Fashion and design are all about seeing something new
in every day things, re-imagining the world and creating a new vision of
reality. No wonder a partnership between Project Runway (going 15 seasons
strong this year) and Transitions lenses were such perfect partners. This year Transitions sponsored a challenge early in the
season where contests had to create a look that transformed from light to dark.
The winner Erin Robertson created a demure pastel dress in baby blue that
transformed into a punky neon confection under the blacklight. No
surprise her designs have won her a trip to the show's fashion week finale (Part 1 airs December 15 and Part 2 will air on December 22 on Lifetime). Transitions
lenses are all about changing your vision of the world too: adapting in
changing light levels from clear to shaded to prevent sun damage, squinting and light
sensitivity, enhancing contrast vision with color tints in gray, brown, and green, and
protecting your eyes from strain and fatigue caused by the high energy blue
light coming off computer screens, fluorescent lighting, and digital devices.
This
season has been filled with great eyewear, as always led by the impeccable Tim
Gunn (a veteran Transitions Brand Ambassador). “There’s
a lot that goes into picking the perfect frame, but picking the perfect lens is
a snap. Transitions bring function to the fashion world,” says Gunn. “They fit seamlessly into any
lifestyle and keep you seeing and looking your best in any light.”
 |
| Loving Tim Gunn's new eyewear this season - gone are the aging rimless frames, replaced with a much more youthful black zyl. But he's still the thoughtful, constructively critical Tim we all know and love. via |
There were plenty of glasses fashion moments to crush on this season. Erin Robertson
led the pack with a statement pair of round mixed-metal frames.
And just to cement her throne as eyewear fashionista of the season, she threw in some truly funky hot pink sunglasses at the cocktail party challenge.
 |
| via |
Inspired by Erin
Let's give some
love to contestants Jenni Riccetti and finale contender Roberi Parra for
rocking the browbar trend. These frames are perfect to wear as both clear
and tinted for a truly versatile fashion statement.
Browbar inspiration
Transitions sent optician and Brand Ambassador Sheena
Taff of Roberts and Brown Opticians to Project
Runway's home base in NYC to see the designs and designers first hand. Like
the designers on the show, Sheena sees her life as an optician and glasses
wearer as an opportunity to bring personality and art into the world. "I
believe that having to wear glasses is not a burden but an opportunity to
express your personal style. The fashion world has never been so intertwined in
the optical industry. Designers both internationally known and independent
continue to push the boundaries to create new styles to keep eyeglass wearers
building a frame wardrobe that your shoe collection will envy. I have the daily
pleasure of opening the eyes of eyeglass wearers to the joys of fashion based
optical options."
As a brand ambassador for Transitions, Taff felt her
mission was to change the sometimes limited views her customers held about the
benefits of Transitions lenses. "It struck me that people’s perception of
what Transitions lenses are and what they do was often outdated and incorrect. Transitions
are such a multi-use product and I feel that this is a selling feature for
millennials. Millennials are bred into a culture where everything must do more.
Your phone is your camera, is your computer, is your datebook, is your bank (or
wallet). Even your high heels and dress shoes have running shoe technology
built into them. Our culture is not necessarily moving into a view of more is
less-- quite the contrary. I think our young consumer-driven society is seeking
adaptable products that have increased value with multiple uses, and
Transitions lenses certainly check this box with not only comfort
characteristics, but health benefits"
When
the Transitions episode aired, Taff was one of the brand ambassadors
invited to come to NYC for the episode viewing party to celebrate Transitions
and help spread the word about the new innovations in lens technology. "I
am an admitted Project Runway super fan and fashion junkie; my first thought
was what would I wear?!"
Held at Hearst Tower in NYC, the viewing party was a
collaboration between Transitions, Project Runway, and Marie Claire magazine.
"It was a surreal feeling to enter the lobby: gone was the hustle
and bustle of the day and the ascension to the top floor where the event was
held was a giddy solo elevator ride. It was a new experience for me to look
down on the streets of NYC from the towering top floor. With a glass of wine in
hand and a floor to ceiling window showcasing a clear night, l felt like I was
living someone else’s life. A pinch yourself moment. This feeling only became
more overwhelming when meeting Project Runway contestant and the Transitions
inspired challenge winner Erin Robertson. Erin is kind and humble; you get the
impression that she has been propelled into the spotlight and hasn’t lost any
of her true self. She even made the dress she was wearing on the night of the
event, telling me she felt like she should wear something she made to the
event, so she whipped up the dress she was wearing the night before!"
"On
display was Erin’s winning dress. Out of many designs on Project Runway through
the seasons, this dress was a particular pleasure to see in person. On a sheer
fabric baby doll dress, Erin had meticulously created her own pattern by
cutting and gluing an intricate design out of beaded trimmings, so seeing it up
close showed a dimension and intricacy you couldn’t see on TV. After the
episode was shown I had the opportunity to meet Coco and Breezy,
twin eyewear designers and Transitions Brand Ambassadors, and try on a few of
their fashion forward frames. My evening ended with a stroll through Time
Square, past the very landmarks that make New York City so famous."
.jpg)