Currently Coveting: Barton Perreira’s retro-inspired shades

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The recent warm weather has us pining for a new pair of sunnies. And while L.A. boasts its fair share of stylish homespun eyewear companies — notably Salt Optics and L.A. Eyeworks — we’re especially smitten with the fall collection from Venice-based brand Barton Perreira.

Oversized and decidedly retro, the label’s looks for autumn take inspiration from iconic muses and movies from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including Marianne Faithfull and characters from ‘Love Story’ and “Rebel Without a Cause,’ said brand co-founder Perreira, who explained,“Some of the frames in this collection have a real collegiate feel to the shape, while others embody the more glamorous and defiant spirit of the Chelsea music scene.”

Some of our favorite styles among the new offerings include the Faithful, oversized plastic frames that flare out at the corners in that groovy ‘60s way; the Chanteuse, a semi-rimless design that boasts a hand-foiled animal print detail over the eyes; and the Barrett, which was inspired by Ryan O’Neal’s character, Oliver Barrett IV, in “Love Story.’

Perreira, who founded the label with Bill Barton after the pair met while working at Oliver Peoples, claims to not follow trends when she’s designing — but the trendy have definitely come calling.

Celebrities including Kate Beckinsale and Angeline Jolie regularly sport BP spex, and the designer recently collaborated with Opening Ceremony and Chloe Sevigny on a limited edition collection inspired by Warhol superstar Candy Darling.

Prices for the fall collection range from $425 to $550 at Opening Ceremony and Neiman Marcus.

--Emili Vesilind