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Does everything Jordan Askill touch turn to gold? Certainly, his latest high-fashion collaboration with sunglasses brand Le Specs would suggest that’s a yes.
The award-winning Australian jewellery designer and sculptor who’s now based in New York has created a limited edition unisex capsule of luxury pieces for the popular Aussie sunglass brand. Nine of the 12 are easily spotted from a distance thanks to the large gold panther motif on both arms.
The fact that this style sported by friend Lara Worthington in an Instagram shout-out sold out within an hour of its global release is proof we’re not the only folks with hearts in eyes for the universally affordable-luxe range. (Every style costs just $129.)
“Having a panther in mid-motion on sunglasses against your face can’t help but make you feel you have the power and strength to always move forward,” the former Sydney native recently told GRAZIA.
Askill’s ascension to the top of the global design tree has been hard-earned. He spent the last decade making his mark in sculpture and fine jewellery to critical acclaim, culminating in a 2015 British Fashion Award for Emerging Accessory Design and prestigious CDFA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Award nomination in 2017.
Along the way, he’s also clocked up a swag of big brand collaborations with the likes of Topshop, Georg Jensen, Swarovski and even served as a guest costume designer for the Sydney Dance Company.
Jordan Askill (left) with Le Specs creative director Hamish Tame
Credit: Supplied
Similarly, this is not Le Specs’ first designer collaboration rodeo either. Last year’s venture with American designer Adam Selman sparked what’s probably the most cult sunglass shape of the season – every millennial supermodel from Gigi Hadid to Kendall Jenner soon owned a pair of The Last Lolita shades skinny cats-eye shades.
Then there was Henry Holland and Self Portrait’s Han Chong too. A more recent collaboration with cult Bondi-based brand Double Rainbouu proved the brand has its finger on the streetwear pulse closer to home too.
GALLERY: Gigi Hadid’s a clear fan of Le Specs x Adam Selman ‘ThE Last Lolita’
GRAZIA spoke to Askill about the panther detailing and the difference between creating fine jewellery and fashion eyewear ahead of the collection’s release.
WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE SIGNATURE PANTHER COME FROM? We wanted elements that were iconic. I came up with jewellery pieces that connected both brands and flowed with the shape of the sunglasses. Having a panther in mid-motion on sunglasses against your face can’t help but make you feel you have the power and strength to always move forward.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKING JEWELLERY AND SHADES? When designing jewellery for the sunglasses, allot of the initial design process was the same – coming up with the idea, and making it work for the desired specifications. The main difference was to make this piece of jewellery attach and fit to a static surface.
CAN YOU IMAGINE SUNGLASSES ON YOUR DESIGN HORIZON AGAIN SOON? I really love the idea of creating jewellery that fits to a specific shape. I also love being able to work with a shape that tapers in thickness. The way you then wear the piece of jewellery hovering against your face is a really special concept that I love.
The Le Specs Luxe x Jordan Askill Limited Edition Designer Collection is available online. SHOP NOW
