With the summer hols in full swing, if not the summer weather, we get fed up with tired last season fashion and consider the autumn shows and upcoming trends. This is always an exciting time of the fashion year, as we try to predict what we’ll need for the winter months. Our big exhibitions showcase the newest ideas and trends, but we like to stay ahead of that, so we’ve had a chat with a couple of our fave designers………

‘I’ve had great fun with our latest collection – like a child in a sweetie shop! I’ve been working on filigree detail and very delicate jewellery-type designs for this autumn. I love the idea that specs can be an extension of your personality, framing your eyes and drawing attention to the face. So I like to put the interesting features around the sides and top edges of the frame, which lifts the whole face, and is much less painful than Botox!  Lacy patterns and cut out designs are big for us this year.’

‘Our collections tend to be minimal in detail but very strong on colour. Winter white, cream and pearl grey are nice between seasons, with stronger blacks and reds for after the summer tan has faded! With nautical, Breton jumper style fashions being seen everywhere in the summer, we’ve also used navy this year, which has been out of vogue for some time. It’s a nice soft alternative to black, and an excellent choice for men who want something different, especially if you have a bit of silver around the temples!”

‘We’ve seen a big swing in popularity over the past year from our slim rimless styles to chunky plastics and really thick metal sides. We’re going with that trend and heading towards the preppy rounded shape and big, bold lenses. Even our geeky plastics are softer rather than edgy squares this season. It’s quite an American look – they favour ovals and round shapes and never really did rectangular. Sizes have gone up over the last two years, with our average best sellers two sizes bigger.”

So there you have it – from the proverbial horse’s mouth, now we just need to get stocked so you can get shopping!