Clear shades are popular with the fashion folk this summer. Hardly a day goes by that we don't see a pair of acetates staring back out at us. For Fall acetate frames will still be around, but in the form of eyeglasses (we're down with going it seventh grade style and wearing them even if you don't require them), our pick in that regard is the Selima pair for J. Crew. Alas, we are still in shades weather and in that regard the Nicole 002 by Benjamin Eyewear takes the cake (left). Forget looking like the Terminator with thick all-black shades, the acetate trend is letting the real thing show-off (i.e. your face!). If you're stuck in between two worlds, Wayfarer put out a two-tone number that we've seen a few chicsters sporting. We think the two-tone kind of makes you look like your eighty years old but in a good way. Also on our radar is this pair, by Grey Ant. The case these shades come in is as big as a briefcase but the shades are pretty amazing and aptly named, The Status Sunglasses. If you can't be asked to drop some dough, Urban Outfitters has a pair of acetate shades for less than it costs to fill up your tank (minus a million).

In today's original Coutorture editorial we've featured sunglasses from the likes of Theo, Anne et Valentin, and Selima Optique. We chose styles that were a departure from the aviator and wayfarer shapes that have been so popular these last few seasons. That is, we think something new is deserved for Spring 08. Sunglasses have a way of changing your aesthetic drastically, and, in the Summer, when it's 90 degrees, they are the basis of your look. Why not take a few chances? Theo, featured on Dustin and Ann in today's shoot, is a brand started by two opticians who now reside in Antwerp. The two bring an unconventional aesthetic to the market which is the result of steel cut frames, light-as-a-feather plastics, and shapes that most Americans consider inherently European. Selima Optique, the more widely know brand in today's shoot, has boutiques in London, Paris, and New York (most notably, Soho). This is most likely the result of a comprehensive range that would cover just about any stock character in your social registry. Fortunately, new styles are almost always immediately available, so when you see them editorialized, they can be yours by lunchtime. You can see the Selima shades on Jennifer and Carissa, in today's shoot. Lastly, Anne et Valentin, the French eyewear line featured on Lys and Chris, is every girl and guy's dream when it comes to classic shades with standout details. Whether a pair of classic tortoise cat-eye glasses is given a blue tint or a pair of thick -rimmed, black men's glasses given an extra angle at each corner, the range encompasses the desire to be different without having to wear something your friend's wouldn't be caught dead in. All three of the lines featured in today's editorial are notable for their giving us something to wear besides your average designer shades. These brands, we think, have as much personality as our subjects do, making for some serious star power.

We we were first introduced to the ladies at Marie Saeki PR during Alice Ritter's wild and crazy presentation, on the first day of New York Fashion Week. Among the chaos, Yurika Nakazono and Marie Saeki, ushered us backstage, made sure we got interviews with everyone from hair to makeup to models. When Ritter was barraged with journalists, taking notes and pictures, Yurika and Marie held our elbows, gave us a glass of champagne, and put us in front of the designer for our two minute moment of privacy. Needless to say, they have been one of our favorite showrooms ever since. One random afternoon, we popped in to pull some sunglasses for a shoot we had neither story boarded nor booked models for. Marie, the showrooms founder and former Accessories lady for Elle, sat down with us for a chat about the showroom and its recent projects. The showroom has an international roster of clients, they represent everything from sportswear to cameras, from ready-to-wear to eyeglasses. In spite of this, their team is small, and their relationships with the people they work with, close. We think people like Marie and Yurika, who do a great deal for their designers (among them, Alice Ritter, Petit Bateau, Theo, Falke, Selima Optique, Michel Perry, and Anne et Valentin) and the press, are a pivotal part of the fashion industry and, therefore, worthy of their own interview (if short). Afterall, Everybody Is A Star today on Coutorture.




What attitude or personality best describes Marie Saeki PR and the lines that you represent?
Our team is an international mix of open-minded and positive people, with a strong fashionable attitude and a sense of humor. The lines we represent reflect the personality of our office.


What are some of the differences between working with the larger publications versus smaller ones or websites?
The differences are similar yet respective to the scale of the media company. For example, the monthly and seasonally printed publications have to forecast what is going to happen months in advance, and we have to wait to see if our products have been selected for editorials. Websites are very exciting because the Internet is able to instantly broadcast something new and there is an instant result to show our clients.


What is your average day at the showroom like?
Answering a very, very large amount of emails and writing an even bigger amount to our clients, editors, stylists, and journalists. We are in constant communication because new ideas are always being brainstormed and pitched. Samples and products are sent out daily for photo shoots and other product placements. Depending on the season, fashion shows and events are planned and executed. There really is no average day because each day presents new tasks and requests. Our biggest daily issue is deciding where we should order lunch.


What is the most stressful part of your job?
Worrying about not having results to show our clients.


And, your favorite part of your job?
Pitching, it's like a game. It is always fun to find the right angle when introducing a new concept or fashion happening.