“She’s a little bit crazy,” said eyewear designer Tracy Sedino of the Linda Farrow woman. Considering Sedino’s customer has, in the past, worn the brand’s Mickey Mouse glasses, cat-face shades, and a veritable peek-a-boo mask crafted to look like red-nailed flesh-toned hands wrapping around one’s eyes, she’s pretty spot on in her description. But if the label’s spring range is any indication, the Linda Farrow woman is cool, confident, and sophisticated, too.
Linda Farrow launched her namesake eyewear brand in 1970 and went on to create glasses for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. The designer closed up shop up 1980. But after stumbling upon a warehouse full of Farrow’s original designs, Sedino and her husband, Simon Jablon (who also happens to be Linda Farrow’s son), decided to relaunch the line. Now approaching their 10th anniversary, the pair not only creates their own signature styles but has collaborated with everyone from Oscar de la Renta to Raf Simmons to Alexander Wang.
At a press preview in the Standard Hotel on Friday, Sedino showcased all of Linda Farrow’s spring offerings. According to the designer, the Linda Farrow Luxe line had a tropical inspiration this season, and featured round or geometric looks in golds, aquas, and reds. Snakeskin or water snake frames came in soft tans and rosebuds, and one pair of shades with hexagonal link earpieces could be custom ordered with gemstones of one’s choice. Collaborative projects were also on display, like a range of pastel bug-inspired glasses by Erdem, round retro styles in deep orange, forest green, and marigold by The Row, and Baroque and machine-gun looks by Jeremy Scott. “Jeremy is always really fun,” said Sedino. “With him, we’re always like, ‘Oh my god, what is he gonna give us?’ But it’s always something different. And he’s got diehard fans out there.”
More subdued but no less glamorous wares included a range for Oscar de la Renta, which featured glasses with jade insets or tiger-eye beads, angular, vintage-inspired styles for Dries van Noten, and futuristic looks in pop colors by Prabal Gurung. “We only work with brands we really love,” said Sedino. Considering that, between Linda Farrow Projects and Linda Farrow Collaborations, the brand worked with 13 designers this season, it would seem Sedino and Jablon have a lot of love to give.