Shady Lady
Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and Italian fashion house Fendi have joined forces to create the ultimate finishing touches for your SS19 wardrobe
Renowned for its blockbuster fashion partnerships, Gentle Monster’s latest collaboration is one of its most exciting to date. Teaming up with Fendi, the South Korean optical brand has created a capsule eyewear collection – called GENTLE FENDI (manufactured and distributed by Safilo) – that sleekly espouses the Seoul-born label’s innovative flair with the Italian fashion house’s time-honored craftsmanship. Coming in two unisex styles, there’s something to suit all sartorial inclinations.
First up, tapping into Gentle Monster’s experimental aesthetic and ticking off the chic micro cat-eye trend, are the Gentle Fendi No.1 style. Their chic, geometrical lenses are printed with bold logos across the corners, making them instantly stand out. With pink and lime-green lenses, and tortoiseshell frames and arms, they instantly appeal to maximalists; to really make them pop, style them with neat tailoring in black and white checks or houndstooth, and at the weekend with a simple striped Breton tee and jeans. No.1 also comes in a timeless black version that is destined to be a front-row favorite. Enigmatic and elegant, they lend a quirky-cool finishing touch to classic pieces, as well as more fashion-forward outfits.
“Teaming up with Fendi, the South Korean optical brand has created a capsule eyewear collection – called GENTLE FENDI – that sleekly espouses the Seoul-born label’s innovative flair
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Innovation is key to Gentle Monster’s DNA, and while its unique design sensibility attracts those with fearless sartorial inclinations, Gentle Fendi No.2 will also satisfy more minimalist taste buds. These classic teardrop-style aviators come in sophisticated black or silver lenses – each with a different pop of color highlighting the bridge. The black shades (with a yellow bridge) are perfect for offsetting this season’s pared-back ’90s-inspired workwear, so style them with strong-shouldered blazers and tailored pants in on-trend teal, caramel and beige. Meanwhile, the silver style (with an orange bridge) lend a directional edge to off-duty combat pants and acid-wash denim. Dress them down at the weekend with a loose cotton T-shirt and a belt bag, and up for al-fresco events with slingback kitten heels and a sequin top.
Launched in 2011 by Korean creative Hankook Kim, Gentle Monster aims to create expressive eyewear that pushes design boundaries but is still ultra-flattering and wearable. Inspired by vintage silhouettes but firmly rooted in futurism, its unique design aesthetic naturally appeals to trendsetters such as Eva Chen, Gigi Hadid, Rihanna and Aimee Song. Joining forces with Fendi, a heritage house defined by color and playful proportions, has proven to be a match made in heaven. So, whether you’re heading off for a sun-drenched city escape or jetting beachside, they promise to slot effortlessly into your SS19 wardrobe.