"When men and mountains meet, great things happen" is a famous phrase attributed to the English poet and artist William Blake, who lived between the 18th and 19th centuries. The French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand was also a mountain enthusiast: so much so that in Haute-Savoie she designed a ski resort and even tiny living modules in order to allow climbers to camp out at high altitude. Her image of topless shoulders against the backdrop of snowy peaks is famous... The mountain, understood not only as a physical but also a mental and metaphorical place: a space in which to regenerate, but also to challenge oneself, experiencing absolute freedom through connection with the powerful and unpredictable immensity of nature. The timeless charm of the first snow continues to seduce even luxury fashion brands, because even on the slopes it is important to express your own style and your own personality, ensuring you get noticed but also protecting yourself.

And so the unique mirrored lens of some Gucci Après-Ski goggles (in the opening photo), which are also characterised by the iconic two-tone elastic band, could only be crossed by the famous "guccissima" monogram. To be combined with a sophisticated line of sportswear, in which the technical characteristics are mixed with glamorous elements for transversal use in other contexts, and not only for sports. In fact, it is not known whether it was sport that went beyond its own borders or fashion and luxury that explored new landscapes by appropriating other codes. It does not matter if the result is ski goggles like mod. CL4196US from Celine, illuminated by small metal studs that run along the entire outline of the front, while the Celine logo stands out on the adjustable elastic band in solid colour or with a camouflage pattern.

For Givenchy, the lens overlaps with the frame in the mod. GV40042U, creating a fluid and decidedly contemporary effect, but one that is also mysterious. It is a streamlined and simple design that is expressed in the two tiny pins with the logo, positioned on the sides of the lens while the elastic band with the words "Givenchy" is also available in the tone-on-tone version. In Tom Ford's FT1124 high-tech mask, the lens, which seems almost suspended on the face, is instead magnetic and interchangeable to adapt to the intensity of light and different weather conditions. Even for Chloè, no compromise in style is allowed when practicing winter sports and this is demonstrated with the Mountaineering Capsule Collection, which includes the Cassidy goggles, with a single mirrored lens and a frame in colours that alternate classic colours with bright shades such as red. The rubber logo stands out in relief on the elastic band, whose dimensions lend themselves to conveying the brand with a modern and immediately visible lettering. This is also in fact a statement.

As we said before, there are those from the world of fashion and luxury who enter the world of sport, but sometimes the opposite also happens. We are naturally talking about Moncler, which has managed to elevate a technical and sporty garment like the down jacket to a coveted item through a continuous and intelligent cultural fusion operation, without ever forgetting its history, which dates back to 1952 and is closely connected to the mountains. In fact, its origins lie in a village near Grenoble, Monestier-de-Clermont, of which Moncler is an abbreviation. The eyewear collection includes the ML0130 Vaporice model with a double rounded lens, perfect to adapt to ski helmets, while the ML0215 Terrabeam, featuring a single lens with anti-fogging system and a scratch- resistant treatment, is suitable for experienced skiers and athletes.

And, speaking of athletes, we cannot fail to mention Oakley, one of the brands that has won the most medals ever, having been adopted by several champions of various sports that are thus celebrated in the Signature Series. For example? The Jamie Anderson Signature Series Line Miner model with Prizm Black Iridium lenses is in fact named after the snowboarding champion, who boasts 21 medals won at the X games as well as three Olympic medals. William Blake was definitely right.