Leiber's latest collection

Trendy’s off this Thursday. We’re going for monsoon manicures and suggest you get one, too! See you back next Tuesday July 29, 2008.

Perhaps you spent your summer eyeballing Moroccan mosaics on your Med cruise. And possibly you shed your rose-tinted Jackie Os and came back wishing you had the moolah and the chutzpah to bring home a piece of that awesome art instead of the souvenir-stall keychains dangling an Eiffel Tower.

I have news for you: I can actually wear my architectural mood of the moment on my sleeve — well, alright, over my ear — these days, without so much as stepping out of the city. This season’s Leiber eyewear collection doesn’t just feature the ever-popular Art Deco inspiration, it takes its hue from the artistry of ethnic embellishments.

Which doesn’t mean naive beading and chi-chi cowries, oh no! At Leiber, it means gold and silver engraving a la Mayan sacred vessels. Native American ornaments echoed in artful bead wraps. Or jewelled fillets in their usual gorgeous Austrian crystals and laser engraving on cast metal to mimic pottery and sculpture in stone. Colourful, eyeball-grabbing — not a single 80s neon-bright plastic orb in sight either!

Moi, I loved the mosaic squares and stripes on tortoiseshell-and marble-esque backing. Perfect for pairing with minakari and this season’s safari suits both. So contemporary, yet so 3rd century! For the evening, though, I’ll go with classic bejewelled Art Deco — never fear looking like a silly Bolly starlet either, these delicate frames can take clear glass as well as dark! But for upping the ante on white shirt and blue jeans, the Art Deco mosaic swirl in bold red and black.

One warning: You’ll be tempted to pull back your hair and present your profile for every air kiss with these sunnies — and lead the culture conversation. So practice your most elegant neck roll.

Available at Leiber boutiques in Delhi (Claridges Hotel, New Delhi; ph: 41335058) and Mumbai (Shop No. 16, Atria Mall, Mumbai; ph: 24813586-87). In Bangalore, call 09920026209 to arrange a viewing or place an order. Prices: Rs 22,000-29,000.