"I have thousands of pairs of frames that I draw inspiration from”

How many pairs of spectacles and sunglasses do you own?

I have seven to 10 pairs of glasses with prescription lenses that I rotate depending on my mood. In my personal archive of optical frames and sunglasses, I have thousands of pairs that I draw inspiration from when designing for Barton Perreira. I own all my favourite styles from past collections I designed for Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, Prada, Miu Miu, Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and from my recent Fear of God and 007 collaborations.

What frame shapes, colours or styles do you usually go for personally?

In optical, I like rectangular, cat’s eye, and retro-vintage inspired round frames. For sunglasses, I love aviators and angular shapes. I can’t resist a beautiful butterfly silhouette.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

Right now, my favourite frame is our ‘Chisa’ style. It’s bold and versatile, and it looks good on both men and women. Plus, it comes as an optical and sunglass.

Who would you pick as your style icon of glasses wearers and why?

Elsa Peretti, (Italian jewellery designer and model, particularly recognised for her collections for Tiffany & Co.) is my style icon of glasses wearers. She could wear a statement pair of glasses that were chic, effortless and bold in the best way. Her glasses were not merely a necessity but an accessory to adorn her.

How long have you worn spectacles for, and what prompted you to go for your first sight test?

I realised when I was 12 years old that I needed to get my first pair of glasses after an eye examination at school. I wasn’t disappointed when I found out I had to wear glasses. I loved and felt stylish in my black marble tortoise acetate frames.

How important is eyewear to reflecting your personality?

Eyewear is the first thing people see when they are talking to you. It should be the most important accessory investment you make for yourself.

What sparked your interest in eyewear professionally? Could you tell us about a collection you have worked on that stands out the most to you?

What I love about eyewear is that it’s a combination of fashion and function. The first collection for Barton Perreira is the most special to me – I’ve designed for other brands for so long, to design something for my own namesake was an incredible feeling. I was very inspired to have the freedom to design and develop new technologies for my own frames.

Eyewear… should be the most important accessory investment you make for yourself

You have previously said that you draw inspiration from elements such as jewellery, architecture, vehicles and furniture. Could you tell us about your design inspirations, and perhaps what it is about them that sparks your imagination?

I find inspiration in almost everything. When it comes to furniture and architecture, I’m inspired by curves, shapes, and lines. With vehicles and jewellery, I look at the details and filigree engravings. In gemstones, it’s the jewel tone colours that inspire our beautiful lens palette.

With the latest Bond film set to be released this Autumn, could you tell us what it has been like for Barton Perreira to create sunglasses and new colourways for the Barton Perreira X 007 collection?

It’s been a very proud moment and incredible exposure for our brand to work with the iconic and global James Bond franchise. The ‘Joe’ sunglass is a remarkable frame. It was exciting to breathe new life into an existing style with additional colours inspired by locations in the film. I often draw inspiration for our frames from unique destinations around the world, so it was natural that the new colours in the collection were influenced by the various locations in the film. Each colour and location exude the elegance and flair James Bond is known for.

We are thrilled to continue to work with EON to develop new styles outside of the No Time To Die film, with our upcoming range, The Legacy Collection, which are reimagined eyewear styles inspired by the vintage Bond films.

What I love about eyewear is that it’s a combination of fashion and function