The brand synonymous with fashion-forward influencer-endorsed sunglasses, Le Specs is certainly having a moment.
Hailing from Australia, Le Specs gained icon status in the mid-80s, offering customers a chic, European sensibility. Relaunched in 2006, Le Specs has become the ultimate cool hunter, seeking out avant-garde designers and artists to deliver sought-after collaborations and amassing a cult-like following in the process.
The latest collab in question comes by way of Sydney-born and raised, New York-based jewellery designer and sculptor Jordan Askill.
Chances are you’ve seen his ‘Petit Panthère’ style from the Le Specs Luxe x Jordan Askill limited edition sunglass collection doing the rounds on Instagram, more specifically, on the faces of Bella Hadid, Sofia Ritchie, P.E Nation’s Pip Edwards and Lara Worthington.
Bringing together a series of bold, directional shapes in refined translucent colours paired with signature black and gold designer hardware, the Le Specs Luxe x Jordan Askill collaboration has “allowed [Le Specs] to bring a new conspicuous aesthetic” to the brand, says Le Specs creative director Hamish Tame.
Hamish and Jordan were introduced by a mutual friend at 10 magazine – the topic of jewellery on sunglasses came up in conversation and the new collection was born.
“I wanted to mix the allure of designing for Lily-Rose Depp and Frances Bean Cobain. We hoped that the customer would be attracted to jewellery pieces we created, and be able to always carry them and see them as precious symbols,” says Jordan.
“I’ve always been interested in the idea of eyewear,” says Jordan of the collection.
“I chose a motif that I often use in my jewelry to enable a close relationship between both brands, so I adapted my ‘Gold Panther’ which features on the side of the sunglasses arm. The final Le Specs Luxe designs are a play on iconic Egyptian symbols and classic eyewear of the past: the golden panther in mid-athletic motion.”
More information
The Le Specs Luxe x Jordan Askill collection is accompanied by a gold metal sunglass chain, special edition box, hard case, and soft-touch pouch.
The collection will be stocked worldwide at leading department stores, fashion retailers and lespecs.com from 12 April 2018.
