"Christian Roth As Seen By Alexander Digenova"

Christian Roth’s journey in eyewear began when he received a pair of Ray-Ban aviators from his father when he was just 15 years old. In the Mid-1980 to early 90s, Roth lived and worked in New York City where he experienced the rich counter-cultures of the youth energy. “Early 80ʼs New York matters today, we still feel the creative energy, strivings, and tensions of those years. For us, it was the gateway to live our dreams and to express our identities.” Roth began designing eyewear shortly after co-founding his parent company with Eric Domege, Optical Affairs. His eponymous label launched in 1990 and quickly began gracing magazine covers such as WWD & Vogue with his eyewear designs. Fashion editorials helped increase Roth’s brand visibility, but it was the proper placement that elevated brand awareness. Rock ‘n roll grunge idol Kurt Cobain is famously photographed in various pairs of Round Christian Roth sunglasses, first appearing in Jesse Frohman’s 1993 photographs. These iconic pictures would cement Roth’s ability to design iconic eyewear with a true sense of authenticity. Over the years, Christian Roth has worked with notable names in the fashion industry such as Michael Kors & Karl Lagerfeld. Christian Roth was acquired by DITA Eyewear in 2016, while the founders have remained as the creative directors, the brand has referenced its past more than ever in this latest collection.

Kurt Cobain wearing Christian Roth “Round” sunglasses shot by Jesse Frohman, 1993.

LA-based Designer, Photographer, and Creative Director behind Christian Roth’s latest campaign, Alexander Digenova has infused his own design ethos and spirit into this most recent collection. Digenova has split time between New York City and Los Angeles while designing his own collections for his eponymous label, which are largely inspired by rock n’ roll and his personal experiences. Similar to Christian Roth’s own design ethos, this pairing of the two creates something very authentic which connects the two generations together. “Alexander reminds us of a “young, aspiring us”. His defined aesthetics, radical candor, and imagination for emotional material are already set at the dawn of his adulthood.” “Set in his Los Angeles apartment, Alexander enlisted his fellow creative muses, models, and friends isolated with him to embody the spirit of the eyewear. Highlights from the collection include ARMER, worn by Anthony, a savant genius and master sewer who also happens to be Alexander’s brother. Anthony spends most of his day handcrafting garments. ARMER celebrates the thrall of New York’s sizzling midtown nightclubs. The extravagant proportions of the early 1980s are slimmed and elongated for a dramatic new aviator. The experimental proportions of the 1980s continue in ROUND- WAV, a spacey oval frame rendered in a special cut-and-paste acetate. Worn by Kai, A young, Vietnam-born LA-based designer. “Kai has been wearing vintage before he even knew what vintage meant” - says Alexander. The spirit of the ROUND-WAV is captured on the unapologetic rebel-without-a-cause who lives for Los Angeles night-life. Model Juliana wears FIRI, a punky cat-eye rendered in angular proportions, using the brand’s signature ultra-beveled acetate. “A bold, sculptural silhouette is perfect on Juliana and reminiscent of her essence” - says Alexander. Though in her early 20’s Juliana has traveled the world 3 times over and is fluent in French. Her monochromatic aesthetic is never complete without sunglasses.” The collection is now available on dita.com/christian-roth. Be sure to swipe through the collection lookbook and product photos below.