Yasmin Taj

Kathmandu:

Scorching heat, sweat that drenches you, bright colours that hurt your eyes — these are the impressions one gets as summer announces its arrival. As summer is already on the threshold, the sunrays have started pricking our faces. Protecting one’s eyes from the harmful UV rays is a necessity along with looking hip and happening with the latest eyewear. So what’s your fashion statement this season when it comes to sunglasses? Are sunglasses just something that go with one’s style or does one ever ponder about the utility of these objects? What’s in and what’s not this summer? What to flaunt this summer and what to discard?

For those who but naturally don’t find it logical to spend their hard-earned money on just a funny-looking pair of glasses, will find a lot of less expensive options in the market. But for those who want to own the best, shops around the city are swarming with the latest and the best. Though cheaper versions of all brands are available in the market, there always lies a possibility of not getting proper protection despite the chance to sport dashing style. Be it Ray Ban or Versace or, Calvin Klien or Donna Karen, they’re all there. The Nike Showroom at Durbar Marg has come up with the 2005 collection ranging from Rs 2,200-14,000. Though, most of the latest are still to arrive, according to Gaurav Agarwal, owner, Nike, the store has already plenty on offer.

The showroom boasts of brands like Nike, Donna Karen and Calvin Klien, which have been directly imported from Italy. Agarwal says, “Mostly, upper-middle class individuals belonging to the 18-40 age group go for glasses. And, of course, 50 per cent of the customers are foreigners. The most sought after shades are interchangeable ones from Nike which cost about Rs 5,000 since they have the added attraction of changing the glass and hence can be worn at any hour of the day and night, too.” He also claims that the popularity of sunwear worn by Anil Kapoor in the movie ‘Musafir’ did send in customers to his shop.

So what is the specialty of a particular brand that makes it stand out from the others? “In Nepal, Ray Ban rules when it comes to popularity. Fifty per cent of the clientele opt for Ray Ban with the rest opting for all of the other brands,” says Keshab Krishna Shrestha, owner, Smriti, Bishal Bazaar. Ray Ban is the leading brand in the high-quality sunwear market segment and by far the bestselling sunwear brand in the world. In fact, these glasses have been part of the wardrobe of stars in popular movies dating back to 1961, with Audrey Hepburn sporting the Wayfarer model in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Aviator, Predator and Wayfarer survive as three of the more popular designs in the seven lines offered by Ray Ban.

Being an authorised dealer of Ray Ban, Shrestha’s showroom has the latest 2005 collection, which ranges from Rs 4,000-10,000. His clientele, too, comprises a more mature crowd but he also claims to be pulling in youngsters since they are becoming more and more brand-conscious these days. “These days particular shapes don’t really matter since any shape could suit any type of face and most glasses are unisex,” Shrestha adds. “Other than 100 per cent UV protection, Ray Ban has a range of glasses which are polarised, which means that one can stare at the sun directly through them. These kind of glasses can empty your wallet by Rs 1,000 than the others.”

Another popular centre for buying the best sunglasses is The Gift House at Bishal Bazaar, which has sunglasses belonging to any and every category. Virendra Shakya, owner, says, “Customers these days are more conscious about style and panache and hardly pay heed to the usefulness of sunglasses. Ray Ban is but, of course, the most sought after followed by Versace and then the rest. Middle-aged customers usually prefer the normal design while youngsters go for big shapes that suit both the sexes.” Another useful piece of advice Shakya puts in is that one should not opt for sunglasses having plastic lenses as they get scratched easily and hence are of no good use. “That is the reason why Police is losing its popularity these days.” His showroom has sunglasses ranging from Rs 4,000-Rs 12,000. He also claims that if a sunglass costs 9,000 in Indian currency, the same would cost around Rs 8,000 here in his showroom, which is obviously a bargain. So if you are heading to the market to pamper yourself with the best of sunglasses this summer, do take care to buy the best and the original. All the best for an intelligent and informed deal!