Oblyk is a new sunglass brand which was developed between an Italian tailor by trade, named Massimo Guglielmi, and Australian menswear blogger, James Want. The new sunglasses range concentrates on quality craftsmanship and materials in classic modern designs but with a certain flair that would entice the conservatives to experiment. James was kind enough to answer a few questions on his new project.
James, your new sunglasses are classic but with a twist, is that what we are to expect from Oblyk?
We’ve tried to reimagine classic styles with our first two models, they are sophisticated frames but we’ve tried to give them a quirky twist with interesting lens and finishes. We’re working on a couple of new frames at the moment and I think as the brand grows we will become more confident with our designs. In saying that it’s important to find a balance. Not everyone wants a statement pair of glasses but we chose our price point so customers could buy two pairs, a classic pair for everyday and a more adventurous pair for events or holidays.
The TVG must have come across some rather iconic sunglasses to date, can you tell us about a few TVG style icons and the sunglasses that they wore?
I can’t go past Steve McQueen in his Persols or David Beckham in his Ray Ban Clubmasters. I’m huge fan of the 80’s, the cars, the hair, the interior design, the music, so the Clubmasters have always been a pair of sunglasses I loved, then I saw the Rayban Signets, which I wanted to buy before gold became in vogue again. My mother used to laugh at me because I dreamed of owning a Rolex President in 18k gold which I wanted to pair with my Signets. Now every woman in Australia is wearing a faux gold watch. I always remind her that I called the gold trend early.
Can you tell us what components make up a good quality pair of sunglasses and how to spot the difference?
Like a fake watch, from a distance a poor quality pair of sunglasses can be deceiving but once they’re in your hands it’s quite easy to tell - you need to feel the quality. I think it’s a combination of weight, hinge and build quality as well as finish. Cheap acetate lacks depth of colour is also very rigid and brittle. Quality acetate is vibrant in colour and actually quite malleable. With hinges and lens it only takes a quick glance at each to decide.
My sunglasses always get bent over time – do you have any tips on how to re-shape your sunglasses at home?
In reference to my point above, quality acetate can be re-shaped to some degree. I don’t suggest diving in and bending them with a lot of force but if you leave them in the sun and warm them up a bit, gentle gradual pressure applied to the frame or arms will allow you to reshape them.
I have always been partial to the Persol Steve Mcqueens but I don’t have the face for it, or rather, I look a little cheesy when I wear them. Is there any formula for being able to work out what kinds of shapes suit your head?
Ha. Classic, I think we've all have dreamed of being McQueen at some point! Honestly I think people psych themselves out with suitability. I have a watch with a 42mm case and another with a 34.5mm case. When I interchange them they look strange, it takes me a day of wear to accept the new size on my wrist. In a lot of cases sunglasses are the same, if you spend a day wearing a certain style I think you’ll find yourself getting used to them and accepting them on your face, especially if you sport them with a certain level of swagger. Of course if you have a thin head, wearing wide frames will look odd. If you have a bigger head, lens will look smaller. If you look at the sizing across our two models the 46 and 48, the 48 is only marginally wider in the frame but has a larger lens area which takes up more area of the face on a larger head.
At certain times of the year the sun goes down late and you might be heading to a black tie event but the light is still shining – I have always believed its inappropriate to wear sunglasses with black tie – what are your thoughts and if out of necessity you need to wear them, which frames do you recommend?
Two of my friends have recently tied the knot and both were afternoon weddings with Black Tie dress codes. I share your beliefs and went without sunglasses to both weddings, but there were certainly moments when I wished I had a pair. Perhaps it can be done in moderation - for the 15 min ceremony while standing in the afternoon sun but that’s about it. I’m still on the fence about it though. If you must wear a pair they should be a classic shape, black and not be worn on the head or in photos.
When wearing a navy suit should a man wear black or brown frames?
My personal preference with Navy Suits is always brown shoes so I would have to opt for a brown tortoise but I always get tempted by our Pineapple frames when I’m in navy.
What can we expect from your next range of sunglasses?
Our next range will definitely include a new style, perhaps two. Outside of new styles we’re looking at introducing some interesting textures and some really punchy lens combos for summer. We’re also looking at some limited edition runs of dead stock acetate.
Shop what remains of Oblyk's current collection here:
James, your new sunglasses are classic but with a twist, is that what we are to expect from Oblyk?
We’ve tried to reimagine classic styles with our first two models, they are sophisticated frames but we’ve tried to give them a quirky twist with interesting lens and finishes. We’re working on a couple of new frames at the moment and I think as the brand grows we will become more confident with our designs. In saying that it’s important to find a balance. Not everyone wants a statement pair of glasses but we chose our price point so customers could buy two pairs, a classic pair for everyday and a more adventurous pair for events or holidays.
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| Oblyk sunglasses are entirely hand-made |
The TVG must have come across some rather iconic sunglasses to date, can you tell us about a few TVG style icons and the sunglasses that they wore?
I can’t go past Steve McQueen in his Persols or David Beckham in his Ray Ban Clubmasters. I’m huge fan of the 80’s, the cars, the hair, the interior design, the music, so the Clubmasters have always been a pair of sunglasses I loved, then I saw the Rayban Signets, which I wanted to buy before gold became in vogue again. My mother used to laugh at me because I dreamed of owning a Rolex President in 18k gold which I wanted to pair with my Signets. Now every woman in Australia is wearing a faux gold watch. I always remind her that I called the gold trend early.
 |
Can you tell us what components make up a good quality pair of sunglasses and how to spot the difference?
Like a fake watch, from a distance a poor quality pair of sunglasses can be deceiving but once they’re in your hands it’s quite easy to tell - you need to feel the quality. I think it’s a combination of weight, hinge and build quality as well as finish. Cheap acetate lacks depth of colour is also very rigid and brittle. Quality acetate is vibrant in colour and actually quite malleable. With hinges and lens it only takes a quick glance at each to decide.
 |
| Very cool - matte ghost acetate sunglasses - I am certain to get a pair of these. |
In reference to my point above, quality acetate can be re-shaped to some degree. I don’t suggest diving in and bending them with a lot of force but if you leave them in the sun and warm them up a bit, gentle gradual pressure applied to the frame or arms will allow you to reshape them.
I have always been partial to the Persol Steve Mcqueens but I don’t have the face for it, or rather, I look a little cheesy when I wear them. Is there any formula for being able to work out what kinds of shapes suit your head?
Ha. Classic, I think we've all have dreamed of being McQueen at some point! Honestly I think people psych themselves out with suitability. I have a watch with a 42mm case and another with a 34.5mm case. When I interchange them they look strange, it takes me a day of wear to accept the new size on my wrist. In a lot of cases sunglasses are the same, if you spend a day wearing a certain style I think you’ll find yourself getting used to them and accepting them on your face, especially if you sport them with a certain level of swagger. Of course if you have a thin head, wearing wide frames will look odd. If you have a bigger head, lens will look smaller. If you look at the sizing across our two models the 46 and 48, the 48 is only marginally wider in the frame but has a larger lens area which takes up more area of the face on a larger head.
At certain times of the year the sun goes down late and you might be heading to a black tie event but the light is still shining – I have always believed its inappropriate to wear sunglasses with black tie – what are your thoughts and if out of necessity you need to wear them, which frames do you recommend?
Two of my friends have recently tied the knot and both were afternoon weddings with Black Tie dress codes. I share your beliefs and went without sunglasses to both weddings, but there were certainly moments when I wished I had a pair. Perhaps it can be done in moderation - for the 15 min ceremony while standing in the afternoon sun but that’s about it. I’m still on the fence about it though. If you must wear a pair they should be a classic shape, black and not be worn on the head or in photos.
When wearing a navy suit should a man wear black or brown frames?
My personal preference with Navy Suits is always brown shoes so I would have to opt for a brown tortoise but I always get tempted by our Pineapple frames when I’m in navy.
What can we expect from your next range of sunglasses?
Our next range will definitely include a new style, perhaps two. Outside of new styles we’re looking at introducing some interesting textures and some really punchy lens combos for summer. We’re also looking at some limited edition runs of dead stock acetate.
Shop what remains of Oblyk's current collection here:
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