Kirk & Kirk Sunglasses

The Kirk Enterprise

The Kirk name has been synonymous with British eyewear since 1919. Three generations on from those original London workshops, husband and wife team Jason and Karen Kirk are now busily designing for their Kirk & Kirk brand.

The Kirks 'cut no corners in creating eyewear that deserves to carry the Kirk name'.

Kirk & Kirk frames are handmade — the entire process — in France of Italian acrylic. The frames are fitted with French-made Christian Dalloz lenses with anti-reflective coatings, and are supplied with a Kirk & Kirk lens cloth and case.

That's chap hop artist Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer (above) in the Carson frame from Kirk & Kirk's Vivarium collection. The Vivarium frames have a Victorian inspiration and reveal rather interesting pins when you get close. How close depends on your eyesight.

The pins are made from silver and gold in Birmingham's jewellery quarter. Naturally, Mr B went for bees, but lions, horses, bears and (hard to describe, but nice to behold) sort of columnar pins are available.

Alton Sunglasses

I've taken K & K's Alton sunglasses (below) to one side to show you. What do you think? Nice, eh? The frame is in the translucent earth colour from Kirk & Kirk's palette, which looks rather splendid with the blue tinted lenses.

I suggest you pack these for a well-earned break in the Cinque Terre. I'll be there later in the year. I'd suggest we meet up, but I'm awful company. And I ran out of conversation many years ago. No matter. You go and enjoy yourself. The Alton sunglasses will be absolutely perfect for scoffing trofie outdoors at a small hideaway restaurant somewhere along the lovely Ligurian peninsula wearing a buttermilk-coloured suit.

I'll suggest Porto Venere and heartily recommend Ristorante Le Bocche at the mouth of the harbour. Whilst you're in the vicinity, don't forget to pick up some freshly made pesto from Bajeicò - La Bottega del Pesto.