection on the relationship between human beings and artificial intelligence. But this film also deserves credit for bringing back the hipster-chic style , which continues to be all the rage among the younger generations!
It is no coincidence that Warby Parker has launched one of the coolest eyewear trends of recent years : colored frames , particularly loved by it-girl and influencer Emma Chamberlain.
Barbie: Girly Eyewear Aesthetic
There is a before and there is an after Barbie: The Movie. And he's definitely wearing rose-colored glasses the next.
Nominated for 6 Oscars, the film by the amazing Greta Gerwig finally marked the triumph of the girly aesthetic.
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The very blonde Barbie, played by a divine Margot Robbie, escorts us on a one-way trip to the colorful and hyper-feminine world of Barbieland, where everything kawaii immediately becomes high fashion. |
From the amazing '50s cat-eye of the first Barbie to the irreverent shocking pink frames, this film is a joy for the eyes of us eyewear lovers.
And just as Barbie has made cinema history (no criticism accepted!), her looks have pushed the biggest fashion houses to embrace the Barbiecore aesthetic.
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The result? A riot of iconic frames in all shades of pink, from the heart-shaped glasses by Yves Saint Laurent, to the flower-shaped rimless ones by Chloé up to the super tiny ones by Dolce and Gabbana. |
An honorable mention: Poor Creatures
It takes just a moment to go from Barbie's jaunty style to a steampunk look. Or rather, one film is enough: Poor Creatures by Yorgos Lanthimos.
With 11 Oscar nominations, Poor Creatures earns the distinction of being the most critically acclaimed film thanks to its grotesque and caricatural representation of gender roles.
But if you want to always be one step ahead of eyewear trends, then you have one more reason to recover this cinematic masterpiece .
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Bella Baxter, the protagonist played by Emma Stone, in a scene of the film shows off a pair of futuristic glasses that will certainly remain in our style imagination. |
It is a model inspired by the designs of the Victorian era, characterized by a square shape, dark lenses and curious side fins.
In the 17th century this type of glasses was made of tortoise shell, a material that can no longer be used, and they had the peculiarity of being able to be folded on themselves until they reached a perfect pocket size.
Showing this collector's piece on the big screen was a true marketing move.
The Povere Creature production company has in fact collaborated with the luxury New York brand Selima Optique to produce a line of glasses inspired by those of Bella Baxter. Limited edition, obviously.
And just as obviously these glasses were sold out, so much so that a waiting list was created to purchase the new models arriving soon.
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Here we are at the end of this review of the eyewear looks that have made the history of cinema and eyewear fashion. |
Do you have other films full of glamorous and iconic frames to recommend? Let me know in the comments!