Along with showcasing brotherly love, Sicily, Thailand and prosthetic penises, the television series The White Lotus has become a fashion trend kickstarter.
Jennifer Coolidge in season one popularised wearing kaftans away from the pool and Camilla boutiques. Theo James in season two made the knit polo shirt a summer staple for men, but current episodes focus on the eyes.
To indicate wealth and status, so far three characters have shielded their eyes from the Thai sun in frames from the fashion insider Italian brand L.G.R. – Carrie Coon: the lawyer in the mean girls trio, the troubled southern finance dad played by Jason Isaacs and his Buddhist daughter played by Sarah Catherine Hook all wear the brand.
Carrie Coon and Sarah Catherine Hook wearing L.G.R sunglasses in season three of The White Lotus.
“Securing placements in such high-profile productions is a process that begins long in advance,” says the label’s founder Luca Gnecchi Ruscone. “Sometimes nearly two years before the show airs.”
“When The White Lotus stylist and costume designer reached out to us, it was a great pleasure to be considered for the project.”
On the surface, the glasses are unremarkable. There are no flashy logos or tricky lenses, but it’s their understated aesthetic that has made the glasses glove box staples for celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet, Gigi Hadid and Cristian Ronaldo.
Even Italian designer Giorgio Armani, who has his own line of sunglasses, has been spotted sporting L.G.R frames.
The stylish sunglass gene has been passed down by eyewear influencer King Charles, who wore $530 Moscot sunglasses on last year’s royal tour of Australia, to his son Prince William who wears the L.G.R Suez frames (€450, $776).
“Each pair of L.G.R glasses is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in Italy, following a traditional production process that takes between 10 and 14 weeks from start to finish,” says Ruscone. “Every frame is carefully shaped, polished, and assembled with precise attention to detail.”
Ruscone founded the business in 2008, after vintage sunglasses he had inherited from his grandfather in Eritrea began receiving compliments.
Jason Isaacs in The White Lotus wearing L.G.R sunglasses.
“The continent’s landscapes, cultures, and heritage influence our designs, from earthy tones to adventurous aesthetics. In fact, all of our frames bear names linked to Africa, honouring the land that first inspired us.”
The sunglasses might be understated but Ruscone understands promoting quiet luxury requires partnerships that make noise, such as his relationship with The White Lotus.
“We work closely with production teams for both films and TV series, securing significant placements over the years. Recently, our glasses have appeared in major Netflix series such as Emily in Paris, The Sandman, Ripley and in Industry.”
Unlike Australian designer Camilla Franks, who appeared briefly in season two of The White Lotus, Ruscone is happy participating in the show, screening in Australia on Binge, from his sofa and desk.
“The moment where you see your eyewear on screen, it’s an incredibly proud feeling.”
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