Remember when Giorgio Armani launched its Frames of Life campaign earlier this year? Well, in a bid to keep things current, the Italian label has just unveiled a brand new interactive website to put the ad online, where users can choose what they watch and how they watch it.

And after having a little play around on it this morning, we have to say, it’s quite fun.

Giorgioarmani-framesoflife.com (excuse the mouthful) gives users the chance to customise their experience of the Frames of Life campaign every time they see it by choosing to become a director or photographer and creating their own short film or photo album from the video snippets and images available – and, as you might have guessed, they can be shared with friends across social media sites, too.

Of course, it’s also a chance to see the new Frames of Life glasses, inspired by Giorgio Armani’s archive eyewear collections. There’s a Pure Oval pair for women – an updated version of round 20s-inspired frames – and an Intellectual Chic pair for men – a thick-rimmed round 40s-inspired frame.

But unlike Burberry‘s or Hermes‘ streetstyle sites which provide endless sartorial inspiration, we’re not sure there’s the same urge to return once you’ve had your fun afternoon’s play on Giorgioarmani-framesoflife.

Go have a browse for yourself at Giorgioarmani-framesoflife.com – we’re pretty sure you’ll spend the next 15 minutes playing director, at least.

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If you’re an 80s fan, and you also happen to be a glasses wearer, you’re in luck. Next week, Giorgio Armani is launching its Frames of Life line – a collection of spectacles inspired by the brand’s original designs three decades ago.

Everyone loves a classic vintage resurrection – need we remind you of YSL? – and let’s not forget fashion’s current love affair with geeky glasses, so the timeliness of Giorgio Armani’s Frames of Life is pretty well-placed, if you ask us.

The traditional production methods of the 80s have been given a little 21st century jig to create the new frames, which will comprise of one style for women and one for men – both simple rounded shapes, according to the Daily – each in several colour options. But bad luck if you’re hoping for sunglasses, this is strictly optical only.

As with all collections there’ll be a suitably stylish launch to follow, and this one’s taking place in New York next week. There’s set to be a retrospective exhibition where style hunters can take a peek at the old archives as well as a cocktail party at Armani’s Fifth Avenue flagship store, after which the collection will be go on sale officially to the public.

Our better senses tell us snap these up – we have a feeling they’ll be quite sought-after once they’re gone.

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So she may have just announced the creation of her own clothing line, but Madonna’s already embracing her role as designer , for Dolce & Gabbana, no less.

Not content with being the face of their spring campaign, the Material Girl has come over all creative for her old friends, teaming up with the designer duo to design a range of sunglasses which bear the letter M on the arm.

And ever-enthusiastic Stefano is extremely excited about this, his and Domenico’s first co-branded collaboration.

“We’re so excited, said Gabbana of the new venture. “This further strengthens our relationship with Madonna, and it was a very constructive experience for us. She is very exacting and a professional who seeks perfection in everything she does, and this was no exception.

The eyewear line will be unveiled in May, at the same time as the release of the film noir-inspired ad campaigns for the collection, which also feature Madonna, Vogue UK reveal.

She doesn’t miss a beat.

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Yes, he’s made it into our headlines again. When he’s not jetting off to Russia or launching a mobile platform for e-commerce, Giorgio Armani is doing what he does best: designing. And here’s his latest creations , a new line of stylish eyewear.

Giorgio Armani has added five new designs to its previous collection (three women’s and two men’s), whilst Emporio Armani has adopted six new styles (2 women’s, four men’s).

The new S/S10 eyewear collections are decidedly vintage inspired, ranging from rectangular 50′s frames and oversized 60′s sunnies for women, to squared 80′s eyewear and reinterpreted 90′s styles for men.

We love the Giorgio Armani 756/S model , an oversized soft-squared 60′s style with contrasting slim arms, featuring the enamelled gold GA medallion, and the Emporio Armani 9607/S , another blast from the past with bold round frames, original grid pattern and chunky black arms branded with the metal eagle logo.

No news on the prices yet, but what with the new Armani models, the Olsen twins’ sunglasses line for The Row, and Gucci’s new Eyeweb designs, our eyes will be spoilt for choice next summer.

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I have a question. What is going to be the trend for sunglasses this summer and early Fall? – Michael (June 2nd, 2008)

Sunglasses are a funny thing in terms of trends because there are only so many ways to remodel a pair of spectacles. But, somehow, there is always some new utterly covetable style. The most obvious trend of the moment, for boys and girls, are the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.

Not exactly new, they have been hanging around on countless celebrities long enough to be completely ubiquitous but somehow still desirable. Fairly universally flattering and understated (so long as you steer clear of the nu-rave coloured variety) you can pick up a pair to match any price range from ASOS right through to the original brand.

One sunglasses trend that I know I will be embracing in some shape or form is tortoiseshell frames. Seen in every style from wayfarers to oversized, they remind me of dusty book shelves, 60s film stars, hippies in Morocco and gin and tonics in the garden all at the same time.

Karen Walker has some great chunky ones that look pretty good on boys and girls, while Topman/ Topshop have countless tortoiseshell frames in more subtle styles. Head there, also, for some pretty great Hockney-esque round frames (different versions for different sexes) to wear with summer’s florals, to channel Paul Smith’s Hockney-meets-Bloomsbury group aesthetic.

For more outlandish styles, round frames in general seem to be having a bit of a moment. Go for Dries van Noten-esque combination frames for an intellectual look that is far less faddy but still bang on trend (check ASOS for boys and girls).

As a lifetime lover of all thing Lolita, I must admit I am drawn to Topshop‘s heart-shaped frames like a moth to an ill-advised flame although I predict a window of mere weeks until they are hi-jacked and ruined by the pages of Heat magazine.

Elsewhere, Linda Farrow Vintage has the best selection of look-at-me frames from collaborations with designers such as Rodarte, Luella and Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony. For a nod to the 70s trend, scour vintage stores for some genuine oversized sunnies to wear with pale denim and printed scarves.

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Whomever coined the above phrase was seriously deluded. Granted, the frame choices of yore lacked much of the style that today’s glasses do, but eyeglasses can be seriously sexy. Gucci, Valentino, and now Marc Jacobs all have eyeglass frames for everyday wear that are as much of a personal style choice as what you put on your feet or wear out to an important event.

My own glasses are from Valentino; they have a subtle tiger-print pattern in a cat-eye shape, with three tiny topaz gemstones located on the top part of the frame on the outer edge of each of the lenses (they’re not visible when viewed from the front). I also love these tortoiseshell frames from Marc Jacobs as a statement-style, but not too flashy, option.

Alternately, for something a bit mod and sleeker, try these stainless Chanel frames with jeweled Chanel logo detailing on the side . These Armani frames in a clear violet are also gorgeous and really pop, but aren’t so trendy that you’ll be in search of new frames next season .

Chances are your local eyeglass shop will have an in-house expert who can recommend a frame shape and colour that will enhance your best features. So retire your contacts and put on your glasses…they are yet another way to express your own personal style.

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OK, so it’s been established that wearing sunglasses indoors is something only Bono or MJ (circa “Thriller) should be allowed to pull off…but what about sporting shades in the dead of winter?

Recently, celebs seem to never leave home without their tinted spectacles firmly glued to their faces, no matter the temperature or wind chill. They do this partly to shield their rolling eyes from the blinding flashes of the paparazzi and, of course, to add an air of mysteriousness and that “je ne sais quoi. Lucky for them, their favourite designers, like Marni, Vivienne Westwood and D&G, all pushed their latest collections of Fall/Winter eyewear at shows and in fashion magazines.

For the average gal though, it does still seem a tad self-indulgent or pretentious to wear sunglasses in scarf and mitten temps. But, the truth is, everyone has become a lot more conscious of the effects of sun damage. (Ahem, Britney single-handedly keeping spray tan shops in business.) Sunscreen and self-tanner have quickly become a part of basic year-round skincare, so maybe it shouldn’t be surprising for sunglasses to be the next in line.

There probably are doubters who will refuse to jump on the latest trend being marketed, but for fashion lovers at heart, who honestly can say “no to another good reason to go shopping and to help us better channel our inner glam?

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