Trust Balmain’s creative director — Olivier Rousteing —to come up with accessories that simultaneously draw attention while shielding people away from them. Enter the Espion, an eyewear of note from the runway of Balmain’s Fall/Winter ’24 show. This collaboration between Rousteing and Akoni Group’s eyewear artisans resulted in features like solid floating hinges and an interchangeable nose piece, adding functionality to pizzazz.
Story has it that the Espion was designed for VIPs to maintain anonymity, especially against the looming threat of paparazzi around every corner. Its resemblance to goggles does bestow the wearer with a sense of protection, after all. But it should be telling that these bold, angular lines will only add to these VIPs’ star power instead of reducing them. Still, it is a good way of paying homage to Balmain’s long history with notable personalities, particularly from the music industry. The Espion is available in black, brown, and white, with only 300 frames for each variation. Exclusive pieces for exclusive people? Now, that is a vibe.
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