Sunglasses have, for a long time, played a big part in Dior‘s collections, ever since the Raf Simons era. I mean, how could we forget the innovative DiorSplit eyewear which came with a contrast coloured thick “stripe” right through the middle of the lenses, a that we haven’t seen anywhere else before prior to its introduction?

Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri continues in this tradition, by highlighting eyewear as one of the key elements that completes a “look”. Case in point: Dior‘s Autumn/Winter 18 runway show. For those of you who managed to catch the show either live or via the on-demand service, you’d have noticed that all the models came down the runway with a pair of sunglasses. Known as DiorColorQuake, the oversized squarish sunglasses were inspired by emblematic 1970s designs, particularly the Youthquake era in fashion.

The Youthquake (a term coined by Diana Vreeland, Vogue‘s then Editor-in-Chief), which actually had its roots London in the 1960s, was a big turning point in fashion history, coinciding with the changes in art, pop culture as well as music, particularly the rise in British rock, most notably, the Beatles.

Dubbed as the era of the “Swinging Sixties”, the youth turned away from the couture houses and high-end fashion, and looked towards the high street and “cooler” brands like Mary Quant, Halston, and Biba. It’s precisely this vibrant energy that emanated from the younger generation in search for a “new kind of cool” that served as inspirations for the new DiorColorQuake sunnies. After all, what could be cooler than a a square silhouette that’s almost mask-like? 

Sure, micro sunnies are trending right now, but I still prefer the oversized variety any day. Not just because they’re more practical and can actually do the job they’re intended to (i.e. protecting our eyes from the sun), they also exude that sense of nonchalance way more effectively.

Oh if you’re not a fan of the square shape, the “wayfarer-esque”shape, called the DiorColorQuake 2 is also available. Both styles are available in a range of bright hues, including yellow, blue, green and pink.

Images courtesy of Dior