Will.i.am unveils new eyewear collection

Singer and fashion-aficionado will.i.am has added another venture to his entrepreneur career by creating ill.i, a new eyewear brand comprising sunglasses and optical styles for men and women. Developed in partnership with designer and long-term friend George Gorrow, the brand is described by will.i.am as being “about dedication and passion” and draws inspiration from the sartorial styles espoused by hip-hop and graffiti artists in the 1980s.

Featuring unique technical detail such as patented diagonal hinges and comfort acetate top bars, all ill.i eyewear models include a laser-engraved will.i.am ‘willpower’ logo and signature line. The inaugural collection’s colour palette combines matte and glossy finishes in gold, black, white, silver, gunmetal and tortoiseshell, whereas lenses come in silver grey, bronze grey, brown, and mirrored gold.

The Style Examiner got exclusive access to the first ill.i models and was impressed by the industrial aeronautics aesthetic that underpinned the sunglasses styles for men, which feature round and angular frames made from metal or acetate; whereas for women, frames vary between oversized cat-eye shapes, round thin spectacles and square translucent styles.