Stella McCartney SS2012: eco-friendly eyewear

Stella McCartney launches an “eco-friendly” collection of sunglasses for next summer, using injected bio-plastic, which is made from 54% castor-oil seeds, a renewable resource. The organic castor plants grow in poor soil in semi-arid areas, using little water, very few pesticides and omit a lower CO₂ emission.

The collection is composed of two acetate models and three metal models which are available in a range of neutral tones, including browns, greens, greys, nudes and berries. From the top: SM4030, SM 3011 and SM4029.

Right, an image from Summer 2012 runway featuring large dress-matching sunglasses (model unknown).

Drift glasses: Feel good and look good in wood

Wooden glasses are really taking off. They began mainly in the luxury end of the spectacles market but prices are increasingly reasonable.

These latest timber offerings are from Drift Eyewear.

If you think these wooden temples – the fronts are acetate – are simply jigsawed out of some large plank and sanded down, think again. They are actually steel-reinforced, layered with hardwood on the outside another wood like maple on the inside. They're waterproof and UV-proof. Woods used include wenge, maple, bamboo and, like the one below, walnut... More interesting design info here.

All wood is sourced from FSC-certified suppliers and Drift, as well ensuring that its manufacturing is ecologically sound, is also a member of 1% for the Planet, where said percentage of sales helps environmental groups around the world.

So as well as feeling good in your face, they wooden spectacles will give you a warm glow inside.