A sight for sore eyes

Summer – a time for new swimwear and, even more crucially, new sunglasses, the essential accessory that says so much about us when we might be wearing little else. 

These are the brief months (okay, sometimes weeks) when we all lighten up a little, seem to have more fun and smile at more people more often. 

So take a minute to check out the New Zealand designer Karen Walker’s Forever 1^st Summer 2013 sunglasses campaign ‘Advanced Style’ if you want a big fat smile right now.  Created by photographer Ari Seth Cohen (advancedstyle.blogspot.com.au) whose blog is ‘dedicated to the sartorial savvy and wisdom of the senior set’ and who describes himself as an ‘old lady expert, creator of Advanced Style and lover of all things vintage’ this is an inspirational collection showing Walker’s bold, oversized and colourful collection of 31 sunglass designs for 2013, modeled brilliantly by Joyce Carpati, Linda Rodin, Lynn Dell and Ilona Royce Smithkin.  What’s so special?  All the models are flamboyant, strong and sassy – the kind of women who know what they are about and aren’t going to take no for an answer.  They just happen to be aged between 65 and 92 – bringing a whole new perspective to the concept of ‘advanced style’ and ‘forever 1^st summer’.  Photographed by Ari in their own homes, you can’t deny the strength and wit of the images in front of you – even if you question some of the wallpaper choices.  If we’re gonna grow old – this is the way to do it.