Summer is synonymous with sunglasses and this coming season should be no exception.
Upending a boom in fabulous eyewear, New York-based Vint and York makes foppish frames inspired by the 1920s. Citing the rebelliousness of a flapper girl with her rolled-down stockings, the downturned brim of a felt fedora or the spire of the Chrysler Building, the brand is out to make new icons.
Already, they’ve attracted a celebrity following in NYC, including the likes of Alan Cumming, who covered the inaugural issue of Observer’s new redesign. The nattily dressed actor (who stars in the Broadway revival of Cabaret with actress Michelle Williams, left) favors the keyhole nose bridge and retro-cool round lenses of The Owl, while we are partial to the two-tone pairs with contrast stems that have quite an Art Deco feel to them.
To keep prices low ($109 – $129), President/Founder Larisa Ginzburg and Dmitriy Israel, Vice President of Operations sell their stylish specs and sunglasses online, price inclusive of shipping. You can also get prescription pairs, if you send them your grade details. But what sets them apart is their trial policy: you can order a few pairs to try on at home and send back the ones you don’t like. All in favor, say ‘eye.’