It was there when Marilyn Monroe, in Jean Negulesco’s 1953 film How to Marry a Millionaire, awkwardly tried to hide her spectacles. It was there when Tura first introduced the lightweight elegance of anodised aluminium—borrowed from the aerospace industry—into eyewear design. And it was there too when Karl Lagerfeld, inspired by his beloved cat Choupette, created a pair of sunglasses complete with feline ears. We are, of course, talking about the cat-eye frame.

An essential accessory for glamorous screen sirens in the days before cosmetic surgery became commonplace, the cat-eye frame of the 1950s made all the difference. With its lifted lines, it drew attention to the eyes and brows, highlighting the cheekbones. Since then, it has become a classic, reimagined each season with new details that keep it relevant and modern—no longer limited to feminine styles, but crossing into other realms and aesthetics. One such example is Okkul, a brand founded in Budapest by Zsanett Fábián and Szabolcs Major, drawing inspiration from ancient symbols, legends, rituals, and myths. Transgressive and distinctive, with sharply exaggerated points, the limited-edition Brynn model (seen in the opening image) can be customised with silver charms and talismanic details such as the ouroboros, making each pair truly unique.

Alexander McQueen also embraces boldness with the AM0518S, enhancing the sharp lines of the design with bright, striking lens colours. Colour again takes centre stage in DSquared2’s Icon 0026S, a bold and vibrant yellow that defines the frame’s assertive character. Founded exactly 30 years ago by Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten, the brand continually pushes boundaries, experimenting with new creative languages and expressions of freedom. And when it comes to originality, Bottega Veneta does not disappoint. The house—now symbolised by its discreet, recognisable double ribbon emblem—delivers both style and sustainability with its Angle model. Available in black with yellow lenses or havana with blue lenses, it’s crafted from metal and Eastman Acetate Renew, which includes 27% recycled materials, while the lenses themselves are made from 39% bio-based polyamide.

Marc Jacobs offers a sensual, powder-pink twist with The Doll Sunglasses, featuring an exaggerated cat-eye silhouette inspired by Marc’s signature doll-like runway figures. Bold volumes give way to minimalist precision in the 1998RXoptical model from Khaite x Oliver Peoples, also available as a sunglass version. Even more ethereal are Fendi’s First Crystal FE4160US glasses, featuring a rimless metal structure, geometric contours, adjustable nose pads, and tiny F-shaped crystals adorning the lenses.
Clearly, the days when Marilyn Monroe felt embarrassed to wear her iconic cat-eye glasses are long gone…