FRESH SIGHT: Victoria Beckham is placing new emphasis on her sunglasses collection. The designer, who launched eyewear in 2009, has enlisted a fresh roster of manufacturers to help “spice” up her collections. The collection was previously manufactured in partnership with Cutler and Gross. She will continue to use their services along with a bevy of other “specialists,” including lens producer Zeiss. “It was important for me to evolve existing styles and develop new pieces for my retail partners and my own store and Web site and we now have the ability to do this,” Beckham said. “For me, it is about the line continuing to expand and incorporating the best materials and techniques possible. It is an exciting time for the category.”
Beckham will debut her new manufacturing initiatives with a capsule collection of colorfully lensed aviator styles that incorporate Zeiss’ handiwork. They will exclusively retail at Barneys New York for $550 for basic styles up to $1,255 for aviators laden in 18-karat gold.
A spokeswoman declined to specify other factories that Beckham has begun working with this season but said they are all located in Italy’s Valdobbiadene region. Further details will be unveiled when Beckham’s new collection launches at eyewear trade show Silmo Paris in September.