YES, PLEASE | ILLESTEVA EYEWEAR

Leonard, in Half tortoise

Although April showers are aplenty this spring, it's that time of year again to begin sunglasses hunting.  Enter, Illesteva a fairly new brand in the eyewear scene but one that has entered with a warm welcome and to many accolades. In my eyes, rightfully so. Since the introduction of their first line in 2009, founders Daniel Silberman and Jus Ske have come through with classic silhouettes in a range of high quality and distinctive materials ranging from bamboo and buffalo horn to titanium and acetate.   All the pieces are designed stateside by the New York based duo and hand made in Germany and Italy.

I'm a fan of the Leonard model (above), and now that round framed glasses are a big to-do these days, it's no wonder they're becoming more and more difficult to find as Summer draws nearer.  Although the Leonard is the stand out, the whole, versatile range is something to consider if you're looking for an alternative to the Persol/Ray Ban/Oliver Peoples staples. I've had several owners tell me they're the best pair they've ever bought, and I can vouch for their attractiveness in person as well - the photos, as lovely as they are, actually don't do these pieces justice. Plus, with a price point between $160 - $225 they'll afford you a quality pair of sunglasses without completely breaking the bank.  See more models after the jump and find where to buy online and off, here.  - M

// Illesteva.com

Leonard, in Half Tortoise

Leonard in Tortoise

Lennox, in Tortoise with removable sunglass clip-on

Lennox, in Tortoise (with sunglas clip on removed)

Lennox in Tortoise

Leonard, in Blonde

Howard, wood frames, in Brown

Howard, wood frames, in Brown

Albert, in Tortoise