Gentle Monster and Ambush unveil futuristic eyewear collaboration

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jul 24, 2019

Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and Yoon Ahn’s Ambush have launched an eyewear collaboration that brings a space oddity-flair to streetwear accessories.  

 
The collection features three colorways of the ‘Zip Tie,’ a transparent, full-acetate frame with sports-goggle silhouette featuring metal cable tie details at the center-front and on the sides of the frame. Designed by Yoon, Ambush’s creative director, the futuristic frames are inspired by the David Bowie film ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ a 1976 film starring the pop icon as an alien landed on Earth seeking to save his home planet. 

In a press release, Yoon said the eyewear’s light, clean look represents the mood of always being on the move in 2019, meant for “everyone who wants to see the world through new lenses.”

The designer continued, “When you put these on, you feel different and you feel out of space.”
 
Each colorway of the Zip Tie glasses retails for $350, and can be purchased at Gentle Monster’s website, Ambush’s website, and Gentle Monster London. 
 
For Ahn and Ambush, the collection follows previous collaborations with Converse as well as Nike, which Ahn has worked with on both high-fashion athleisure and commemorative soccer jerseys.

Gentle Monster comes to the project following a partnership earlier this year with Chinese telecommunications equipment company Huawei for the brand's first smart glasses, as well as the start of the Korean brand’s European expansion last year. 

According to industry analysts, the luxury eyewear market is predicted to register a CAGR of over 6% by 2023.