The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023 - Issue 33

biteglasses Cristina Lloyd delves into ‘queen of sunglasses’ Anna-Karin Karlsson’s luxurious and glamorous eyewear world and admires her intricate creations. Anna-Karin Karlsson A t age 19, Anna-Karin worked at one of London’s oldest and most renowned op- ticians. She first experienced sunglasses as a child when a friend’s mother re- turned from Florida with a pair in ‘80s glam. However, her passion for eyewear grew after trying on a pair of Christian Roth sunglasses. She progressed quickly in the business and created bespoke eyewear for global royalty, aristocrats, business persons, fashionistas and the general public. Eventually, she worked the trade and fashion shows, setting fashion-forward trends. Her background in art, acting and interest in the gritty UK underground mu- sic scene enhanced her unique vision and style while respecting the traditional skills of bespoke eyewear design. Two years after establishing Anna-Karin Karls- son in 2011, the Swedish designer received the prestig- ious Guldknappen award from the Swedish magazine, Damernas Värld , recognised for her acclaimed ‘Perfect- ing the Art of Dying Alone’ collection. “I surround myself with beautiful objects, things that make life less harsh, but it does not need to be extrava- gant or glamorous,” the designer once said. “I can find beauty in almost anything.” Anna-Karin Karlsson uses art and music as creative processes with designs orig- inating from a song, poem, vision or story that sym- bolises an event in her life. Initially, she sees her work as cinematic scenes, visualising characters, set designs, costumes and a musical score with a name and story. Her highly symbolic collections refer to her loved ones, like her daughter Lily and her sister Rose, or a pivotal moment in her life. It could be a tribute to an inspira- tional person like the late fashion legend Isabella Blow, whom she worked with in her early years, or a group of people such as front covers or queens. Since time is her canvas, an idea could remain with the designer over long periods until it is realised and requires time to be perfected. Anna-Karin Karlsson’s luxuriously classic and glamor- ous eyewear collections feature bold designs, vivid pat- terns and carved flowers. The edgy and artistic frames are adorned with bird, animal, and floral prints, while the cat-eye, rectangular and square sunglasses display impeccable finishes with whimsical humour. Each piece encrusted with precious metal or gemstones, avant-gar- de shapes and quirky details is a vision of meticulous craftsmanship and divine composition. The collection pieces include Rose et la Mer (named af- ter her sister) with a leopard lying across the left frame, and Alice Goes to Cannes in black or leopard print that takes the wearer into the world of fairy tales. Mourning for Miss Blow is dedicated to Isabella Blow, and Black Horse is inspired by the song ‘One Trick Pony’ the de- signer wrote herself. Kitten Noir and Kitten Noir Leo have the two pointed upper frame top bent forward, while When Trouble Came to Town is more prominent. Coco and the Row has a snake print frame, and Isola Ella in baby blue is encrusted with beaded strips on a black background across the upper frame. Leila and the Ever Changing Sun, also in leopard print, has large beads on the frame and temple edges. The square-shaped futur- istic-looking After the Rain sunglasses has beaded edg- ing on the top frame, and Rose Rouge is decorated with roses on the right frame. Cause I Flipping Can is similar but encrusted with cream roses across the frame top. One of Anna-Karin’s early collection themes, ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, reflected change, love, success and the things we do within a less ordinary life. Mourning for Miss Blow was reimagined in black lace, and Lion had a distinctive gold lion emblem in the centre. Mademoi- selle d’Or and Coco on the Run featured gold decorative graphics across the frame, and Cause I Flipping Can was given a new look in leopard print with black roses across the frame top. The lavishly glamorous SS23 haute couture ‘For A Life Less Ordinary’ optical and sunglasses collection is con- trasted by strong, sharp lines and avant-garde designs. It features 24-karat gold, white gold, rosé gold and ti- tanium with embellishments of pearls, emerald stones, handset crystals and diamonds. White Moon in tobacco, black, jade, pink or red has a stainless steel and 24-kar- at gold plated frame with Carl Zeiss lenses, designed to take you from sunlight to starry skies and day play to night games. Lucky Goes to Vegas cat-eye sunglasses in black and white zebra, cerise zebra, leopard, solid black, black crystal, emerald crystal or ice crystal are bejewelled Queen of Sunglasses