Round Up: Our Favourite Fans of the Round-Eye Spectacle
An article to align with the launch of a new round-eye frame, written for Cubitts' online journal.
Round-eye spectacles are almost as old as optics itself, with many a medieval monk and/or scholar depicted in some form of circular eye apparatus, but it wasn’t until the mid 20th century that the round-eye became a true style icon. Since then this silhouette has graced a plethora of influential faces, from artists to actresses (and everything in between).
In honour of our newest round-eye, Percy, we’ve rounded up five of our favourite wearers for a lesson in circular spectacle dressing.
Le Corbusier
The Swiss-French pioneer of modern architecture revolutionised city living, but his signature angular buildings are in sharp contrast with the curves of the round-eye spectacles he was renowned for wearing. Though the styles fluctuated through the years, one thing never changed: those thick, black rims.
Marlene Dietrich
A Hollywood icon and owner of the world’s most gravity-defying eyebrows, Marlene Dietrich also had seriously good taste in sunglasses. She was frequently photographed sporting a pair of round-eyes beneath her wide-brimmed hats and perfectly coiffed curls. Was it because they accentuated her trademark eyebrows? We don’t know, but we know we like it.
David Hockney
One of the most influential British artists of the 20th century, David Hockney is oft-associated with pastel colours, palm trees, and swimming pools. He carries his love of colour right through to his clothes, from pink ties to sage green cardigans, with a large round-eye spectacle serving as a final flourish; the cherry on top, if you will.
Sandy Powell
Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell has conceived the wardrobes of some of the biggest films in recent history, from The Favourite to The Wolf of Wall Street, but it’s her personal style we’re interested in. Known for gracing the red carpet in a bevy of beautiful tailoring, she completes every outfit with a pair of thick, black round-eye spectacles.
Wassily Kandinsky
The Moscow-born master of abstract art and serious colour-enthusiast Wassily Kandinsky was a long-time supporter of the round spectacle. While he often favoured a rimless pair, we think this tall-lensed, translucent-rimmed style is particularly fetching on him.
Barton Fink
The only fictional character on our list, but one with an exceptionally fine pair of spectacles, Barton Fink is instantly recognisable by his round-eyes. The Coen Brothers’ creation, played by John Turturro, favours a slimmer rim than many of his counterparts on this list, adding a 1930s feel to his LA-based breakdown.
https://www.cubitts.com/journal/round-up-our-favourite-fans-of-the-round-eye-spectacle/
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