Category: Classics

Garrett Leight continues his fathers legacy

Finally we had the pleasure to see the Garrett Leight‘s very first eyewear collection. As a son of the founder of Oliver Peoples, Larry Leight, he has chosen to extend his fathers legacy in designing classic spectacles. Garrett Leight’s collection has the same tasteful finish as the legendary eyewear brand Oliver Peoples. But even though all the frames are very classic and we can clearly see the heritage from his father, he has added a new touch by using unique colors.

What do you think about the collection?

Oliver Peoples Vintage

Finally, I had the pleasure to see the whole Oliver Peoples Vintage collection in real life. As we’ve been mentioning before it’s a limited edition collection containing 3 classic models: OP-505, Oliver Peoples very first frame, O’Malley, the famous frame worn by Christian Bale in the movie “American Psycho”,  and OP-1955, with it’s significant plastic temple in another color than the front.


The whole Oliver Peoples Vintage collection


O’Malley

OP-1955


OP-505


I really love the whole vintage concept, that even the spectacle cases, the bags and the product sheets are specifically designed for this limited edition collection. This gives the whole collection a genuine feeling of exclusivity!

You can find more pictures at their official website, which is definitely worth a visit – it’s such a beautiful website, with amazing photos of the collection. Check it out (HERE).

The Bonocle Girls’ new glasses

Both Jasmin and I bought ourselves a new pair of glasses this weekend, and ironically we both chose a round, retro/vintage, golden metal frame:



Jasmin’s frame is the thin one, from Savile Row. Mine is the second one, it is a vintage frame from Beau Monde that I found in the Bågar & Glas in Gamla Stan (Old Town) of Stockholm.

Below you can see Jasmin wearing her new Savile Row, it suits exceptionally!

Classic Persol

Persol is a very classic Italian eyewear brand founded in 1917 and several of their glasses feature the characteristic metal arrow hinges. The name is derived from “per il sole”, Italian for “for the sun”. If you find a pair of vintage Persol it says “Ratti” inside the temple and the quality is wonderful. In 1995 Luxottica took over the production of Persol.

One of Persol’s most important figures is definitely  Steve McQueen, who wore Persol 714 with blue lenses in the “Thomas Crown Affair” in 1968 (See picture below). Additional fun fact: the custom pair Steve McQueen wore in the movie was auctioned for $60.000! Steve McQueen also wore another very similar Persol frame called 649 in his every day life.

thomas-crown-affair-rolls-royce
Steve McQueen wearing the Persol 714 with blue lenses in “The Thomas Crown Affair”. Photo from here.


Steve McQueen in Persol. Photo from here.


Marcello Mastroianni in “Divorce Italian Style” wearing the Persol 649. Photo from here.

Persol’s 649 (see picture below) looks exactly like 714 but is not foldable. The 649 was made in 1957 for tram drivers in Turin who needed large glasses to protect their eyes from dust and air. It was made famous in 1961 by Marcello Mastroianni who wore a black pair in “Divorce Italian Style” (See picture above). We really like the 649 in tortoise and green-gray lenses also known as G-15 lenses. Very classic frames, you can rarely go wrong when buying this one.

Persol sunglasses were James Bond’s only choice a few times, both Daniel Craig and Pirece Brosnan wore them as Bond. We could keep namedropping celebrities who’ve worn Persol but we think this is enough for now.