My obsession with sunglasses started at a very young age and was inspired by my beloved aunt, Christina. I would spend holidays with her, dressing up in clothes from her extraordinary wardrobe, and watching episodes of Absolutely Fabulous.
I used to declare at primary school that my aunt was, in fact, Eddie and I would scream, "It's Lacroix, darling." I still remember the pair that first did it for me. Large, pearl-encrusted Chanels that Jennifer Saunders wore in Ab Fab to hide her face from aggressive paparazzi, who weren't actually taking her photo. That was it. Sunglasses stole my heart — and my wallet thereafter.
I have managed to collect or acquire roughly 60 pairs and there's a story for each. I can recall how much, where, why and what I was doing at each stage of my life when I purchased them.
They are (I can only imagine) like children; I love them and they excel in some fields. There are my Acne Mask shields; ridiculously huge and shiny bold aviators. No one can see your eyes through the glorious lens — the classic look-at-me/don't-look-at-me sunglasses — great when you are need to look absolutely drop-dead-fabulous but don't want to be approached or spoken to at all.
