Christian Louboutin channeled his house codes into a statement-making debut, made in collaboration with Marcolin

Nothing fuels the desire to pick up some new sunglasses quite like the arrival of warm weather. And after several seasons of minimalist (and minuscule) frames trending (are they even protecting your eyes?), it’s refreshing to see a designer go all out with some seriously statement-making sunnies. Who, you might ask? Christian Louboutin. And frankly, who better?

As far as signature design flourishes go, Christian Louboutin’s red soles and spike heels rank pretty high. Whether the designer is creating footwear or cosmetics, his house codes make for distinctive and eye-catching products and the range of eyewear he has created (his first) with Marcolin is no exception.

For the uninitiated, Marcolin provides the technical expertise for the eyewear collections of some of fashion’s most beloved brands—Tom Ford, Zegna, and Max Mara among them. Expect to find the best Zeiss lenses with glare-reducing and anti-reflective coatings. It’s hard to play favorites, but one standout style is the Art Deco-inspired So Kate, which bears the same name as Louboutin’s vertiginous heels that were named for supermodel Kate Moss.

Never one to beat around the bush, Louboutin also brings us an on-trend cat-eye design dubbed Hot Chick. With refined temple details and red-and-gold accents that are a calling card of Louboutin, who can resist? Like the shoes themselves, even if not your everyday fare, sometimes an occasion calls for something just a bit extra, whether that’s a black-tie moment or a far-flung vacation—both ideal moments for pushing one’s stylistic boundaries.

Available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, Louboutin’s debut eyewear collection—filled with conversation pieces—is a welcome addition to the eyewear market. Monsieur Louboutin, what took you so long?

This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Marcolin