The tragic loss of Lee Alexander McQueen this week has given rise to many articles in the media about his career, and the designs he produced for his catwalk shows. Hailed by many as a true creative genius, others often could not understand McQueen’s vision. Opinion is always divided about the work of great Couturiers – a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes? As more and more designers take on Optical assignments and bring us new eye glass styles, we should consider the work of innovators and appreciate what they bring to our everyday lives.

Anything that makes an everyday chore more pleasurable must be applauded, and this has been very evident with spectacles. A medical device that many of us need to function in our everyday lives has become a must have accessory and a desirable purchase. This first became apparent when Designers moved into the eye wear market and began transforming the humble spec into a piece of fashion.

A trend that began with Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior during the Eighties designer boom is now a multi-million pound industry and has ended the misery of glasses wear for many. McQueen himself produced a stunning eyewear range, as do countless others. Who wouldn’t want to buy something they enjoy wearing? Even if you don’t appreciate a specific designer frame, you will still reap the benefits of their inspiration as their innovation filters down through all manufactures ranges.

McQueen stunned the fashionistas with his Highland Rape Collection in 1995, displaying some shocking rear cleavage on the catwalk, but for many years afterwards we were all wearing low slung jeans and sharp tailoring that owed much to his initial vision. Eye wear follows suit, with detailing, colours, and shapes providing inspiration for many collections that follow the trend setters. Never dismiss designers as being detached from your world, or out of touch with reality. Like McQueen they all come up with the look for the season, and our lives are made more colourful and aesthetically pleasing because of it. We have lost a true fashion great this week, and even if you don’t think he touched your life, his influence and vision has in reality affected us all.