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We're sure you're aware of the massive star appeal the Prada Baroque 27NS 1AB3M1 has held since its appearance on the fashion scene. Who wouldn't remember these swooping, circular divas at first sight? Continue Reading

In the same way that Apple came up with the magnetic power cord on their laptops (that meant when you tripped over the wire, you didn't pull the laptop off the desk) Oakley's Switchlock lens change technology is really a "finally, someone's done this right!" moment. Changeable lenses have been around for ages of course, it's a simple concept that is much harder to put into practice - what happens when you've got gloves on? How do you ensure the lens won't fall out in a hard crash? Is it lift up tab 'a' first, or unhook clip 'b'? Yes, interchangeable lenses are generally a hassle; to the point that you'll just live with an 'all-round' lens for every condition. An 'all-round' lens that is kind-of-okay in most light conditions, but never perfect. Cue the Oakley Airbrake.

 

 

 

 

Having previously worn Smith's top of the range I/O goggles with changeable lenses for a season (I ditched them for some tried-and-tested Oakley A-Frames), I was firmly rooted in the 'dubious' camp with these. The only time I would change the lenses would be in the comfort of the chalet, based on the weather that day. I wouldn't even dream of attempting to change lenses at the bottom of a run - I would quickly become 'that guy' that everyone waits for.

We have the Oakley Airbrake In Stock at Pretavoir. Buy them here.

 

The  Airbrake rapidly changed my mind on interchangeable lensed goggles. The first thing I noticed was the rip-cord style tab that you pull in order to release the lens - definitely doable in all but the thickest mitts. Once you've pulled this, simply push the lens outwards from the inside and it comes away. That's it. No using both hands and a knee, trying to get your nail in behind and wondering how much pressure you can give before you break it. Putting a new lens in is almost as simple too: With the lever open, push the left hand side in first, then the right. You'll see it hook in. Then just close the lever and you're done. With practice, I reckon you could swap them on the move. See the quick video below on how to change lenses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG86ALdQDu0

 

 

But what about the other features?

Oakley have, over the years, looked at each aspect of snow goggles and improved it. They've tackled the issues of fogging, comfort, helmet compatibility and lens clarity through evolution from years of research with top athletes. The technology found on their top of the range models gradually filters down into their more affordable pieces all the time, being superseded by newer and better solutions. The Airbrake is no exception to this rule. Let me take you through the features:

 

Triple lined polar fleece foam

Goes around your face, wicks away moisture, keeps you warm and toasty.

 

Oakley F3 Antifog Technology

This is several innovations all working together to keep your lenses clear: A dual lens design with a thermal barrier; vents at the top and bottom of the lens to promote airflow over the inside;  an anti-fog coating on the lens. These all work together to make fogged lenses go the same way as zinc sunblock and fluorescent headbands - a thing of the past.

 

Rigid Front Frame, Flexible Rear Chassis.

The advantage of this is to offer a rigid fix point for the lens, which means the lens won't flex. The advantage of that, is no distortion - the lens is the exact shape its designer intended, all the time. However, some flex in a goggle frame is a good thing: you want it to fit snugly to your head and you need it to flex to fit various different shaped helmets. This best-of-both-worlds system works really well, you get the rigid front to keep the lens in the optimum position,  and the flexible rear chassis ensures comfort and a good fit without any gaps.

 

ANSI Z87.1 Impact Protection

Something that's included in all Oakley lenses, but really becomes useful on a pair of goggles. This standard of impact protection has been tested using a metal spike dropped from 4 feet onto the lens (think ski tip, pole or tree branch). The result shows no shattering of the lens and no material coming in contact with the eye. In the other part of the test, a 1/4 inch steel ball at is shot at 102 mph into the lens. This produces the same result: no shattering, no material entering the eye.

 

Oakley Plutonite Lenses with HDO (High Definition Optics)

Needless to say with Oakley, all the lenses available for the Airbrake protect against 100% of UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400 nm.  HDO Optics is another Oakley standard found across their range - it allows the wearer to see exactly where things really are, with no shift caused by distortion.

 

 

So are these the perfect snow goggles?

For me, there's nothing else I've tried that's better. No they're not perfect, but they do offer vast improvements over previous interchangeable lensed goggles. They're optically as good or better than anything else on the market, and in my opinion their lens changeover system works better than anything else right now.

 

In the box:

• Oakley Microfibre Pouch/Cleaning Cloth
• Zipped Oakley Goggle Soft Case
• Extra Lens

 

 

 

 

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We wrote about these back in October and now we've seen them in flesh, we're even more excited about their release! The SoloIst Teardrop boasts filigree details on the lens surrounds  and a choice of regular or polarised glass lenses. The design is all about contrast: new and old, metal and plastic, light and dark. Designer Takahiro Miyashita sought to combine vintage and modern parts into a single frame, using old tooling and methods from the last 25 years.  He says “This collaboration is going to be a new standard. I am very honoured and grateful for the result.”

Thanks to the use of vintage parts, the Teardrops are very limited edition.

The two colours pictured are available to order  right now, with the two remaining colours arriving within the next couple weeks - NOW IN STOCK!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Emerging fashion label TAKAHIROMIYASHITA TheSoloIst. has teamed with Oliver Peoples to create a bespoke luxury eyewear collection. Japanese designer Takahiro Miyashita fronts TheSoloIst mainline collection and has been hailed as a fashion visionary for his recent tailored designs. Miyashita's experimentation with layered fabrics, textured designs with bohemian flair make for an inspiring collaboration with the eloquent vintage designs of Oliver Peoples. The range has been named TheSoloIst and will be part of the 2011/12 eyewear collection.

TheSoloIst frames were created with a 'salvage' philosophy in which Miyashita aimed to recreate a vintage frame which would be entirely true to its aesthetics. Old factories and warehouses were scoured for original metal pieces that could be incorporated into the frames, crafting a truly original collection. Where this was not possible, creators spent a year replicating missing parts whilst using traditional techniques and tools used for Oliver Peoples frames almost 25 years ago. This amalgamation of the old and the new symbolises this perfect partnership who have found a harmonious balance between the vintage and the vintage inspired.

The result is one optical and one sunglass frame, both of which have double bar bridge detailing. The first model - the optical frame - boasts a round P3 lens shape and is available in three different colours. The sunglass, 'Tear Drop', is available in four colours with the added benefit of polarized lenses. These unisex frames are a wonderful arrangement of treated metals and acetate, creating a stunning collection with class and elegance.These vintage frames not only boast a classic design but deliver when it comes to quality and authenticity. The top-bar and temple plaques for instance are made from reclaimed materials from three decades ago.

These are not simply glasses, but a statement; about Oliver Peoples' history in luxury eyewear, and  its promise to future design, thanks to Miyashita. Investing in TheSoloIst collection means that you will become a part of the new generation of vintage eyewear, paying homage to the designs of the past that have stood the test of time. What's not to love?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We are delighted to announce that Diesel will become the next designer brand arriving at Pretavoir. Diesel, founded in 1979 by Renzo Rosso and Adriano Goldschmied, originally launched as a clothing range but quickly expanded to become one of the world's most recognisable fashion brands. The Italian brand has become the forefront of urban chic design, with dynamic and innovative designs. Wilbert Das, Diesel's current head designer and creative director, has continued to push the boundaries of fashion merging traditional styles with contemporary influence; creating a thoroughly forward thinking brand that has the ability to both shock and excite. Vibrance and detail are at the heart of Diesel's designs and their sunglass collection is no exception. Their distinctive approach to eyewear often results in futuristic inspired designs with large angular frames in bright and bold colours.

Today the brand is available across the globe, being distributed in up to 50 different countries, simply proving that true style is not a statement but a movement. Favoured by the stars, these funky yet wearable frames have become iconic in their own right. And it is for this reason we couldn't be happier that Pretavoir are bringing them to you. The full sunglass collection consisting of male, female and unisex models will be coming to Pretavoir soon. Watch this space.