Laced with the hindsight that the Spring Summer 2019 show last October was to be Karl Largerfeld’s final summertime collection, there is now a formidable poignancy to what was his celebratory seashore fête. As the models swanned along a man-made shoreline constructed within the confines of Paris’ Grand Palais, the fashion legend brought-to-life his vision du jour – that of the South of France.

Once again, aside from the delectable palette and intricate fabrications of garment finery, it was the fantastical accoutrement and gushingly covetable accents that soared the show, and the collection, from expectedly fabulous to stratospherically collectible. Shooting it straight into the awe-books of editors, celebrities and fans alike.

OCTOBER 2018. Chanel spring summer 2019, Paris. By Karl Largerfeld. Getty Images

With a select few featured within the show, the spring summer 2019 eyewear collection of both sunglasses and opticals is now serving as the label’s must-have seasonal takeaway. Available in Australia via the Chanel boutique, the focus (so to speak) this time is on raw, lightweight materials with an Ombre of hued lenses. The label’s use of tone and tactility gives welcome homage to everything we know and love about beachside life, in particular, the clever crafting of denims, metallics and even straw-like accents into their butterfly and rectangular shaped frames. The distinct, yet understated, designs have resulted in a chic series that musters a sophisticated castaway theme. Chanel’s classic pilot shape, too, has been given a from-where-you’d-rather-be tint with the addition of an engaging sunset-golden glass. And spectacles have been designed to lighten up, quite literally, with delicately stylish thin-rimmed oval and butterfly shapes.

The graphic, studio-shot campaign featuring Vittoria Ceretti and Kris Grikaite was shot by Lagerfeld, himself. The inimitable designer known not only for his fashion expertise but also for his handiwork behind the lens. Ironically, he was never without his own lenses, using sunglasses as a type of fashionable shield, rarely revealing the eyes behind. Fittingly, Shakespeare’s commonplace quote, “the eyes are the window to the soul” lends apt truth to the fact that, in turn then, eyewear must be the soul’s armour.

So, from the man that put his soul into every faction of his life’s work (the design, the image, the photography) this eyewear collection is one to keep close and wear with Karl levels of pride. It will be good for the soul.

Chanel spring summer 2019 eyewear collection, available in Chanel boutiques now