I’ve been wearing my tortoiseshell Alain Mikli glasses now for almost two years and they’ve sort of become an unofficial and somewhat reluctant trademark for me (in other words, I’m the “guy with the glasses,” at least to those who don’t know me by name). Still, I love wearing them, not only because of the way they look, but because of the outstanding craftsmanship and quality put into each pair of specs made by Mikli’s team in France. So imagine my thrill when I received an invitation to have dinner with Mr. Mikli himself during his recent visit to Toronto. My answer, of course, was a resounding YES.

Mikli was in town to launch his latest collection – a line of limited edition eyewear with French clothing designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Friends for decades but never collaborators until now, Mikli and Gaultier have aligned their creative pursuits and flair for design into a collection of 20 frames (12 eyeglasses and 8 sunglasses) in a handful of bold and dramatic styles and colorways. Made from sturdy acetate and metal, and featuring unique “winged” arms on the side (meant to resemble corset ties), these are, as Mikli puts it, “frames to see as well as to be seen.”

Mikli’s years of workmanship and technical expertise guided the frames, while Gaultier added his characteristic irreverence and playful style. During our dinner in Toronto (at the lovely Maléna Restaurant in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood), Mikli explained that both designers wanted to push their ideas out of the box, while retaining a classic elegance and timelessness to each piece. While I appreciate the inventive designs and unique combination of colors, I was most struck by how there was no outer logo on the frames. Instead, the designers chose to let the frames (and each individual wearer) speak for themselves.

While Gaultier has collaborated with everyone from La Perla to Target, and Mikli continues to collaborate on an eyewear line with good friend and designer Philippe Starck, the “Jean Paul Gaultier by MIKLI” collection speaks to a new and different audience: one that appreciates good quality design and an imaginative spirit, paired with a youthful exuberance and sense of humor. If my Alain Mikli glasses can be counted on to capture a look or two at a party, you can be sure this new collection will have people staring all night long.

The “Jean Paul Gaultier by MIKLI” collection is available at the Alain Mikli boutique on Madison Avenue in New York and exclusively in Toronto at Karir Eyewear (Mikli and owner Bob Karir have been friends for more than 20 years and it was Karir that first launched Mikli’s line in Canada). Prices for the collection range from $325 to $460.

- TC