Cheryl Cole blames sunglasses

Were sunglasses to blame for Nicolo Festa being eliminated from the X Factor on Sunday?

The student performed ‘Just Dance’ by Lady GaGa dressed in Ray-Ban Wayfarers in red which were later commented on by the judges.

Judge Cheryl Cole said after his performance ‘I didn’t love it Nicolo. I think the one thing above all that you need, is to redeem that connection and I didn’t like your eyes covered.

Phillip Schofield has also admitted he thought his sunglasses were to blame.

‘Well I think it was a mistake to put glasses on him. If anyone ever comes here as a guest and has sunglasses on, we try very politely to ask them to take them off, because you don’t get to see their eyes. There is a real barrier there.’ He said on This Morning.

Of course we think his sunglasses made instead of break his performance. For decades pop stars have incorporated Ray-Ban Wayfarers as part of their performance. It is the rock star equivalent of a shirt and tie and something no singer should be without. Even Lady GaGa has a pair.

Match your sunglasses to your hair colour

Sunglasses have always been at the forefront of cool, but they are currently having a serious fashion moment, leading designers to think outside the box and create some truly original, contemporary designs. Sunglasses Shop has a variety of designers, with a plethora of colours and shapes at the click of a button. Our team of experts are at hand to help you choose the perfect pair to suit your individual look and lifestyle, but to give you some initial inspiration; here
are a few colour- inspired tips to help you out when browsing our site.

You choose your hair colour to suit your complexion, so extend (and break) those rules when choosing your sunnies.

Hey Blondie: Rich and soft caramels, pastels and creams were rife on the catwalk this season, so go with these on trend tones to compliment your soft colouring. Black metal frames will turn heads when mixed with over sized, ‘look at me’ styles.
Try: Chloe Myrte Ivory or Ray-Ban 3026 Large Aviator Black

Dark and mysterious: Vibrant colours and embellishment such as crystals and gold detailing will add a contrast with stunning results when paired with dark tresses. Frames with tones of plum bring out blue and green eyes and Celtic skin tones, whilst olive skinned beauties can work metallics with panache.
Try: Marc Jacobs 298 Violet or Dior Sport 1 Rose Gold

Rustic beauty: Whether you’re a natural red head, or have gone for vibrant tones of pillar box red, it’s a colour that’s having all the fun this season, with the Mulberry S/S11 show being awash with marching red heads, proving that those who dare, win. Go for white, creams and blacks in cat eye shapes for a retro, screen siren look, or clash with hot pinks and cool blues in over sized 70s frames for a directional finish.
Try: D&G 3061 Honey or Chanel 5196 Light Turquoise

X Factor sunglasses

X Factor contestants Katie Waissel and Storm already look like ready made stars as they stroll through London.

The hopefuls were looking good after making it through to the final stages of the popular TV series. The sun was not exactly sizzling but they both felt the need for sunglasses.

Katie wore a leather jacket with skinny jeans and sporting Clubmaster sunglasses, while Strom grabbed attention by colouring his hair red. No wonder he wore shades too.

Storm was also wearing Clubmaster sunglasses inspired by the popular Ray-Ban version loved and adored by celebrities.

Ray-Ban Clubmaster has a round frame that has become a favourite of Mischa Barton, Robert Pattinson and Paloma Faith. The right lens features a Ray-Ban logo decoration which is cut from quality glass for clear vision. There is also metal detailing on the temples which are expertly crafted by hand. This is vintage Ray-Ban at its ultimate best.

Kate Moss sports sunglasses in the rain

As one of the highest paid supermodels in the world it was easy to see why Kate Moss has been so successful when she wore sunglasses in the pouring rain over the weekend.

She refused to let the rain dampen her style as she enjoyed lunch with boyfriend Jamie Hince in France, where she is shooting for a Dior advertisement.

Despite a distinct lack of sunshine the model sported Ray-Ban 2140 Wayfarers as she attended lunch at Caf de Flore.

Kate is the only celebrity who could get away with wearing sunglasses in the rain. Not to mention leather trousers and a matching leather trim jacket.

If there is one look Kate always nails its Ray-Ban 2140 Wayfarer sunglasses combined with skinny jeans and a blazer combo.

While we love Kate and her effortless fashion sense, wearing sunglasses in the rain is a bit much. But perhaps she had a late night.

No sunglasses if you shop in Edmonton

Edmonton police in the United States have asked people not to wear sunglasses into banks or stores to dissuade robbers.

The programme is based on similar schemes in other parts of the US and United Kingdom, said Staff Sergeant Howard Kunce.

"Ninety-five per cent of the robberies we deal with involve criminals wearing a hood and a ball cap," he said.

Having people remove their sunglasses when entering a store would make it easier to identify criminals, and hopefully deter robbers.

The Wisconsin Bankers Association reportedly had a 47% decrease in bank robberies after adopting a similar program in 2002.

The association placed posters outside all of its branches by the entrance with the words "No hats, no hoods, no sunglasses,".

While police are not asking businesses to confront customers who do not comply, they hope those that refuse to remove their sunglasses will find themselves under greater scrutiny.

Katie to play sunglasses icon Jackie Kennedy

Katie Holmes is to star as Jackie Kennedy in ‘The Kennedy’s’, a new mini series that looks at the relationships between President John F. Kennedy (Greg Kinnear), his brother Robert F. Kennedy (Barry Pepper) and their father Joseph P. Kennedy (Tom Wilkinson).

We think Katie is the ideal choice. Her fashion sense is similar to that of Jackie O and often accessorises with oversized sunglasses – identical to those Jackie favoured following her time in the White House.

The actress wears a vintage inspired frame from the Ray-Ban Jackie Ohh collection that is inspired by Jackie herself.

Ray-Ban Jackie Ohh III allows you to show your are unafraid of taking fashion risks (if the huge numbers of the

Jackie Ohh III that have been sold mean the frame can now be considered a risk), but with the classic look and feel of a beautifully designed pair of sunglasses from a magical era of the White House.

Stars and celebrities love the look and anonymity of Jackie Ohh sunglasses. Ashley Greene wore
Ray-Ban Jackie Ohh in ‘New Moon’ throughout the course of the film.

‘The Kennedy’s’ is set to air on the History Channel in 2011.

How to hide your face from big brother

Hate the idea of somebody tracking your every move around the modern world? Forget the hat and beard, invest in sunglasses instead.

Software developer Alex Kilpatrick says the easiest way fool facial recognition software used by the government is with a dark pair of sunglasses.

“The simplest way to defeat the software is to wear a good pair of sunglasses,” he said. And while normal sunglasses didn’t hinder the software, large dark sunglasses made the wearer incognito.

Become unrecognisable by hiding behind a pair of sunglasses from the Dsquared collection.
Dsquared 0027 is a unisex style of those seen on Jenson Button recently. The frame is handcrafted of acetate which is then decorated with gold metal detailing. A Dsquared signature is engraved across the temple. Dsquared 0027 also comes in Havana. Despite their name these sunglasses are anything but square.

Persol re-launching Steve McQueen collection

Persol is re-launching the foldable sunglasses made famous by fashion and cinematic icon Steve McQueen.

Unfortunately the original pair seen in ‘The Get Away’ and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ sold to a private collector for big bucks a long time ago. But Persol has created a new vintage inspired range for their 2011 collection. And with a much more modest price tag.

But in recreating the sunglasses of one of the greatest ever male fashion icons, Persol has gone even better by hand sculpting the frames from one sheet of acetate. Not to be left out, the temple is decorated with a supreme silver arrow, which as we all know is an iconic Persol signature. The sunglasses come in more colours now too.

The brand is also launching a new ad campaign for SS 2011 featuring photographs of McQueen sporting his Persol 0714, shot by acclaimed photographer William Claxton.

79,000 replica sunglasses siezed at LA port

Custom officials have seized nearly 79,000 pairs of replica designer sunglasses in Southern California.

A statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the sunglasses are similar to the Gucci and Emporio Armani shown, which were sized at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The glasses arrived in three shipments from China. They are not counterfeits but could be confused with the genuine article, say the agency.

Customs spokesman, Jaime Ruiz, says they cannot determine the street value of the sunglasses. But the RRP of a similar-sized shipment of designer sunglasses would be approximately $12million.

Millions at wheel with incorrect vision

We were shocked after reading an article claiming more than 5.3 million motorists take to the wheel with incorrect vision.

A research programme commissioned by motor insurer LV= revealed that 45 percent of UK motorists are prescribed glasses. But 1 in 10 fails to always wear them while driving. A further 23 percent confessed that their eyesight is not perfect, 11 percent have difficulty seeing at night and a further 6 percent cannot see in poor weather.

John O’Rouke, LV= managing director, said 'Driving with poor eyesight is a criminal offence and can result in a fine,' adding, 'It might also invalidate insurance.'

Most common reasons cited for not having their eyes tested included not having enough money or time.

It is essential to have your eyes checked every 2 years and to wear either prescription glasses
or sunglasses while driving

For more information about wearing prescription frames, visit Sunglasses Shop prescription website

Who wore it best? Ashley Tisdale Vs Ashley Greene

Ashley Tisdale and Ashley Greene played a game of shades snap when they both stepped out in the same pair of Prada sunglasses. But which stylish star rocked them the best?

Ashley (Tisdale) was first to wear the 04MS, when she wore it to an appointment at her local beauty salon in February.

The High School Musical actress teamed the sexy and studded design with a Louis Vuitton shopper and a blue hooded jacket.

Ashley (Greene) wore the very same pair while filming for her new movie LOL: Laugh Out Loud in Paris last month.

The Twilight actress wore a slightly different colour of the oversized frame with a Gucci handbag and a black waistcoat.

Their Prada sunglasses display a heavy dose of studs on both arm and temple for contrast and
texture. The iconic Prada logo is hand placed onto the temple to really accentuate those sexy studs and authenticity. The glamorous and glossy frame is handmade of acetate and
available in several colours to choose from including bold blue gradient and hot havana.

Two stylish stars, one designer sunglass - but who do you think wore it best?

Romeo Beckham signs designer sunglasses deal

Romeo Beckham is to follow in the footsteps of his mother Victoria Beckham by designing his own range of designer sunglasses.

The eight-year-old has reportedly signed on to create a line of designer sunglasses for children his own age.

A friend of the Beckham family told the Daily Mirror, "Romeo has a real eye for fashion.

"He has strong opinions on what works and what doesn't, and has been badgering David and Victoria for months about designing his own sunglasses. It is no passing whim - Victoria said she'd only back the project if he was certain he wanted to do it."

"There is a gap in the market for designer kids' shades that are 100% UV protected and trendy.

"The glasses are made especially for children and will have a cool 'RB' motif on one arm. The range was originally going to be called Bambino Beckham.

Victoria and David Beckham are both said to be thrilled at his ambition.

In March, singer-turned-fashion-designer Victoria told Grazia, "I think that my middle son thinks that he is going to take over. Romeo likes to get involved"

"He likes to go out in a suit with a bowler hat… he's a real fashion lover."

We expect the aspiring fashion designer will call upon his young celebrity pals, as well as eleven-year-old Cruz and five-year-old Brooklyn Beckham to model the frames.

Tod's sets its sights on eyewear

Tod’s debut collection of sunglasses is coming to Sunglasses Shop, we are happy to report.

The luxury leather goods brand has teamed up the Marcolin Group - one of the leading players in the eyewear industry – and recently announced the worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames.

Diego Della Valle, President and C.E.O. of the Tod’s Group, stated: “Entering the realm of eyewear represents a further enrichment of the Tod’s and Hogan product ranges, which are already synonymous of the utmost quality for footwear, handbags, accessories and apparel. Marcolin is representative of excellence in the eyewear industry for their skilful capability to develop unique products, of the highest quality standards and design content, in alignment with the positioning of both brands.”

Maurizio Marcolin, Style & Licensing Officer of the Marcolin Group, declared: “We are deeply satisfied to work on the creation of the Tod’s and Hogan eyewear collections, brands that are a reference for luxury and contemporary lifestyle. We share the values of excellence, quality and creativity – essential for the development of products affiliated with brands of this caliber – and upon which we count for the future growth of the Group.”

The sunglasses collection will offer styles both for men and women. Most of the sunglasses are entirely made in Italy, by hand. Including frames with genuine hand stitched leather on the temple.

Tod’s sunglasses will be available from mid October.

Oakley 3D glasses coming soon

The use of 3D sunglasses in cinemas has prompted HDTV manufacturers like Samsung and Mitsubishi to release 3D-ready displays based upon DLP technology.

One online article explains ‘3D technology these days relies upon more advanced glasses than the red and blue plastic lenses of yesteryear. Modern generations wirelessly sync with the display source and use LCDs to create a stereoscopic 3D effect. Most existing glasses, however, are large, clunky, uncomfortable, and certainly not stylish.’

However, this may be about to change as Luxottica, one of the best manufacturers in the world of premium eyeglasses and sunglasses, have recently partnered with Kerner Optical to produce designer 3D sunglasses

The first products of the joint undertaking will be available next year, in the form of Oakley eyewear which is one of the bestselling brands in the world of sunglasses next to Ray-Ban.

Founder of Kerner Optical, Yuska Siuicki, says, "They are much more comfortable than what is out there now, and the lenses will soon be available in prescription. This space is exploding."

Miami Vice star surprises Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was not the only one dishing out surprises during the premiere of her final season.

The big surprise of the night was a special performance by music icon Paul Simon who performed an updated version of the Oprah-centric song he penned for the host 15 years ago, which became the theme tune for the 10th season of the show.

But it was the second surprise of the night, as earlier her producers had surprised her after a retrospective clip package in which it was revealed that she bribed actor Don Johnson with Dom Perignon and rhinestone sunglasses in an attempt to secure him as the first guest on the national version of her show.

He turned her down.

But more than 20 years later, the Machete star appeared to right his wrong doings—and return those sunglasses.

He said, 'I know it has taken me about 24 years to get these back to you,'

'For clarity, I was shooting 18-20 hours a day at the time and it's not that I didn't want to come, they wouldn't let me come.'

As well as rhinestone covered sunglasses, the 50-year-old also has a penchant for big, bold and beautiful eyewear.

Oprah has previously been caught sporting Dsquared 0019 sunglasses from the 2009 collection.

The likes of Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum, Denise Van Outen and Myleene Klass have been wearing these but do not let that discern you because the Dsquared sunglasses collection caters for both males and females. Dsquared is also popular with Tyrese Beckford and Jenson Button.

Young risk blindness by picking sunglasses for style

A recent survey has unearthed around 80 percent of people aged under 25-years-old put fashion before protection when choosing their shades, according to the College of Optometrists.

But the sun can be as harmful to the eye as it is to the skin.

UVA rays are long and infiltrating and can pass through at the front of the eye and damage the lens. They are thought to be a leading cause of blindness in the UK.

UVB rays damage the skin and cause sunburn. They can be absorbed by the cornea, causing growths on the white of the eye.

While most sunglasses offer 100 per cent protection from both UVA and UVB, not all do.

But it is not just the eyes that need protecting.

'The eyelids are the most common area of the body to develop skin cancer,' says Hugo Henderson, consultant ophthalmologist at the London Clinic.

'So you need glasses to fit all the way round the eyes to protect delicate areas of skin that are thinner and more vulnerable.'

For unbeatable protection against sun burn, UVB and UVA rays, we recommend Oakley Frogskins Black Polarised sunglasses.

Oakley Frogskins sunglasses take on the traditional Wayfarer design with the Oakley hallmark that is displayed on the temple. The frame body is made using a Three-Point-Fit-System to ensure the sunglasses do not slip and stay in place.

Available in polarised and standard versions, the Frogskins has a wide range of colours including antifreeze, grenade and rootbeer. Also great as driving sunglasses, the polarised versions will prevent unwanted glare from car bonnets as you cruise.

The square fit creates a sport look that is both casual and athletic. The end result is an authentic statement piece that is bold, iconic and distinctly Oakley.

Polaroid to unveil 2011 sunglasses collection in Cannes

Polaroid will be presenting its 2011 sunglasses collection at the TFWA World Exhibition, where it will be showcasing for the first time.

For the collection the brand has replaced bold brash logos in favour of more traditional and classic design.

Polaroid Eyewear Global Travel Retail Manager Rebecca Harwood Lincoln said: “Our 2011 sunglasses collection combines great styling with our ground-breaking technology for 100% UV protection UltraSight polarized lenses and sensible pricing, giving customers everything they want and more, from their Polaroid sunglasses.

“We have also developed our first ever eco-friendly sunglasses made from renewable materials, as part of our association with the PlanetSolar challenge to navigate around the world using only solar power.”

Polaroid provides polarised sunglasses in the styles of current designer models for a fraction of the price.

Polarised sunglasses reduce stress and fatigue on the eyes caused by reflective horizontal surfaces. Light waves travel in all different directions and while some prove useful to the human eye, enabling us to see, others such as horizontal light reflect off of reflective surfaces such as paving, snow and water, which results in white, blinding glare.

Inside every Polaroid lens is a vertically-aligned polarising layer which disallows horizontal light to pass through. This reduces squinting, eye strain and headaches, as well as enabling you to see the true colours of the world around you.

Each pair of Polaroid sunglasses has an online price of £36 (price subject to change) providing exceptional value for money. One pair of Polaroid sunglasses simply is not enough, but at these prices you can easily stretch to two or more pairs.

Acid attack victim: Sunglasses saved my vision

A mother has revealed how a pair of sunglasses saved her daughter’s eyesight after a passer-by threw acid into her face.

Bethany Storro had just purchased a pair of sunglasses when a woman approached her with a cup and said: ‘Hey pretty girl, do you want to drink this?’

The acid in the cup was then thrown on the 28-year-old who fell to the ground in pain as the skin on her face bubbled and disintegrated.

Speaking for the first time since the attack, she said: "It was the most painful thing ever."

"My heart stopped. It ripped through my clothing the instant it touched my shirt; I could feel it burning through my second layer of skin."

With her head wrapped in bandages, she laughingly marvelled how her eyesight was
spared just minutes after she bought those sunglasses.

Her mother Nancy Neuwelt also pointed to the fact her daughter was wearing sunglasses, something she does not normally do, as "hand of God protecting her eyes".

Bethany has since had cosmetic surgery to remove dead skin from the areas that were most deeply injured.

Despite all she has been through, Bethany has insisted that she would not let the attack in Vancouver destroy her life.

A manhunt has been launched to find the woman responsible for the attack, described as a black woman with black hair in a pony tail.

Introducing Mosley Tribes

The new collection of sunglasses from Mosley Tribes arrived just today.

Founded by Oliver Peoples Creative Director Larry Leight in 2005, the brand combines the design, knowledge and aesthetic of Oliver Peoples with various inspirations from the active lifestyle and sports performance worlds.

Mosley Tribes designs are modern interpretations of timeless classics that combine fashion and function. Already recognised for its unique versions of the double-bridge aviator style, its sunglasses are the choice of fashion-forward trendsetters, including Jay-Z, Reese Witherspoon and David Beckham, and deserve pride of place in any collection.

Our favourite design is the Mosley Tribe Becker. Its sleek metal frame features pops of colour and logo detailing on the temple. These sunglasses will suit a variety of different styles and tastes. The metal frame will match virtually anything, and the rectangular shape of the lenses will flatter most face shapes. Even better, the Becker comes in a choice of gold or silver and has an RRP of £106.

Just in: Details of the 2010/11 Dsquared collection

For this season Dsquared has once again designed a mishmash of shapes in all manner of shades. Each model strikes in terms of design and everything you would expect from a brand as daring and dynamic as Dsquared.

The AW2010/11 collection consists of 17 new models (including those shown below) designed especially for those who love to express themselves through bold and original design that not only catches the eye, but leaves a long and lasting impression.

It follows the previous collection seen on supermodel Lara Stone for the Dsquared 2009/10 ad campaign.

The campaign featured the Dutch model wearing Dsquared sunglasses 0044 01E. It also featured Iris Strubegger wearing Dsquared model 0046 01A.

Lara was first discovered in the Paris Metro and took part in the Elite Model Look competition in 1999 when she was just 15.

She signed with modelling agency IMG in 2006 and began walking the catwalk for some of the most influential designer brands in the world; Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Lanvin, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Balmain, Celine, Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana and Hugo Boss.

She has also appeared for Jaeger, Eres and most recently DSquared for AW2009/10.

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