Rose tinted glasses

I’ve always been stumped by the term “cool” but whatever it is, I know I’m not it. 2 girls I think are seen by most to fit within its vague and fickle boundaries are the Olsen twins. I love those girls- sure, I have some (mainly fur related) issues with them, but they were a definite cultural presence in my tween years, as sad as that may be to admit. I mean who didn’t love Passport to Paris? Made for TV movie heaven, honestly.

Anyway I’m getting side tracked. The Row’s new sunglasses collection in collaboration with Linda Farrow, (who else?) has landed, and predictably, I am loving it. The Olsens are renowned for creating clothes and accessories that closely mirror their personal style, and these are no exception. It makes their brand truly aspirational. What better marketing technique than the twins being seen wearing their own designs? You couldn’t buy better advertising!

For example, these rose tinted glasses are rather similar to the John Lennon style Mary Kate has been sporting for a while now.

And Ashley’s slightly more “chic” style is often topped off with a pair of 70s frames…

I’m not one for spending a lot on sunglasses (or on much else really) but I have to admire the simplicity of what the Olsens are doing- designing what they love, and doing it well. Obviously there are a lot of designers who never wear the types of things they design, particularly less ready to wear stuff such as Rodarte, but I think subconsciously there’s a trust built up around the Olsens; they actually believe in their stuff, because it’s the kind of thing they’ve been wearing for years, and it’s timeless and that whole “effortless casual” stuff that sometimes I hate but ultimately love because I’m lazy and often end up wearing plain tshirts and black skirts and trousers. Wow that was a long sentence.