Celebs, Sunglasses, Cannes!

If you’re celebrity savvy like me you will have been watching all the action at the recent 2009 Cannes Film Festival with interest. The stars, the dresses, the parties and the gossip kept me entertained for at least, oh, a week!

Angelina and Brad put on a show of togetherness in answer to reports of an imminent split. Penelope Cruz braved the festival whilst suffering with flu. Twilight’s Robert Pattinson’s non-stop partying was widely reported. Surprise at the pairing of Hero’s Hayden Panettiere and T4’s Steve Jones, seen canoodling onboard David Furnish’s yacht for the duration of the festival. Paris Hilton and her beau Doug Reinhart courting the paps as usual and Mariah Carey promoting her new film ‘Precious’. As well as 2 films depicting the life of Mademoiselle Chanel and an appearance from Chanel ‘s Creative Director, the unflappable Karl Lagerfeld, made for an exciting week.

The French Riviera was awash with Hollywood Glitterati and the sun shone brightly, so unsurprisingly we were treated to a role call of the latest, most fashionable sunglasses as modelled by the A-Listers.

Police sunglasses were a popular choice amongst the men, with director Quentin Tarantino, rapper Neyo and the newly reformed Spandau Ballet all sporting various cool looking styles. Brad Pitt took to the Red Carpet for his movie ‘Inglourious Basterds’ wearing top to toe Tom Ford including a sharp looking pair of Tom Ford style aviators. Both Robert Pattinson and Orlando Bloom flew the flag for Ray Ban, with the Twilight star rocking some Ray Ban Clubmasters and Bloom wearing nothing but swimming shorts and a pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers.

German born Diane Kruger is rarely seen without her Ray Ban Wayfarers and Cannes was no exception this year. Eva Longoria turned up the heat with a sizzling pair of large red Gina sunglasses by Louis Vuitton accompanied by her husband, basketball player Tony Parker. Red head Julianne Moore was pictured wearing a stunning pair of oversized black Gucci shades and singer Mariah Carey chose a fabulous pair of Roberto Cavalli sunglasses for her photo call. Closing this year’s festival was Chanel muse and actress Anna Mouglalis with her film ‘Coco Chanel & Igor Strvinsky’ wearing.... Chanel sunglasses of course!

Cult Clubmaster

Anyone who keeps a beady eye on our blogs will know we're not averse to blowing Ray Ban's trumpet now and again. But hold the press, the Wayfarer's younger brother has reared it's meddling head to divide your affections. Known as the 'Clubmaster' this model features a 1950's brow line bar and was Ray Ban's homage to to the stars of the Fifties and Sixties. First released in 1986, the Clubmaster was an instant hit and proved very popular with America's burgeoning hip-hop and pop culture.

Following the massively successful re-release of the Wayfarer and it's continuing popularity, Ray Ban got smart and produced another ace with the re-launch of their equally iconic Clubmaster model. The original came only in black and tortoiseshell, however lucky Noughties kids can choose from 7 new colours.

As fitting a much loved star, it's relaunch was held with grand aplomb at The Bowery Ballroom in New York in December '08, with more celebrities in attendance than you could shake a stick at. Taking inspiration from their Fifties and Sixties theme, Ray Ban hired a host of hip American musicians, including The Black Kids, to perform re-worked popular tunes from the vintage era. The guest list read like a promoter's dream with everyone's favourite Gossip Girl stars; Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick working the red carpet, alongside Hollywood sweethearts Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson and even the elusive Kevin Bacon put in a rare appearance, perhaps tempted by the retro Eighties Clubmaster and nostalgic for his 'Footloose' days?!!

Of course now all the stars have their mitts on these toptastic shades, Ray Ban can rest on their laurels; surely the only way is up. And as for which style to go for... we say a little indulgence never hurt anyone, go on buy a pair of each!