Illesteva

Profile

Luxury Italian sunglasses brand Illesteva debuted as an e-shop in 2010. Five years later, thanks to a fan base fueled by the likes of Glamour and Vogue, it chose New York City for its first ever retail store. In Soho, the shop is notably devoid of flash: simple wooden displays against whitewashed brick. The brand’s top seller is the Leonard, which combines a round, professorial shape with a bold, black acetate frame. Then there’s the Tribeca, Illesteva’s version of the ubiquitous horn-rim, featuring a startling metal bridge—think Buddy Holly, if he owned a Williamsburg loft in the 21st century. Also popular is the Milan, with perfectly round, minimalist frames that recall John Lennon. Many of these styles can be customized with metallic lenses that range from pink to silver, for finely calibrated flashiness. And celebrities have noticed: Beyoncé, Lena Dunham, and Sam Smith are among the brand’s most notable patrons. Optical frames are $165, while sunglasses start at $177. And though the glasses are the main draw, Illesteva also carries an array of leather bags—from minimalist leather backpacks ($660) to pastel metallic cross bodies ($480)—and pricey handmade umbrellas ($250), which run the gamut from a simple black canvas to a more striking model with an ornate flower design on the underside of the canopy. — Eric Barbera