Back To The Future

Back To The Future

Back To The Future

A fashion flashback with eyewear designer Alain Mikli.

A fashion flashback with eyewear designer Alain Mikli.

Photography: Alana O'Herlihy

Styling: Ian Milan

Text: Danielle Combs

Travel back in time to revisit the heyday of the ‘80s with renowned eyewear designer, Alain Mikli. Known for an unceasing devotion to art, experimental design aesthetic, and decades-long cache of distinct glasses frames, V is paying tribute to the iconic brand with an online exclusive.

Channel the era’s decadent high-glam fashion with Mikli’s collection of avant-garde eyewear that embodies the spirit of the radical decade, using far-out styles that juxtapose archival frames with Mikli's thoroughly modern present offerings. Click through the slideshow to harken back to a moment in time where vibrant fashion reigned supreme.

LEFT: Created in collaboration with Claude Montana, one of the leaders of Paris fashion at the time, the ‘Clé de Sol’ was worn by Andy Warhol in 1982. Dior Homme turtleneck, earrings model's own, Right: Altuzarra jacket, pants and shoes, HUGO top, Givenchy red gloves, Coach bracelets on both wrists and right ankle, We Love Colors socks, model's own earrings, LUNETTE MAIN DE FACE Alain Mikli sunglasses.
LEFT: Created in collaboration with Claude Montana, one of the leaders of Paris fashion at the time, the ‘Clé de Sol’ was worn by Andy Warhol in 1982. Dior Homme turtleneck, earrings model's own, Right: Altuzarra jacket, pants and shoes, HUGO top, Givenchy red gloves, Coach bracelets on both wrists and right ankle, We Love Colors socks, model's own earrings, LUNETTE MAIN DE FACE Alain Mikli sunglasses.
New for 2018, ‘Miss J’ (left) is an homage to Grace Jones, whose strong and extravagant attitude made her an icon of the 80's. This sun style features super-sharp corners and thick bridge. MISS J BLACK RED + DARK GREY PRICE: $380.00 ‘Le Masque Dalida’ Custom sunglass masque, one of just a handful produced circa 1985, made for singer/actress Dalida, who performed in more than 10 languages. Monse jacket, belt, and pants, model's own Christian Louboutin heels and stud earrings. Right: Clothing models own: Cheng jumpsuit, model's own belt, model's own.
On Alana: AL0109‘ circa 2001 Opening Ceremony top, DVF earring. On RJ: Dior Homme turtleneck, all other clothes his own, A0109 04 DE FACE Alain Mikli sunglasses.
On Alana: AL0109‘ circa 2001 Opening Ceremony top, DVF earring. On RJ: Dior Homme turtleneck, all other clothes his own, A0109 04 DE FACE Alain Mikli sunglasses.
On RJ: AYER VINTAGE DTBK/ MATTE BLACK METAL + G-15 PRICE: $455.00 New for 2018, the ‘Ayer’ is a tribute to the innovative vintage frames in the Mikli archive, specifically a version from the Claude Montana collaboration in the early 80s. Cutouts and open spaces make this frame a unique piece of art. Wearing Dior Homme turtleneck, all other clothes his own. Right: Catalogued as ‘14 P de Face,’ this was a Limited Edition collaboration sunglass between jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez and Alain Mikli. Referred to as the ‘Eye’ frame due to a Murano glass eyeball inset at one temple end, black cellulose ‘lashes’ complete the avant-garde style.
Left: DVF coat, dress, pants, Oscar de la Renta heels, A05032 LEALA Alain Mikli sunglasses.Right: Inspired by the Mikli archive, ‘Rayce’ features a blank spaces that create contrast between the outlined color of acetate and clear details. RAYCE TRANSPARENT GREY BLACK + BLACK MIRROR PRICE: $415.00 Area top, pants, earrings.
Left: DVF coat, dress, pants, Oscar de la Renta heels, A05032 LEALA Alain Mikli sunglasses.Right: Inspired by the Mikli archive, ‘Rayce’ features a blank spaces that create contrast between the outlined color of acetate and clear details. RAYCE TRANSPARENT GREY BLACK + BLACK MIRROR PRICE: $415.00 Area top, pants, earrings.
On Alana: MISS J BLACK RED + DARK GREY PRICE: $380.00 New for 2018! ‘Miss J’ is an homage to Grace Jones, whose strong and extravagant attitude made her an icon of the 80's. This sun style features super-sharp corners and thick bridge. The ‘Ayer’ (right) is a tribute to the innovative vintage frames in the Mikli archive, specifically a version from the Claude Montana collaboration in the early 80s. Cutouts and open spaces make this frame a unique piece of art. Opening Ceremony top, DVF earrings and A05031 MISS J Alain Mikli sunglasses. On RJ: AYER VINTAGE DTBK/ MATTE BLACK METAL + G-15 PRICE: $455.00 Dior Homme turtleneck, all other clothes his own.
Left: LEALA TRANSPARENT GREY BLACK + BLACK MIRROR PRICE: $380.00 New for the 2018 season, ‘Leala’ is an ultra-feminine sunglasses in a sharp cat-eye shape. DVF coat, dress, pants, Oscar de la Renta Right: Area top, pants, earrings. Right: 'Lunette Main de Face’ The #vavadudu 'Hands' collaboration frame
New for 2018, ‘Miss J’ (left) is an homage to Grace Jones, whose strong and extravagant attitude made her an icon of the 80's. This sun style features super-sharp corners and thick bridge. MISS J BLACK CRYSTAL + LIGHT BROWN MIRROR PRICE: $380.00 MISS J GREY WAVES VIOLET BROWN + LIGHT BROWN MIRROR PRICE: $380.00 This unique collaboration sunglass is inspired by a vintage frame from Scott’s personal archives. The distinct angular design features an elongated upswept shape in a thick acetate that makes a strong statement. The style is available in three iconic Alain Mikli color ways. Right: Monse jacket, belt, and pants, model’s own Christian Louboutin heels and stud earrings, A0109 04 DE FACE Alain Mikli sunglasses.
Le Masque Dalida’ Custom sunglass masque, one of just a handful produced circa 1985, made for singer/actress #Dalida, who performed in more than 10 languages. Dries Van Noten coat, Dior Homme pants and shoes, LE MASQUE DALIDA. Right: MISS J CRYSTAL BLACK + BLACK MIRROR PRICE: $380.00 New for 2018, ‘Miss J’ is an homage to Grace Jones, whose strong and extravagant attitude made her an icon of the 80's. This sun style features super-sharp corners and thick bridge.
ALOUETTE VINTAGE DTBK/ MATTE BLACK METAL + G-15 PRICE: $380.00 Ultra-feminine metal sunglass with strong angles and an extreme cat-eye lens shape, the ‘Alouette.’ This particular one is part of the Alain Mikli pour Oliver Peoples collaboration, wherein the usual bold colors have been replaced with recognizable Oliver peoples tortoise acetate (Cocobolo). Lanvin leather jacket vest and dress worn open, Alexander Wang chain mail dress, Altuzarra boots and gloves, model’s own silver rings, earring, and bracelet. Right: One of the earliest Mikli creations, this style is technically catalogued as the ‘029 039 de Face’, but is more affectionately referred to as the ‘wing frame.’ An unknown number were produced, and a small selection were bedazzled with black or crystal rhinestones. Altuzarra jacket, pants and shoes, HUGO top, Givenchy red gloves, Coach bracelets on both wrists and right ankle, We Love Colors socks, model's own earrings.
ALOUETTE VINTAGE DTBK/ MATTE BLACK METAL + G-15 PRICE: $380.00 Ultra-feminine metal sunglass with strong angles and an extreme cat-eye lens shape, the ‘Alouette.’ This particular one is part of the Alain Mikli pour Oliver Peoples collaboration, wherein the usual bold colors have been replaced with recognizable Oliver peoples tortoise acetate (Cocobolo). Lanvin leather jacket vest and dress worn open, Alexander Wang chain mail dress, Altuzarra boots and gloves, model’s own silver rings, earring, and bracelet. Right: One of the earliest Mikli creations, this style is technically catalogued as the ‘029 039 de Face’, but is more affectionately referred to as the ‘wing frame.’ An unknown number were produced, and a small selection were bedazzled with black or crystal rhinestones. Altuzarra jacket, pants and shoes, HUGO top, Givenchy red gloves, Coach bracelets on both wrists and right ankle, We Love Colors socks, model's own earrings.
Credits: MODELS TK WONDER CIPRIANA QUANN SAILOR BRINKLEY COOK LILI SUMNER RYAN FREDERICK KYLE FARMERY HAIR: GERALD DECOCK MAKEUP: TIFFANI LEIGH PATTON

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