Buying goggles can be tricky business; every brand claims that theirs are the best and you won’t find better elsewhere. There is often little truth in this, but hopefully we can shed some light on the situation for you and give you an idea of what you should be wearing out on the slopes. New releases from Oakley Goggles, Adidas Goggles, Dirty Dog Goggles, Dragon Goggles, POC Goggles and Arnette Goggles give you options from all sorts of brands and price ranges. If you go out on the slopes a lot, you will have heard of most of these brands, however some of the newcomers will surprise even the most experienced skiers out there with their eyewear technology and designs.

Of course the biggest hitter in the snow goggle market is always Oakley Goggles and their new releases for the 13/14 Autumn/Winter season are quite simply things to be marveled at! The most notable new release has to be the Oakley Airwave Goggles which is one of the most innovative, ground-breaking snow goggles the world has ever seen! It is not just the best set of goggles to ever grace the winter sports scene, it is one of the best overall pieces of technology that has been released in recent history. The Oakley Airwave Goggles features a built-in heads-up display that mimics what appears to be a 14-inch screen seen at a distance of five feet displaying a wide range of imagery and information, including where a skier is, where their friends are, and even data about the last jump they took, or the last run they skied!

The Oakley Airwave Goggles are also compatible with your smartphone and allows you to read texts on the heads up display and even play music while you are boarding. This smartphone connectivity also allows you to find out exactly where your friends are on the slopes and the Oakley Airwave Goggles will provide you with the best route to get to them and in the quickest time. One of the best features of the Oakley Airwave Goggles has to be the built in Jump Analytics system which incorporates an accelerometer and a gyroscope to track how high a jump was and how it compared to previous jumps. The goggles also can show how fast a run was, maximum speed for a run, the amount of vertical drop in a run, a list of runs taken over the course of the day, and much more! It compiles all that data and can display it on demand – or it can save it for viewing later on the Airwave community Web site.

On top of the Airwave, Oakley have also refreshed their ever popular Oakley Airbrake Goggles collection with new signature editions from Seth Morrison and Terje Haakonsen to just name drop a couple of pro skiers there! Thanks to the Switchlock technology employed by the Oakley Airbrake Goggles, you will never have to spend hours trying to change your lens on the slopes again. It takes a matter of seconds to swap the lenses and give you perfect vision once again. As with all Oakley Goggles that feature Plutonite lenses, the Oakley Airbrake Goggles offer full HD and XYZ Optics meaning that light is never refracted through the lens and it gives you 100% perfect clarity of vision at all times.

The other notably new Oakley Goggles to be released this winter are the Oakley 02 XL Goggles and Oakley 02 XS Goggles. Much like their predecessors, the Oakley O Frame, the Oakley 02 Goggles are designed for be lightweight, comfortable and not break the bank! You can now have Oakley’s unrivalled technology at a very reasonable price. Although you are not getting HD Optics in this frame, the Lexan lenses provide nearly perfect clarity out on the slopes and are perfect for first time skiers! Made from O Matter, the frames are incredibly lightweight to wear and can barely even be felt on your face when you are out and about. A variety of lens and frame colours are available allowing you not only to customise your look, but keep up to speed with the ever changing light conditions. The Oakley 02 XL Goggles are specifically made for people with a medium to large size face/head and the Oakley 02 XS Goggles are designed for people with a small to medium size face/head.

Of course, it is not just Oakley that are dominating the goggles market, there is also the return of Dragon Goggles whose forerunner – the Dragon APX Goggles – are bring their frameless technology back to the market! The Dragon APX Goggles are the most innovative and technically advanced pair of goggles within the Dragon collection and were tested in the most extreme conditions by members of Dragon’s Pro Team, product designers and retailers. The ultra sleek Dragon APX Goggles feature a highly unique Infinity Lens design that provides the wearer with an unrestricted field of vision, improved peripheral vision and also means that the goggle is lightweight and comfort is enhanced. The Dragon APX Goggles also boast Armored Venting positioned on the top of the goggle, which creates a funnel for water to move and prevents it from being absorbed. In addition, the goggles feature a triple layer of Polar-Tech fleece and the most dynamic Super Anti-Fog technology. The APX goggles are incredibly sleek in aesthetic style and all display the iconic Dragon logo positioned upon the side strap. The designs are available in an array of vibrant colours and patterns in addition to a selection of more understated styles if preferred.

If it is your first time on the slopes, you probably wont want to go all out and spend a lot of money on goggles, so why not opt for something a little cheaper which still offers amazing technology and designs? Dirty Dog Goggles provide awesome optics and eyewear technology whilst keeping costs down! They are fitted with Polycarbonate lenses that have been treated with a specially developed Anti-Fog coating so these goggles will give you maximum clarity in the harshest conditions. Dirty Dog have then added Custom Venting Air Flow Technology (CVAFT) to give extra protection against dangerous lens fogging and giving you exceptionally clear field of vision. The Dirty Dog (CVAFT) Ventilation System uses carefully chosen areas for the intake and exhaust of cooling air.  Their face foam is a super soft open cell technical foam designed to maximise comfort. Produced with materials tested to -20 degrees you can wear them with the confidence that they will perform as well as you will, sometimes better!

Adidas Goggles are one of the recently launched accessories by the brand and they are also renowned for their practical capabilities and stylish aesthetic. When skiing or snowboarding eye and face protection is a top priority and Adidas Goggles effectively counteract the effects of the wind, sun and snow and provide exceptional visual clarity. The goggles also feature the famous Adidas three stripe branding. Superb quality and high style along with affordability is what Adidas is about and the range of Adidas goggles is certainly the best way to hit the slopes safely and in style. Remember, there are also ranges from Arnette Goggles, Bolle Goggles and POC Goggles too!

Make sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases in the fashion and eyewear world…

The watch world can be a confusing and difficult to navigate place, with trends coming and going quicker than most of us change our underwear! However, help is at hand with Shade Station’s fool proof guide to ‘up-to-date’ watch trends; everything from celebrity styles to what you are wearing out on the streets, you will fine anything you need to know right here. With the Autumn/Winter months fast approaching, the emphasis is shifting from designer eyewear to designer wrist-wear and it is important to any fashionista that what you are wearing is ‘on trend’. This coming season is not only about materials and quality but about shape and if you a man or a woman there is a definite trend appearing amongst those best in the know…celebrities!

Be a Square

Ladies, you have a huge selection for the winter months but the square faced watches are fast becoming the must have accessory for any discerning lady in the know. Here at Shade Station there are plenty of brands that produce these squared off watches, but a few of them really take the style to a whole new level. Hollywood’s little sweetheart, Zooey Deschanel for example is pictured on the left here wearing a Citizen Eco-Drive FD1053-00D Watch which features  textured brown leather strap leading into a gold plated stainless steel case; beautifully encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The face is a striking Mother of Pearl effect and has a sub-dial chronograph and a sub-dial date window giving you efficient Citizen time keeping all year round. In this case, Zooey has combined her watch with her classic ‘girl next door’ autumn look with a jumper and jeans – proof that a watch like this can be worn as a day-to-day casual timepiece.

Citizen is officially the world’s largest watchmaker and this is a distinction they have upheld since 1986! From the world’s slimmest LCD watch to the first voice recognition watch and the world’s first professional dive watch with an electronic depth sensor, Citizen’s record of “world firsts” is unmatched. Citizen’s classic styling and fantastic company ethic has led them to create their ‘eco-drive’ watches. These are a range of light powered watches which work in both natural and artificial light which allows for a lifetime of perfect time keeping. If you are looking to keep on trend and have unrivalled efficiency; Citizen Watches are perfect for this season.

Next up on the ever growing list of square watch advocates is Australian model, Miranda Kerr! Kerr rose to prominence in 2007 as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels. She is the first Australian to participate in the Victoria’s Secret campaign and also represented Australian fashion chain David Jones. In addition, Kerr has launched her own brand of organic skincare products, Kora Organics, and released a self-help book, Treasure Yourself. So it is fair to say that Miranda certainly has a foothold in the fashion industry and has some say on what is hot for the Autumn/Winter season! Pictured here on the left, Kerr is wearing the simply stunning Roamer Swiss Elegance DS75.10ROX 507845 Watch which features a highly polished stainless steel bracelet leading into a case of the same material. The face is also silver and the vibrant blue feature hands add a little more dimension to the appearance of this dainty yet bold timepiece!

Roamer Watches have been producing the highest quality timepieces for over 120 years and this experience has filtered through to their watches today. Roamer as a company aims to cater to people who like to spend their leisure time with friends and family and can synthesise traditional values with modern convictions; much like their watches can! Roamer Watches are crafted in Switzerland. The Swiss Made seal of quality has established itself worldwide as synonymous with premium production techniques and the highest product quality. For generations, Roamer has enjoyed an excellent reputation with clients and partners for its inimitable ability to combine functionality and elegance with a balanced, aesthetically pleasing design.

Remember, it is not just the watches pictured above that we have, there are also square faces available from the likes of Michael Kors Watches, DKNY Watches, Emporio Armani Watches and many, many more!

Back To The Beginning

Don’t worry guys, you haven’t been left out! Men also have a vast array of watches to be going at this season with massive names juxtaposed by relative newcomers to our watch market. The real trendsetters for the cold months have to be the retro inspired, classic looking timepieces that everyone is currently clambering to get their hands on! Celebrities and the public alike are all looking to get in on the act and have a household name emblazoned on their wrist. There are a couple of brands that spring to mind as classics; Hugo Boss Black Watches, Emporio Armani Watches, Calvin Klein Watches and Accurist Watches to name but a few and these big names demand big endorsement so what better way to showcase their popularity than by brandishing some celebrity photos!

Pictured here on the left, Jeremy Renner is showing off his understated Emporio Armani Marco AR1611 Watch – it features a textured black leather strap which leads into a high polished stainless steel case. The face is of a retro design and is a simple black colour palette to accentuate the original look.  The Emporio Armani Watches collection is designed to have a unique feature which inherently outlines each person’s individuality and style. As said best by by Giorgio Armani himself – A watch tells more than time, it reveals something about the wearer. This quote could not be more true, which is why a wide assortment of classic styles in both round and shaped cases are available with both genuine leather straps and striking stainless steel bracelets. On top of pure unmitigated fashion watches, the Emporio Armani Watches collection also features sports watches and they are available in a variety shapes, styles and colours. They feature a reliable three-hand movement and chronograph feature to keep good time, all of the time!

Another big name with a big watch is Michael Fassbender; as you can see from the picture he is sporting an original Hugo Boss Black 1512906 Watch! Fassbender is best known for his on screen appearances, but this off screen one got many people rushing to get hold of his striking watch. The Hugo Boss Black 1512906 Watch has a Black leather strap which leads into a Carbon Coated Titanium Case. Although understated, as you can tell the materials used are unrivalled and you can be sure of the highest possible quality from any Hugo Boss Black Watch.

The Hugo Boss brand was founded by German designer Hugo Boss in 1923 and is an incredibly firm player in the fashion industry, famous for its sophisticated and sharp product ranges, luxe advertising campaigns and overall brand elegance. Hugo Boss produces a diverse range of clothing and accessories, including the collection of watches. Hugo Boss watches comprise of designs for men and women and are renowned for being one of the most luxurious watch brands in the industry, fusing classic aesthetics with rugged detailing and contemporary, chic twists.

Whatever you are looking for, whatever the trend or time of year – we have it covered here at Shade Station! Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest views, news and releases from the fashion world…

With summer out of the way, Adidas Eyewear are looking to their next big releases; the Autumn/Winter 2013 collections and the big news is their Hydrophobic filter technology!

Nature is unpredictable. Up in the mountains the weather can change from one minute to the next, straight from sunshine to rain. Extra care is needed in this case, as rain makes the surface underfoot wet and slippery and also restricts your vision. Cutting edge Hydrophobic filter technology from Adidas Eyewear is designed to improve the vision and safety of all outdoor sports enthusiasts out in the terrain. The new Hydrophobic LST polarised H+, LST blue light filter H, and LST bright H filters quickly repel water drops leaving no annoying streaks on the filters. Particles of dirt and dust are simply washed away. This state of the art lens technology is now available in Adidas Sunglasses‘ best selling frames including the Adidas Terrex Sunglasses and Adidas Swift Sunglasses.

Next up are Adidas Goggles. The already multiple award-winning Adidas ID2 Goggles skiing and snowboarding range is taking eyewear technology a step further. Technically enhanced and featuring an innovative lens change system, the pro version of the classic goggle has become a firm favourite on the slopes. Since its debut appearance in 2008, the Adidas ID2 Goggle has taken centre stage, winning the red dot design award and the ISPO Boardsports Award in recognition of its innovative technologies and striking design. This helmet-compatible goggle with a unique 2-frame levelling system allows the wearer to react immediately to changing weather conditions. The other functions of the ID2 pro are also impressive: ventilation system, anti-fog coating and a nano-foam refinement at the air vents to ensure a dry interior and condensation-free vision. For all winter sports enthusiasts who rely on corrective lenses, the ID2 pro can also be fitted with an optical insert.

Keep your eyes peeled for all of Adidas Eyewear’s newest releases in the coming months! Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and behind the scenes info from the fashion and eyewear world…

Just a quick note that London Fashion Week has now been and gone for this year and a couple of our brands were in attendance showing off their wares! Although consisting primarily of clothes and full outfits, the catwalk designs often filter into eyewear, watches and jewellery for the coming season – this allows you to really complete your look or combine various designers. For us, it also gives an idea of what next season’s most popular eyewear will look like…and then we pass this knowledge onto you!

The man of the moment is Tom Ford – his catwalk was one of the huge highlights of the week and his focus was clearing on one material; leather. Beautiful leather coats and shirts were combined with fur to create a truly individual and unique look; something which we will surely be seeing in his next sunglasses release. Tom Ford Sunglasses are eclectic, luxurious and edgy with a glossy, high-fashion appeal. Ranging from elaborately bold and striking cat-eye inspired styles to preppy 1960’s inspired thick-rimmed sunglasses, if you’re looking to infuse personality and expression into your look, Tom Ford Sunglasses are the ideal choice! The overstated styles are equally balanced with a selection of more demure and timeless designs including chic aviators and elegant oversized sunglasses, with many styles featuring the iconic and simple Tom Ford T-bar temple detailing.

Also in attendance was Paul Smith – his catwalk aimed at creating new classics which had a little something extra. He is famed for his slogan ‘Trousers Galore’ and it was still evident during the show – colourful and striking trousers were made perfectly for men and women alike. Of course we stock Paul Smith Sunglasses and this level of design is also shown in each model that we sell – unmistakeably English, the designs reflect Paul’s own personality and he continues to have his input in the design of each set of sunglasses that are made. It is this level of care and continued intricacy that elevates Paul Smith above companies and designers of the same stature. From one man in Nottingham, Paul Smith Sunglasses are now global – they are sold in over 44 countries worldwide and right here at Shade Station we are giving you the chance to have your very own piece of this rich history! Paul Smith has an ability to anticipate, and even spark off trends not only in eyewear but in the wider context of popular culture. He manages to transmit a genuine sense of humour and mischief mixed with his love of tradition and retro styling.

Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases from the fashion and eyewear world…

Revo Sunglasses ambassador Jimmy Chin is renowned worldwide for his work with a camera. One of the best in the business and a person who knows no limits when it comes to capturing the perfect shot.

Jimmy is not only seen as a photographer as he goes to some of the most unlikely of places to produce his perfect moment captured on film. Jimmy Chin is also a climber, alpine mountaineer and skier and has worked with some of the most influential people in the outdoor world; Conrad Anker to name only one.

Jimmy has taken many expeditions in his stride for perfection and has notably become part of the team to first ski Mount Everest. Jimmy has an outlook on life that only a select few seem to have inside of them. He states putting the cameraman and the objective he is shooting “in the moment together” will create the most honest and visually pleasing shot.

He works for some huge global brands such as The North Face and National Geographic. He is also an Ambassador for Revo Sunglasses.  Jimmy needs perfectly clarity and definition when shooting up in the mountains.  Jimmy chooses Revo Sunglasses for their excellent build quality using sustainable materials and the obvious point of having excellent vision.  Each Revo frame is polarised which offers clarity, definition and less eye fatigue when conditions can become tough and even dangerous. Great examples of this can be found in the Revo Calibrate Sunglasses, Revo Descend N Sunglasses, Revo Descend W Sunglasses and Revo Thrive Sunglasses frames.

With the winter approaching the snow should be falling soon so get out there! Climb a mountain in Scotland, descend down the Welsh valleys or float down the Humber River.  Whatever your activity, whatever your passion, make sure you choose the best clarity eyewear for maximum protection and maximum performance.

We hope to see you out there! Polarise life…

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Chanel Sunglasses and Chanel Glasses are continually surprising us with their consistently impressive stream of beautiful eyewear and the coming season’s models are no different! Firstly, there is the Velvet Touch Collection – autumnal shades of taupe, deep brown, pop blue and jet-black blends with the acetate frames whose temples are swathed in velvet. The large round and butterfly sunglasses propose a look that is voluminous and elegant and is both feminine and sensual, while the oval, round and square-shaped optical glasses assume an urban and delicately soft attitude. The hand-inserted temples are 100% velvet and boast an insulation treatment to avoid migraines. Chanel’s symbolic use of tweed is mimicked throughout the front acetate frame which is adjustable at the rear of the temple arm.

Next up is the Glossy Chain Collection – elegantly intertwined with patent leather on the temples of the frames, the Glossy Chain presents a palette of tones ranging from deepest black to crystalline transparency creating a youthful appeal. The sun collection possesses edgy cat eye shapes and pop colours identifiable at Chanel 2013/14 Fall winter READY-TO-WEAR show.  These sunglasses take on vibrant shades, such as incandescent red or storm blue, and also comes in a two-tone black and white model. Integrated on the hinge is a characteristic Chanel signature, only seen when the frame is folded.  The optical models come in an oval, round, rectangular or square shape and the copper chain is created using the micro fusion technique which is cloaked in hand inserted calf leather.

Finally, the Galuchat (gal-u-cha) & Gold Collection – Galuchat is skin of the stingray – it is halfway between leather and a mineral. The stingray is covered with beads of silica and is difficult to tan.  It can be shown in different forms; granular, shiny or sanded. The sunglasses are a classic and immediately identifiable Chanel silhouette frame. The temples are enclosed in jet-black galuchat, fabricating a hypnotic, graceful yet ultimate presence. These temples are then encased in a gold or white gold surround beautifully contrasting the black of galuchat. The galuchat is ground to create a mosaic patterned appearance which is soft to the touch and is incredibly resistant to heat and water. The galuchat is combined with nylon fiber to ensure seamless adhesion to the temple and all Galuchat & Gold frames have Polarised lenses!

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Days are short, nights are long – Winter is here again! Sunglasses are taking a back seat for the season and our stunning Watches, Goggles and Accessories come to the forefront and take centre stage. There are stunning new models from Oakley Goggles, POC Goggles, Dirty Dog Goggles, Dragon Goggles and Adidas Goggles to be combined with innovative POC and Dirty Dog Helmets to keep you safe and sound out there on or off piste. Completing your look is very important too so we have a selection of beautiful watches from old favourites such as Hugo Boss Watches, Michael Kors Watches, Accurist Watches, Emporio Armani Watches, Adidas Watches, Calvin Klein Watches and Casio Watches! In this style update we are going to look at all of these stunning new products and explain why they are must-buys this Winter season.

Let’s start by looking at Oakley Goggles and most notably the Oakley Airwave 1.5 Goggles which are simply sensational. Oakley Airwave 1.5 Goggles combine world-class performance, protection and comfort with a heads-up display that integrates GPS, Bluetooth and more with a host of onboard sensors to give you instant access to a world of information. The revolutionary design allows you to view jump analytics that show distance, height and airtime. With preloaded maps available for many resorts, you can find your location and even track others in your group. Additional sensor information includes altitude, speed and vertical descent data. Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with a compatible smartphone for immediate viewing of incoming calls and text messages, and if your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone has music, your playlists can be accessed and controlled. Oakley Switchlock Technology makes the lens changing process quick and hassle-free, allowing you to take advantage of Oakley’s wide array of optional lens tints that optimize vision for environmental conditions. The durable chassis is made of lightweight O Matter that stays comfortably flexible, and O-Flow Arch technology reduces nasal pressure to improve airflow for free breathing.

There are other incredible additions to the Oakley Goggles family – two recognisably new models in the Oakley 02 XL Goggles and Oakley 02 XS Goggles. Much like it’s predecessor, the Oakley O Frame, the Oakley 02 XL Goggles are designed for be lightweight, comfortable and not break the bank! Made from O Matter, the frames are incredibly lightweight to wear and can barely even be felt on your face when you are out and about. A variety of lens and frame colours are available allowing you not only to customise your look, but keep up to speed with the ever changing light conditions. Predictably, the 02 XL Goggles are designed for medium to large faces whilst the 02 XS Goggles are made from small to medium faces. Remember there are also the old favourites still on the shelves including Oakley Airbrake Goggles, Oakley Canopy Goggles and Oakley A Frame Goggles – so you are sure to find a frame that suits!

With Dragon Goggles the future is frameless – the Dragon APX Goggles and Dragon NFX Goggles are two of Dragon’s greatest ever creations; they feature their groundbreaking frameless technology for an unrivalled aesthetic and field of vision! Although immediately similar to look at, both the APX and NFX differ massively – despite both having huge lenses for maximum clarity. Made with a Spherical lens, the APX is the most technically advanced and the tapering of the lens allows for near perfect vision at all times. Combined with the Armored Venting positioned on the top of the goggle, which creates a funnel for water to move and prevents it from being absorbed, they are a force to be reckoned with in the snow leisure industry. Although made with a cylindrical lens, the NFX Goggles still have great clarity of vision but are cheaper than the the top of the range APX. These frames are perfect for the first time skier who doesn’t want to break the bank by buying expensive goggles.

Speaking of not breaking the bank, Dirty Dog Goggles provide a cheaper alternative for those first-time skiers out there. Dirty Dog Goggles are fitted with Polycarbonate lenses that have been treated with a specially developed Anti-Fog coating so these goggles will give you maximum clarity in the harshest conditions. Dirty Dog have then added Custom Venting Air Flow Technology (CVAFT) to give extra protection against dangerous lens fogging and giving you exceptionally clear field of vision. The Dirty Dog (CVAFT) Ventilation System uses carefully chosen areas for the intake and exhaust of cooling air.  It is also worth noting that ALL Dirty Dog Goggle lenses are spherical which means that the lenses have incredible optical clarity. We are sure that you won’t find any other brand which offers this kind of innovation for such a good price!

Finally, the new kids on the block are POC Goggles – although they are new in to us, they are one of the biggest and most well established brands on the snow leisure scene. POC is short for Protective Concepts and they are developed to optimize need, function and protection, depending on activity and conditions. Along with protecting your eyes from snow, ice, rain, slipstream, uv-rays, branches as well as assisting your vision in different light conditions, POC have worked on optimizing the field of view, for better periphery perception, fast reaction and therefore promoting safety. POC Goggles have Double Lenses which feature an injection molded outer lens. This allows for a great variation of the shape and geometry, allowing optimized coverage and 3D shape of the lens. This results in better field of vision as well as better optics, since the shape can be optimized for the frame and the resulting distance from the wearer’s eyes. This type of double lens is die-cut. This means that the lenses are cut out from a sheet, allowing for a highly efficient production process plus great possibilities to change the tint and VLT of the lenses.

Special NXT Lenses are equipped with a colour vision boosting filter – HCD (High Chromatic Definition) which has an extreme contrast enhancing effect and takes goggle lens clarity to a new dimension. To help you keep your lens clean and clear you will also find an excellent Oleophobic/Hydrophobic treatment as well as an Anti-scratch/Anti-fog treatment. Except for these unique “basic” features we also added a Photochromatic filter. The Photochromatic filter enables the lens to change the tint color depending on the current light conditions.

Along with their goggles we have an excellent selection of POC Accessories for you, most notably their helmets. The helmets are loaded with new innovations including MIPS technology and their unrivalled APB barrier! The new MIPS technology mimics one of the safety systems which already exist in the human head. When the head is subjected to an oblique impact, the brain can slide along a membrane on the inner surface of the skull, which reduces the forces transmitted to the brain. This protective feature has, with the MIPS technology, been incorporated into the helmet – an invaludable addition to your ski wear this winter. POC Accessories’ APB technology or Aramid Penetration Barrier uses Aramid (also known as Kevlar) which is a short form for aromatic polyamide. A fibre that provides exceptional strength and thereby, if used correctly, can be used to provide protection against penetration in applications such as bullet proof clothing. POC is using Aramid as a soft penetration barrier to protect from sharp objects penetrating the helmets.

As aforementioned, we strongly believe that accessorizing is of vital importance no matter what the season is, however this Winter we have an awesome array of watches for you to complete any look! Still at the forefront in the industry is Michael Kors Watches and their ‘glitzy’ diamante embellished new watches are the must have accessory of the season. This selection of Michael Kors Watches all feature striking diamante encrusted cases, bezels, straps and even faces on some occasions. This added sparkle provides a fantastically eye-catching addition to your outfit and there is a colour to go with any style preference. Each individually set stone catches the light perfectly and allows it to pass through creating a prism effect that you won’t find with any other brand. Michael Kors Watches pride themselves on the quality and passion that goes into each timepiece and it is easy to see why.

Remember, we still have an incredible selection of sunglasses from the likes of Oakley Sunglasses, Ray-Ban Sunglasses, Chanel Sunglasses, Prada Sunglasses, Bvlgari Sunglasses and Tom Ford Sunglasses to name but a few. Your eyes’ protection is of paramount importance and with the ground being wet and a bit of Winter sun coming through we would always advise those ingenious Polarised lenses!

Adidas Goggles athlete, Kelly McGarry had the crowd screaming out loud during his run at the Redbull Rampage 2013 in Utah, USA. The 31-year old laid-back Kiwi, who got 2nd at this years Red Bull Rampage, is one of the tallest (if not THE tallest) riders in the MTB freeride scene – but that does not stop him from back-flipping the hugest gaps!

Wearing his Adidas Pinner Goggles allows McGarry to have maximum peripheral vision and a comfort that you won’t find elsewhere. When you are doing these kinds of crazy runs it is important to wear a helmet so the Pinner’s helmet compatibility is vital to Kelly’s success. A fully adjustable headstrap with adhesive strips maximizes it’s useability and thanks to Adidas Goggles‘ incredible optics you won’t miss anything!

Check out Kelly’s run from his point of view (if you dare) courtesy of his amazing GoPro Camera…

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Upload your photo any of our social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Instagram (@shadestation)!

Watches are the perfect accessory to complete any outfit and over the Spring/Summer months, we have been collating some of the world’s most renowned watch brands to showcase for you this Winter! Trends are a difficult thing to predict, however this season it is all about making your own choices and setting your own trends – whether it be out there and daring pieces of wrist candy or more demure and understated classic models. Here at Shade Station we know the importance of showing off the classics as well as the new kids on the block, therefore we have some super cool fan’s favourites ready for your viewing delectation. Brands such as Fossil Watches, Hugo Boss Black Watches, Michael Kors Watches, Marc by Marc Jacobs Watches, Calvin Klein Watches and Emporio Armani Watches are still setting the world alight with their ever-popular designs and timeless appeal. On top of these we also have a beautiful array of new models including additions from Accurist Watches, Adidas Watches, Casio Watches and even collectors watches from Doctor Who Collectors Watches and Star Wars Collectors Watches! In this Style Update we are going to look through some of the brands mentioned and give you a bit more of an idea ready for the festive season.

First up we have the brand which is taking the world by storm (still) – Michael Kors Watches! Hot right now are their glitzy Camille Watches and the classic Parker Watch style. The stunning Michael Kors Camille Watches feature striking diamante encrusted cases, bezels, straps and even faces on some occasions. This added sparkle provides a fantastically eye-catching addition to your outfit and there is a colour to go with any style preference. Each individually set stone catches the light perfectly and allows it to pass through creating a prism effect that you won’t find with any other brand. Michael Kors Watches pride themselves on the quality and passion that goes into each timepiece and it is easy to see why. All of his creations embody a sense of exquisite design style, are luxurious with a casual twist and are highly sophisticated and elegant. The overall Michael Kors brand mission is to bring customers a ready-to-wear collection that is sleek, chic and simple. This brings us perfectly onto the Michael Kors Parker Watches – they are available in a variety of colours and materials from the graceful stainless steel straps right through to the comfortable leather straps. A diamante encrusted bezel adds a little extra sparkle to your outfit whilst the sub-dial chronograph and date window makes the Parker incredibly practical too!

Next up in the classic wrist-wear stakes is Hugo Boss Black Watches – a brand which has been around for years and worn by some of the world’s most prominent and fashionable celebrities. Predominantly a male brand, Hugo Boss Black Watches are famous for their sophisticated and sharp product ranges, luxe advertising campaigns and overall brand elegance. Hugo Boss Watches are designed using only the most innovative and cutting edge technologies. The founder of the brand, Hugo Boss, was known for his meticulous way of working and fine attention to detail, whereby each and every product was subject to the highest testing and quality control. This approach to designing and manufacturing has transcended through to the Hugo Boss Watch collections and therefore every design is a work of aesthetic and technical art. With the festive season approaching attention has to be turned to the box sets they offer – available for both men and women they come with a beautiful watch and a bottle of either Hugo Boss Aftershave or Hugo Boss Ladies Perfume. These have to be some of the most perfect gifts we have to offer over the Winter months and if you are looking to fill a special one’s stocking – look no further!

Emporio Armani Watches are the next classic brand to grace our cyber shelves and just uttering the name will make anyone think of ultimate luxury and design excellence. Each watch in the collection is intended to have a unique design feature which inherently outlines each person’s individuality and style. As said best by Giorgio Armani himself, “A watch tells more than time, it reveals something about the wearer.” This quote could not be more true, which is why a wide assortment of classic styles in both round and shaped cases are available with both genuine leather straps and striking stainless steel bracelets. On top of pure unmitigated fashion watches, the Emporio Armani Watches collection also features sports watches and they are available in a variety shapes, styles and colours. They feature a reliable three-hand movement and chronograph feature to keep good time, all of the time! Emporio Armani Watches come to a pinnacle, however, with the Meccanico Watches. Mechanical or automatic watches are typically associated with the high-end segmet of the watch market and this feeling of luxury runs all the way through the Emporio Armani Meccanico Watches. The uniqueness of Emporio Armani Meccanico range is that it features a high level of technical sophistication whilst staying at affordable prices. For this Christmas, Shade Station suggests the Emporio Armani Tazio Watch – a classic style which features the practicality of a sports watch with the beauty of a fashion focused model.

Now it’s time we look at some of the new additions to the Shade Station family and first up we have Accurist Watches – coined as the nation’s favourite watch brand they utilise retro styling to devastating effect. In 1946, working from premises in St John Street in London’s Clerkenwell district, Asher and Rebecca Loftus established Accurist with the intention of creating a brand name of lasting value.  Like much of the competition at that time, Accurist Watches were made entirely from Swiss components; a positive sales point that guaranteed quality, and which coupled with competitive pricing helped establish their reputation for value. Nowadays, none of that original spirit of watch making has been lost and their timepieces are made to the highest possible standards. With the release of a whole plethora of new styles and ranges including the ‘Vintage’ and ‘Sport’, the Accurist Watch collection will only grow from strength to strength.

If you are looking for something a little more ‘quirky’, however, don’t be alarmed as we also have a vast array of slightly more ‘out-there’ styles and brands such as the Star Wars Collectors Watches! When George Lucas first stumbled upon the idea of Star Wars, surely even he didn’t know how successful the franchise was going to be. Now, it has extended into Star Wars Collectors Watches for adults! They are simply some of the coolest items that we have ever stocked and each one has a distinguishing feature which relates it back to the films and characters. The Darth Vader Watch has the Dark Lord’s face displayed ominously in the red background whilst the white Stormtrooper Watch has been designed like the armour of the iconic henchmen. Bounty hunter Bobba Fett is next to make an appearance and the metal bars across the face are the perfect symbol for his character too! On the flip side we have the good-guys; the R2D2 Watch is domed like the top of the instantly recognisible robot and the Luke Skywalker Watch features a separate dial like the one from the inside of the X-Wing! If you are a Star Wars fan then you are sure to find a watch in this collection that you will instantly fall in love with.

As you can see, here at Shade Station you are guaranteed a huge selection of wrist candy and hopefully after reading this blog you have more of an idea which one you will go for. Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases from the fashion, eyewear and horological world…

The sunglasses have been shelved and the goggles are having their yearly outing with thousands of people jetting off to far flung ski resorts in search for Winter fun! If you are an experienced skier or snowboarder then you already understand the importance of protecting your eyes when out on the slopes but for all you beginners out there picking the correct apparel can be a daunting and confusing task. Stalwart brands such as Oakley Goggles, Dragon Goggles and Arnette Goggles are accompanied by relatively new brands to us such as POC Goggles, Dirty Dog Goggles and Bolle Goggles. Hopefully this style update will give you a little more insight into why these are the world leaders in goggles and which brand is best for you.

First up we have arguably the best of the best in terms of protection and optical clarity – Oakley Goggles. Oakley is the ultimate sports fashion brand; renowned for its exceptional high quality technologies and innovative range of sporting accessories and clothing. We stock all currently available Oakley Goggles and they are primarily made of their incredible O Matter plastic compound – this is patented by Oakley and is the most durable and lightweight goggle material on the market. This is one of the main reasons that Oakley Goggles have the impact protection that they do – this and the amazing Plutonite lenses fitted into most of their goggles. Plutonite is another polycarbonate compound which is patented by Oakley and they are the only truly 100% optically correct lenses currently available as they have HD Optics and XYZ optics to ensure that light is never refracted through the lens. As certain as the sun will come out tomorrow, Oakley Goggles will continue to improve season after season! There are three recognisably new models in the 2013/14 collection; Oakley 02 XL Goggles, Oakley 02 XS Goggles and Oakley Airwave Goggles. Much like it’s predecessor, the Oakley O Frame, the Oakley 02 XL Goggles are designed for be lightweight, comfortable and not break the bank! Made from O Matter, the frames are incredibly lightweight to wear and can barely even be felt on your face when you are out and about. A variety of lens and frame colours are available allowing you not only to customise your look, but keep up to speed with the ever changing light conditions. Predictably, the 02 XL Goggles are designed for medium to large faces whilst the 02 XS Goggles are made from small to medium faces.

The Oakley Airwave Goggles are the first Oakley goggles to feature a heads up display – the revolutionary design allows you to view jump analytics that show distance, height and airtime. With preloaded maps available for many resorts, you can find your location and even track others in your group. Additional sensor information includes altitude, speed and vertical descent data. Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with a compatible smartphone for immediate viewing of incoming calls and text messages, and if your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone has music, your playlists can be accessed and controlled. Oakley Switchlock Technology makes the lens changing process quick and hassle-free, allowing you to take advantage of Oakley’s wide array of optional lens tints that optimize vision for environmental conditions. The durable chassis is made of lightweight O Matter that stays comfortably flexible, and O-Flow Arch technology reduces nasal pressure to improve airflow for free breathing.

Arnette Goggles are a reflection of the brand’s true passion for snowboarding and extreme sports, which is proudly displayed in the sophisticated aesthetic designs and the dynamic goggle and lens technologies. All Arnette goggles are expertly crafted using only the finest, most robust and durable materials, with each style available in a range of vibrant frame colors and lens options. This therefore allows the wearer to achieve the absolute best in terms of function, fit, comfort and style. In addition, all Arnette goggles boast extremely reasonable price tags. Arnette is renowned for always being at the cutting edge of technology and some of the features within the collections of Arnette goggles include maximum helmet compatibility, anti-fog lens venting, dual vented lenses with 100% protection from all UV light, triple-layered face foam with moisture-wicking polar fleece, fixed outriggers for a balanced fit and toric lenses to provide optimal visual performance. Arnette goggles also offer an array of performance upgrades to meet the demands of professional riders and to cope with all types of weather and light conditions. All Arnette goggles are available in a number of colourways and lens tones with the iconic Arnette logo displayed in chrome. Ultimately the overall goggle style and technology perfectly conveys what Arnette stands for – heritage, progression, good times and winning determination.

Since the beginning, Dragon Goggles set out to be the leading eyewear and accessories brand in the active youth lifestyle market by supporting the best athletes with the best product, while remaining connected to core retailers and consumers. That mission still holds true today and is the driving force behind the company’s success and heritage. In 1993, in a garage in Capo Beach, CA, founder Will Howard aimed to build a company that encompassed his passions for surfing, snowboarding, and riding dirt bikes. Enthusiasm and knowledge of the market bore Dragon’s first and still primary product, sunglasses. The company began distributing to local surf shops before expanding to Hawaii and Florida, and later Australia and other international markets.

The Dragon APX Goggles and Dragon NFX Goggles are two of Dragon’s greatest ever creations; they feature their groundbreaking frameless technology for an unrivalled aesthetic and field of vision! Although immediately similar to look at, both the APX and NFX differ massively – despite both having huge lenses for maximum clarity. Made with a Spherical lens, the APX is the most technically advanced and the tapering of the lens allows for near perfect vision at all times. Combined with the Armored Venting positioned on the top of the goggle, which creates a funnel for water to move and prevents it from being absorbed, they are a force to be reckoned with in the snow leisure industry. Although made with a cylindrical lens, the NFX Goggles still have great clarity of vision but are cheaper than the the top of the range APX. These frames are perfect for the first time skier who doesn’t want to break the bank by buying expensive goggles.

Speaking of brands not breaking the bank, we also have the awesome Dirty Dog Goggles – all are fitted with Polycarbonate lenses that have been treated with a specially developed Anti-Fog coating so these goggles will give you maximum clarity in the harshest conditions. Dirty Dog have then added Custom Venting Air Flow Technology (CVAFT) to give extra protection against dangerous lens fogging and giving you exceptionally clear field of vision. The Dirty Dog (CVAFT) Ventilation System uses carefully chosen areas for the intake and exhaust of cooling air. It is also worth noting that ALL Dirty Dog Goggle Lenses are spherical which means that the lenses have incredible optical clarity. We are sure that you won’t find any other brand which offers this kind of innovation for such a good price!

If you are looking for a new set of goggles this winter, look no further than right here at Shade Station! Be sure to also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news and views from the fashion, eyewear and snow sports world…

You only have to look at the list of brands that we stock to see that we are serious about beautiful designer eyewear – brands such as Chanel Glasses, Bvlgari Glasses, Dior Glasses, Gucci Glasses, Tom Ford Glasses, Oakley Glasses and Ray-Ban Glasses to name but a few. With the Winter season firmly upon us now, it is time to update your accessories and head for the latest and greatest trends out there! We understand that buying designer glasses is not a seasonal thing, many people see it as an investment which will see them through for many years to come but other more fashion focused people out there aim to change their eyewear with the changing of the weather. In our opinion, this is actually a very good idea as it allows you to not only follow the intricacies of fashion but set your own trends too!

Let’s just start by outlining our ophthalmic and prescription eyewear credentials; here at Shade Station we want to offer the highest quality items at all times which is why we use some of the best optical equipment money can buy to ensure that your glasses are glazed to a high and extremely exacting standard. Our opticians have years of experience in the eyewear industry and you can guarantee that your prescription will be glazed to your entered values and requirements perfectly! All our lenses are produced from some of the best materials you can find and the optical clarity that this produces is second to none.

The first brand we need to address in this update has to be the ever beautiful and popular Chanel Glasses – Chanel’s newest designer glasses collection fuses new with old more successfully than any other brand has done before. The use of semi-transparent frames accentuate the use of green and blue colours whilst intertwined leather can be found on the arms of some models. Chanel Eyewear has always been associated with two-tone colours and this is once again evident in the new ranges. The collection of Chanel glasses was launched in 1999 and the range can be described as striking and sophisticated, possessing a strong hint of a vintage edge. Some frames boast a ‘geek chic’ inspired finish, others beautifully capture the 1950’s cat-eye look and some Chanel glasses are more traditional in style but with the refined and bold Chanel twist. Frames with a simple aesthetic shape often feature ornate additions in the form of pearl or diamante embellished temple detailing and all decorative elements are statement but remain demure and elegant. Chanel is a label that is highly prominent on the style scene and celebrities who have been spotted wearing Chanel glasses include Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Nicole Ritchie, Lindsay Lohan and Katy Perry to name only a selection.

Founded over 100 years ago, the Bvlgari brand is regarded in the fashion industry as one of the most luxurious, glamorous, elaborate and stylish designer labels in the world. Bvlgari today is favoured for its highly sophisticated, unique and ornate style, conveyed in all its products including their stunning eyewear. Always at the cutting edge of fashion, whilst producing highly stylish products that reflect contemporary trends, the Bvlgari Glasses range is viewed as an elitist and sought-after range that has become renowned for its creative fusion of the old meeting the new. The collection of Bvlgari Glasses are specifically designed for women who are seeking something original, chic and distinctive in their choice of prescription eyewear. The range boasts incredible intrinsic attention to fine detailing and the selection of materials used and the superior levels of craftsmanship are what ultimately provide Bvlgari Glasses with their exclusivity.

Tom Ford is one of the most iconic and influential designers of our time and founded his label in 2004 following his roles at Gucci and YSL, which helped to establish him as a major player in the fashion industry. Tom Ford is renowned not only for his incredible talent as a designer and director, but also as a charismatic and energetic individual. The new collection of Tom Ford Glasses comprise of designs for men and women and feature an array of models, some of which are boldly overstated in true Tom Ford style whereas others are demure and simple in aesthetic. A selection of the styles for ladies are again, highly retro inspired with sultry and feline cat-eye shaped frames that are perfect for making a style impact and completely capture the 1950’s Hollywood icon style. The signature Tom Ford T-bar detailing is displayed over the temple on many of the Tom Ford glasses designs and other examples of fine ornate twists include sleek metal hinge detailing, temple metal accents and the use of exquisite colour and pattern.

As you can see, here at Shade Station our selection of Designer Glasses is unrivalled in the industry and no matter which style you are after, we are sure to have it on the cyber shelves for you! Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news and views from the fashion and eyewear world…

Winter can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for our eyes – you may think that because the sun is shrouded by cloud it cannot cause harm but this could not be further from the truth. UV rays are still prominent and can cause serious and irreversible damage to your eyesight – luckily, however, we have a selection of stunning sunglasses brands to completely cut this out. Our most popular brands include Oakley Sunglasses, Ray-Ban Sunglasses, Chanel Sunglasses, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Giorgio Armani Sunglasses and Prada Sunglasses to name but a few. We also have some newer brands such as Michael Kors Sunglasses, Dirty Dog Sunglasses and Dior Homme Sunglasses which have made their way onto our cyber shelves through merit and design excellence. In this style update we are going to address some of these brands and explain why protecting your eyes in the winter is so important.

Firstly let’s look at Oakley Sunglasses, a brand that has been around for years and continually produces fresh and truly innovative eyewear. Oakley Sunglasses are produced at their HQ in Foothills Ranch, CA and their lenses have over 600 patents on them alone. Their HD and XYZ Optics ensure 100% optical clarity at all times and 0% refraction of light – an invaluable asset to anyone out and about this Winter season! HD Polarised lenses are going to be very important during this season as the glimmer of sunshine that we have can cause havoc whilst driving as it will reflect up from the road and cause potentially dangerous blinding glare. Many sunglass makers believe the best way to block the sun from your eyes is with a lens that has a lot of layers. Take a plain lens, glue on a filter, then another, then another. But each additional layer creates further distortion, and soon the clarity of the lens is completely hosed. Oakley do it differently. Their HD Polarised lenses are one layer, lean and powerful enough to block glare without compromising clarity. And as the performance results demonstrate, less is definitely more.

This Winter season has seen the release of several new models including the amazing Oakley Breadbox Sunglasses and the Oakley Wiretap Sunglasses! The Oakley Breadbox Sunglasses have a pronounced browline which naturally accentuates the features of a masculine face whilst the thick O Matter frames are durable and lightweight for all day practicality. Innovative and with design features that will knock your socks off, the Oakley Wiretap Sunglasses are made from Oakley’s patented C-5 Metal Alloy, the frames are incredibly lightweight and thanks to their three-point-fit system, the Wiretap will sit comfortably on all face shapes and sizes. Brought up from the depths of Oakley’s design history, the half rimmed frames are a breath of fresh air in the industry and give people with an active lifestyle the choice of looking good and protecting their eyes. This is down to Oakley’s unobtanium earsocks that actually become ‘gripper’ when moist meaning that they will stay on your face whilst you are sweating! Available in a range of fantastic colours, you are sure to find a pair of Oakley Wiretap Sunglasses that suit you!

Of course, no sunglasses update would be complete without Ray-Ban Sunglasses – arguably the largest fashion sunglasses brand in the world and their incredible eyewear speaks for itself. Ray-Ban have always been associated with fashion forward sunglasses made from the finest materials and to the highest standards and these beautiful new releases meet this criteria perfectly. A plethora of new styles embody the Ray-Ban ethos; from the stunning new ladies’ model – RB4191, right through to a classic looking men’s and unisex range of wire/metal frames including the soon to be classics – RB8313 and RB3501. Ray-Ban make their lenses from Polycarbonate, a great compound which has fantastic optical quality as well as vibrant, stylish colour schemes. To ensure you are getting the real deal, Ray-Ban then etch their symbolic ‘RB’ logo into the lenses as a sign of quality and their continued fervour for eyewear perfection! Remember we also have the retro Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses and the Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses for all of you die hard ‘classic cool’ fans out there.

Finally, we have added the beautiful Michael Kors Sunglasses to our range – he is of course primarily known for his watches, however this new summer season has seen the release of a whole plethora of sunglasses from the fashion power-house! Mostly made from acetate, the frames are some of lightest we have ever felt which means that they are going to be super comfortable and can be worn all day and night should you want to. Names such as Charlie, Jess, Mackenzie, Anabelle, Sasha and Karmen are on the lips of fashionistas across the globe and it is easy to see why. These beautiful new designs incorporate Kors’ original design innovations and mix them with the new ‘on-trend’ urban appeal that this season has brought. Of course, there are also the classic designs such as oversized lenses and cats-eye effect lenses which naturally accentuate the features of your face.

Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases from the fashion and eyewear world…

When you think of accessories, your mind immediately jumps to jewellery, however accessories are much more than bits of bling to spice up your outfit – they are protective and practical pieces of apparel, perfect for use in the Winter months. Accessories for this time of year are dominated by helmets and rucksacks – of course we have new additions from classic brands such as Oakley Accessories and Fossil Accessories, but we also have awesome helmets from the likes of POC Accessories, Bolle Accessories and Dirty Dog Accessories. A helmet is a must-have accessory over the winter months, especially if you are going to be out and about on the ski slopes – in this style update we are going to address the awesome helmets we have available and why they are so important.

First up let’s look at POC Accessories – they are one of the world leaders in impact protection and comfort technology and we are very happy to have their helmets on our shelves. The helmets are loaded with new innovations including MIPS technology and their unrivalled APB barrier! The new MIPS technology mimics one of the safety systems which already exist in the human head. When the head is subjected to an oblique impact, the brain can slide along a membrane on the inner surface of the skull, which reduces the forces transmitted to the brain. This protective feature has, with the MIPS technology, been incorporated into the helmet – an invaluable addition to your ski wear this winter. POC Accessories’ APB technology or Aramid Penetration Barrier uses Aramid (also known as Kevlar) which is a short form for aromatic polyamide. A fibre that provides exceptional strength and thereby, if used correctly, can be used to provide protection against penetration in applications such as bullet proof clothing. POC is using Aramid as a soft penetration barrier to protect from sharp objects penetrating the helmets. If you are looking for a helmet that will give you unrivalled protection out there on the slopes, then look no further than POC Helmets and Accessories.

Next on the agenda is Dirty Dog Accessories, they are the best in terms of value for money as they are some of the cheapest on the market and have incredible protection for when you need it. If you are just learning to board or ski, you know that hitting your head is a regular occurance – it is common to spend more time on the floor than stood up! The good thing about Dirty Dog Helmets is that they will not break the bank and if you are new to the slopes then you won’t want to shell out fortunes for your gear. Despite the price, they offer much of the same protection as the leading brands. Constructed with a protective outer shell made of PC or high impact ABS. These shells give the helmets durability, weather resistance and are easy to clean. Underneath the outer shell is EPS (expanded Polystyrene) which makes up the bulk of the internal mass of the helmet for the absorption of impact and temperature control. An advanced 7cm rear dial adjustable fit system is situated on the back of the helmet to ensure the correct fit every time and you can be reassured of their quality as the Dirty Dog Helmets are rigorously tested, passing standards CE EN 1077 and ASTM F 2040.

The last brand to dip their toe in the helmet market is Bolle Accessories. Their helmets and the technology within them has taken the world by storm and are the perfect accompaniment to their state-of-the-art goggles! Helmet ventilation can make all the difference to your day on the pistes. That is why all Bolle helmets have a ventilation system to regulate airflow and temperature. Warm, moist air is constantly extracted through numerous openings. Adjustable vents on the top of the helmet enable you to control the amount of air coming into the helmet for total comfort. Bolle offers a soft, hypoallergenic and removable padded liner combined with a fit system. Thus, you can adjust the size of the helmet to your head for maximum comfort. Their ear pads are ergonomically designed to be comfortable and warm and they maintain audibility and can be easily removed for washing. Never “make do” with a helmet again!

Remember we also have a fantastic array of bags and rucksacks from the ever-popular Oakley Accessories and Fossil Accessories. From Oakley you have the versatility of their large Kitchen Sink through to the fashion focused designs of Fossil Accessories.

Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases from the fashion, eyewear and protection world…

Winter is an incredible happy and exciting time for any child! The nights are drawing in and the promise of presents over the festive season is enough to drive any nipper crazy with anticipation. Luckily here at Shade Station we have a vast array of products that will ensure Santa will not disappoint over the coming weeks. The big day is less than 6 weeks away now so be sure that you have checked out our great collection of brands including the classic kids Timex Watches, Casio Watches, Lorus Watches, Gucci Kids Sunglasses and Ray-Ban Junior Sunglasses! Remember, there are also great new models from Character Watches which are sure to steal the show and be the stars of the playground. In this blog we are going to look at some of these brands to help you determine which is best for your little one!

First up we have the ever popular Timex Kids Watches – they have been one of the stalwart brands for many years now and their new collections are as eye-catching as ever. They combine fantastic colour schemes with robust and durable mechanisms and straps…for any tumbles they may take whilst being worn. They have innovative elasticated straps to adhere to the wrist size of children of any size or shape and will allow room as they grow up. The girl’s unique pink Timex Kids Watches are an amazing gift for a little girl and feature fairy, cupcake, stars and floral patterns. The boys aren’t left out though with the release of the Timex Ironkids Range which feature durable canvas straps and an easy to read digital display – perfect for kids learning to tell the time.

Lorus Watches have now become a staple brand here at Shade Station and it is easy to see why; Lorus utilise the classic look of leather, rubber and fabric straps for a comfortable and sturdy hold on your wrist all day. Despite being made from these brilliant materials, Lorus Watches are comfortable on your bank balance too with very affordable watches which can be a life saver around expensive holidays.

Ray-Ban Sunglasses are a well recognised name which is known worldwide for it’s uncompromising style and quality. When you buy the name Ray-Ban, you know that you are getting the best eyewear available and it is no different in their Ray-Ban Junior Sunglasses! Available in all of the popular designs including the Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster and Tech Series. you can be assured that your child will be thrilled when they crack open their new pair of designer eyewear! Made to the highest of standards, their lenses are 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protective to ensure that your kid’s eyes will be safe and sound at all times from any harmful sunlight or blue light. Be sure to check out the full range of Ray-Ban Junior Sunglasses and take a look at the huge selection of designs, shapes and sizes too!

As aforementioned, however, the real stars of this Winter season have to be the new and exciting Character Watches! Available in all of their favourite characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ben 10, Skylanders Giants, Spiderman and many, many more. Each watch has a unique feature which sets it apart from similar styles including a Skylander’s Watch which fires out discs and one that shines the light onto a wall or similar surface. Learning to tell the time has never been so much fun! With the festive season rapidly approaching, I’m sure that some of you have already begun thinking about gifts and it’s important to get them something they will remember! These very cool and practical character watches tick every box with durable straps, funky designs and even ‘time teacher’ editions too!

As you can see we have a great selection of products ready for the festive season, so be sure to browse the kid’s section and load up Santa’s sleigh for the Winter months. Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news and views from the fashion world along with the big build up to Christmas…

When you meet someone new, your first impressions are key to their opinion of you – this works the other way round too. Psychologists believe that a person makes a judgement of someone new within 7 seconds of establishing visual contact, taking into account fashion sense and appearance. Jewellery and your combination of it is essential to completing any look and as aforementioned – first impressions are everything! We have some huge brands in stock to help create your own image including Emporio Armani Jewellery, Fossil Jewellery, Guess Jewellery, Bibi Jewellery and many, many more. In this style update we are going to look at some of these brands and discuss what makes each one so special.

Firstly, let’s look at Emporio Armani Jewellery – a brand that is steeped with a flawless design history and a brand image that most would clamber to get hold of. Their reputation for respectable, classy and quality products extends as far as their jewellery and despite only having them in stock a little while, we can see exactly why people are loving them so much. The classic eagle design can be found in many forms across the range including their stunning earrings which are embellished with diamantes for a truly beautiful and defined finish – not to mention the use of them on the male cufflinks which screams luxury even at a glance. Flowing circular patterns are prominent in the Winter range too and they make the perfect gift for a loved one as a symbol of infinite love – with the festive season fast approaching, Emporio Armani Jewellery is definitely worth a look!

Fossil creatively manages to combine classic style pieces with a contemporary twist and the Fossil Jewellery range is no exception. There are some stunning new pieces available this season, including the new JA5712040 Fossil necklace. With a stainless steel multi strand chain incorporating a stunning pendant, this is hugely on trend necklace will remain classically stylish for years to come due to the fine attention to detail and the beautiful, unique design. The new  JF00151710 Fossil bracelet features beautiful diamantes and the subtle gold colouring combined with silver detracts from the piece becoming too girly and injects an edgier appeal.

Take a walk on the wild side with the latest collection of Guess Jewellery. It is currently one of the sexiest and most adventurous brands on the market and their new dramatic collections take on textures, shapes and patterns that are sure to catch the eye. The collection is a mixture of lust-worthy bracelets, necklaces and earrings which gives any Guess Girl the confidence to be glamorous! Guess Jewellery has a refreshing aesthetic appeal and is of course made to be of the finest quality – perfect for someone who favours a sophisticated and stylish yet fun image. Fashioned around raw, passionate animals such as snakes, zebras and cougars, you are sure to take command and set the trend this Winter season.

Bibi Jewellery provides a fresh and creative collection of stunning products which have now developed into an international brand. They produce their unique items only from the highest quality materials including; Swarovski Crystals, precious gemstones, heavy silver plated components and other natural materials such as leather, wood and sea-shell. This individual and innovative way of making their jewellery is a breath of fresh air in the industry and here at Shade Station we highlight their new an exciting wares. All Bibi Bijoux Jewellery is handmade to exacting standards and the process is overseen right up to the ‘finishing touches’.

Be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news, views and releases from the fashion and accessories world…

Oakley Goggles to make yet another appearance?  The opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi starts today.  Sochi is located on the coast of the Black Sea and is close to where the borders of Georgia and Russia meet.  Sochi is also known for being one of the only cities in Russia to have a sub climate making the summers hot and the winter’s cold.  The winter of 2014 is only going to be about one thing in Russia – the Winter Olympics.  The Winter Olympics is a play ground for winter sports athletes including Oakley athletes.  Oakley Goggles have been around the Winter Games for years and this year should be no different.

Tipped for gold is Jamie Anderson, an Oakley athlete with bags of experience.  Anderson has won gold at the X Games four times, silver once along with two bronze medals in the slopestyle category.  She is seen below in the newest frame released, the Oakley O2.  Jamie is wearing the O2 XS goggles which are tailored more towards a woman’s fit as appose to its big sister the O2 XL.

Jamie Anderson | Oakley O2 XS

A matte black frame coupled with an emerald iridium lens makes this choice a great look for carving down the mountain.  The emerald iridium lens is used for medium to bright light conditions and is a good version for an all day lens in the sun.  The frame itself also comes in many different colours and also has the capability of changing lenses so no matter what the conditions are you are always able to change over the lens whenever the weather changes.

Oakley sponsors Jamie Anderson so watch out for her this Winter Olympics as she will be sporting a pair of Oakley Goggles.

Jamie Anderson | Huge Air

Silje Norendal | Oakley Crowbar

One to Watch

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled this Winter Olympics for the hottest thing to come out of Norway since the Aerosol Can in the 1970’s – Silje Norendal.  Silje, age 20 is also tipped for a podium at the 2014 games after winning her first X Games gold medal last year, bumping her up to third in the overall world ranking table.  She is seen below sporting some Oakley Goggles; in this case the Crowbar.  She has been using a Fire Iridium Lens which is perfect for bright light conditions and also looks really cool.  The bright orange, mirrored lens is perfect for hiding the eyes and making the goggle look oversized.  The Oakley Crowbar range has been around for years although new colour variations are always being released.  Silje has taken inspiration from a young age from Jamie Anderson and is one of the new kids on the block.  Who knows what the future holds for this young Norwegian.

Vonn waiting to go on

Lindsey Vonn is slowly becoming a downhill veteran and is currently in training in the hope to be fit enough for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.  The Oakley athlete injured her knee during February 2013 during a downhill competition at Schladming.  Lindsey has since been taking it easy trying to recover until she re-injured her knee in a training accident in November 2013.  She is currently trying to build the strength up in her knee so she can attend the games in Sochi as part of team USA and has said she “currently feels good and is starting to put the usual 100% effort and confidence back into her unique skiing style”.  Lindsey is bravely delaying surgery to be in with a chance of attending the Olympics in February.  Lindsey’s favourite frame has been the Oakley A Frame which offers a smaller fit more tailored towards women.  The airflow technology coupled with triple layer face foam also makes this a perfect choice for downhill competitions.  Lindsey has a range of Oakley A Frame Goggles in colours chosen by herself.  Be sure to look out for Lindsey in February wearing Oakley Goggles as she is slowly becoming the woman to beat in the downhill and super-g disciplines.

Lindsey Vonn | Oakley A Frame

Jake Blauvelt is a professional snowboarder sponsored by Oakley Goggles and Oakley Eyewear and first became noticed in the worldwide snowboard world for winning the U.S Open event in 2004.  Since then Jake has taken hold of his own career which sets him apart from other athletes within the snowboarding community.  He is always seen out on the slopes in Oakley Goggles and his preferred model is the Oakley Airbrake series.

Jake Blauvelt – Oakley Airbrake Goggles

Placed in the top ten riders for both the years of 2009 and 2010; Jake has a mentality of using the mountains for what they offer.  He prefers natural terrain and loves shredding untouched powder.  Jake is mentored by Terje Haakonsen and many say Jake is on his way to over taking Terje at the current rate he is progressing.  Terje also has his own pair of signature Oakley Terje Haakonsen Airbrake Goggles.

Terje Haakonsen | Signature Airbrake Goggles

Jake has long been devoted to progressing what is possible on his snowboard. From his early days on hill as a Vermont contest local, Jake has consistently pushed himself to find a path that is true to his identity, his unique personality and his dreams. That path has taken him from icy park jumps to powder turns; from podiums to heli drops – and he has continued to improve and evolve with every step.

Jake pushes the limits of snowboarding and travels the world in search of new challenges and perfect snow. The past couple years of these pursuits have been well documented between “Blauvelt’s Backcountry” in 2010 and his new signature film, “Jake Blauvelt: Naturally.”

Naturally Short Film | Oakley Goggles

Jake Blauvelt: Naturally is to become a huge hit within the snowboarding industry and showcases just what this unique rider is all about.  It stars other Pro Riders too like: Eric Jackson, Kazu Kokubo, Freddie Kalbermatten, Shayne Pospisil and many more.  Kazu Kokubo is the third Oakley athlete mentioned here with his own signature Oakley Goggles – the Oakley Kazu Kokubo Crowbar.

The film is currently on tour around the world and should be stopping off at a city near you.  The film will then be released shortly after.  Oakley is releasing this film on Jakes behalf and have launched the premier at their headquarters at Foothill Ranch, California.

Be sure to take a look at our Oakley Goggle’s page for the complete collection available from Oakley.  Who knows; maybe Jake Blauvelt will be named for the next signature frame from Oakley.

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Oakley Eyewear has released their latest project the M2 Frame.  The M2 Frame is an update of the ever so popular and best selling; M Frame.  The original M Frame was used by athletes and the public globally since its release in 1989.  So why change it?

Well, Oakley Eyewear has changed a number of features on the new M2 Frame whilst still keeping the iconic sense of its earlier counterpart.  The weight has been reduced; the style has had an overhaul and the 5 usual lens options have been combined to make one universal lens.  This lens shape encompasses all of the features and benefits from the old lens options including Hybrid, Hybrid S Heater, Sweep and Strike but has been made into a more consumer friendly option by keeping all of the benefits but keeping the price per lens the same.

The lenses are all made from Oakley’s material – Plutonite.  They then take this material and use advanced technology to improve the quality, protection and distortion of the lens.  XYZ optics is a patent held by Oakley which allows only them to taper correct their lenses on three axis’.  This will improve quality of vision, eliminate distortion, eliminates refraction of light passing through the lens and combined with a polarised filter (melted into the lens at molecular level) will eliminate all glare and reflections.  All lenses made by Oakley block 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays from the sun including 99% of all harmful blue light.

The frame is still made from O Matter so the usual quality you expect from this material has not changed one bit.  The only part to change in this respect is the styling of the frame offering a more up to date look and in keeping with the times.  They still use Unobtainium too which grips when wet.  This is perfect for any athlete who will perspire.  The M2 Frame has increased Unobtainium on the ear stems and therefore increases overall performance when pushing the limits.

Oakley M2 Frame

Shade Station believes the M2 Frame will be as popular as the original, if not more.  The unique style and performance is second to none and any athlete or recreational user will see the benefits of this immediately.  Make sure you keep your eyes well protected this coming year and if performance is your thing then we sell the whole range of Oakley Eyewear currently available with free next working day delivery.

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The Winter Olympics has finally come to an end and the popular brands we see on the mountains will take a backseat from the worldwide media for another 4 years.  Brands like Bolle, Oakley, Dragon and Poc will no longer be appearing on our television sets for a while longer.

The Winter Olympics kicked off two weeks ago in magnificent style and the closing ceremony was no flop either.  Many people and the worlds media were sceptical whether the Sochi games would collapse from the word go or be a success like its predecessor Vancouver 2010.  Gay rights and extortionate amounts of money were huge talking points before the games had even started.

Canadians the Dufour-Lapointe sisters share a kiss after competing in the same event. Could this be a hidden protest?

Now it’s all over the verdict was excellent.  The protests were kept to a minimum and the facilities for the athletes and teams were excellent.  But enough about this; we are here for the sport!

Athletes and spectators were seen in a range of designer and extreme sporting brands.  Oakley goggles had a huge input as usual; with most of the alpine disciplines dominated by this global brand.  Other popular brands made an appearance too though.  Dragon goggles were seen in the more stylish events like slopestyle and snowboard cross where the oversized look is popular.  Bolle goggles, Poc goggles and Poc helmets were the brands of choice for a handful of the alpine racers looking for ultimate protection and stylish features.

Oakley sunglasses also made appearances in disciplines like speed skating and biathlon skiing.  These disciplines require perfect, undistorted vision as accuracy can be the difference between silver and gold.

Before we close off though we couldn’t leave without giving a shout out to Team GB for their best ever Winter Olympics since Chamonix 1924.  With a Gold for Lizzie Yarnold in the Skeleton, Silver and Bronze respectively for the Men’s and Women’s Curling teams and our first ever medal on snow; a bronze for stylish snowboarder Jenny Jones.  From everyone here at Shade Station; a huge well done!

Goodbye Russia and well done to everyone involved.

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