When off to the beach, we usually tries to focus on accessories to make our look stand out. This year you can go all out and equip yourself with a pair of bespoke Anna-Karin Karlsson sunglasses. Then you have a party on your head, and it's very exclusive!
Swedish eyewear designer Anna-Karin Karlsson got involved for the first
time with bespoke eyewear fashion at the age of 19 after finishing her
acting/art degree. She managed to get a job in “the oldest and one of the most
renowned opticians in London.” According to Karlsson, her fascination for sunglasses started as a
child when a friend's mother returned from Florida equipped with 80's glamour.
But it wasn't until she tried on a pair of Christian Roth sunglasses that this
fascination developed into a true passion.
“I design dreams, packaged as sunglasses for folks with dancing hearts,” the Swedish designer describes her still young, but already successful approach. With experience in traditional bespoke eyewear
design, art studies, music and years of eyewear styling, her Spring/Summer 2012 debut collection
is inspired by fairytales. Each frame is named after a real or fictional person
and the wonders of his or her life. Karlsson's work pushes the boundaries of eyewear.
The shapes are strong still romantic. The coloring graphic, wild, still elusive.
Dreamlike. The collection is a tribute to her older sister Rose, and a new life
by the sea. As the face of the collection Karlsson used Roses's daughter Linda and
so the theme of roses, petals, passion and the wild is tied together.
Anna-Karin set out to make the highest quality
sunglasses available without giving into the dream and vision of the arts and am
using a patented HD plastic in most of her work, that has never been used in this
way in eyewear design previously. “Being a pioneer in materials and shapes is the
only way forward” Karlsson explains. She was nominated Accessory Designer 2011 at the Swedish fashion awards Guldknappen for her 2012 collection
"Rose et la Mer". She has been put forward as one of the most
important Swedish fashion designers by Swedish best selling magazine DV and the
collection has been shot by the likes of British Vogue and Interview Magazine Russia. Today Karlsson has a handful of clients around
the world that she privately styles and designs for, including Rihanna and Lana Del Rey. Wanna know a bit more about Anna-Karin and her personal style? Read on the answers she gave to Fashion-Pixel's questionnaire!
Fashion-Pixel: What is your personal
style when it comes to dressing?
Anna-Karin Karlsson: Think Pippi Longstocking’s mum with the bag full of dough.
F-P: What is your favourite colour?
AKK: I tend to like them all but wear plenty of black.
Anna-Karin Karlsson: Think Pippi Longstocking’s mum with the bag full of dough.
F-P: What is your favourite colour?
AKK: I tend to like them all but wear plenty of black.
AKK: I have a hard time pinpointing a designer as I tend to look for things magic, McQueen had plenty of that stuff.
F-P: Do you have a piece of jewellery that means a lot to you? What is it? If you want, tell us why is it so important to you?
AKK: My great great gran was an artist and made jewellery out of hair some that belongs to the Victoria and Albert Museum now. Her work means a lot to me as she reflects who I am and reminds me to have courage and to be fearless.
AKK: A leather jacket from Yohan Kim a very talented designer I met when showing at Tranoi Paris fashion week this spring.
F-P: What is your favourite
outfit? AKK: I tend to wear wicked vintage dresses since they have great ones in Stockholm and I tend to like strong looks.
AKK: Yes, I do but as I’m an accessory kind of girl. I tend to come home with necklaces and bracelets enough for an army.
F-P: What piece would you place in a fashion museum?
AKK: “When trouble came to town” as it was created for Grace Jones and her vivid personality.
F-P: What is a key item that all wardrobes should have?
AKK: Some humour.
F-P: Would you like to live in another era?
AKK: I’m having the time of my life right now, so I’m really content with the present.
F-P: What inspires you? AKK: Beauty and I tend to find beauty in most things.
F-P: What is your favourite material to use?
AKK: HD plastic, a rare and expensive plastic that I’ve fallen for.
F-P: What is your fashion fetish?
AKK: Shoes. I got my high heels at 9 but had nagged my parents since the age of 5 for a pair.
F-P: What is your latest fashion obsession?
AKK: Anything that sparkles and is well made. Miu Miu shoes, Noir jewellery cuffs and my Coco and the Row sunnies Black gold glitter. It took 9 rejections to get the one as it’s completely new technology but the end result is beautiful.
F-P: How do you determine what is chic?
AKK: It’s built into my system, I’m very sure of what I like.
F-P: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
AKK: I’m a romanticist and am very grateful to have the people with the dancing hearts that wears my stuff so that I can make my arts.
All images courtesy of Anna-Karin Karlsson©
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