The first people to wear sunglasses could have hardly imagined that, centuries later, they would be a glamour accessory whose function often bore no relation to the presence of harsh sunlight. To cut the relentless glare of light on white in the arctic region of North America, the Inuit people carved slits in pieces of wood or bone to create snow goggles. To more opulent effect, legend has it that while watching gladiatorial events, Roman Emperor Nero shaded his eyes from the sun through an emerald. In 15th-century China, lenses were made from flat pieces of smoky quartz. Emerald-tinted Goldoni glasses were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Four Buy Now Related Stories Fashion Issue 50 Communion A celebration of fellow-feeling through fashion. Fashion Issue 50 Capsule Wardrobes Unpicking a fashion staple. Fashion Issue 50 What Are You Working On? David Koma’s current workload. Fashion Issue 50 Received Wisdom Marimekko’s creative director, Rebekka Bay, on leadership and finding the right work-life balance. Fashion Issue 49 Urban Doom A saturnine mélange of subversive styles. Arts & Culture Fashion Issue 49 A World of Difference A fun lesson in cultural faux pas.
Fashion Issue 50 Received Wisdom Marimekko’s creative director, Rebekka Bay, on leadership and finding the right work-life balance.