HOT TAKE: THE ONLY GLASSES I WEAR
& Obviously They're Vintage
Hot Take (n): a quickly produced, strongly worded, and often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction.
My name is Alexia Ioannou and I approve of this message.
I started collecting vintage Matsuda eyewear after discovering the label in a NYC thrift store 2 years ago. Since then I haven’t purchased any other glasses outside of the label for my personal collection. Anytime I come across a silhouette or color I am yet to own my primal shopping addiction takes over and they’re immediately in my cart.
The label was established in Japan in the 1960’s by Mitsuhiro Matsuda and still produces glasses to this day, but it’s their styles from the 80’s/90’s that really draw me in. Matsuda himself was said to have been inspired by Gothic architecture, Victorian art and American jazz. Making his work a perfect marriage between western designs and traditional Japanese fashion.
Most well-made luxury glasses are Japanese made, from the likes of Jacques Marie Mage, KameManNen & of course Matsuda, there is no arguing that the craftsmanship is unmatched. With every Matsuda frame being crafted in small quantities and finished by hand using only quality materials, these pieces are truly wearable and built to stand the test of time (I say this with confidence as my 30 yr old pair of Matsuda’s currently sit at the bottom of my purse unfazed).
As to why Matsuda has become my personal favorite, aside from the quality there is something about the slimmer shape/fit that capture that feminine yet sharp look that compliments so many of our faces. The vintage silhouettes are rare and hard to find, but somehow always uncovered in amazing condition.
Naturally after all of this info, you need a pair. Here are the ones I’m currently eyeing (literally):
MATSUDA Vintage Black Oval Sunglasses (a classic color/shape with lighter lenses)
MATSUDA 90's Era Matsuda Black/Silver Trim Sunglasses
MATSUDA Vintage Red Titanium Mirror Sunglasses (if you’re a girl who loves bold and color, there are a moment)
MATSUDA Vintage Black Lunettes Sunglasses (if cat eye & oval had a baby)
MATSUDA Vintage Slim Red Sunglasses (the exact same red pair I’m wearing above)
MATSUDA Vintage Pink Tortoise (I’ve never come across anything similar to these before…rareeee!)
MATSUDA Vintage Black Sunglasses (I also have these and always get stopped for the uniqueness of the shape)
MATSUDA Vintage Gold Sunglasses (for a true vintage look)
MATSUDA Vintage Cateye Green Thick Sunglasses (buy these so I don’t)
MATSUDA Vintage Cateye Red Thick Sunglasses (& these)
MATSUDA Vintage Sunglasses Rare Steampunk Small Lenses Gray (real rare)
MATSUDA Vintage Sunglasses Shiny Silver Aviator (For sport mode)
MATSUDA Vintage Sunglasses Oval Rare Folding Brown (A really rare folding technique)
Eyeglasses too:
MATSUDA Vintage Eyeglasses Slim Blue-Gray
MATSUDA Vintage Eyeglasses Slim Green-Yellow
MATSUDA Vintage Eyeglasses Frame Rectangle Red (I own these they’re hot)
MATSUDA Vintage Eyeglasses Green Oval