Michael Bastian × Randolph Engineering Signature Series

This fall marks the second season of the high-performance eyewear collaboration between Michael Bastian and Randolph Engineering. Founded in 1972 by engineers Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski, Randolph Engineering (RE) specializes in high quality military-grade eyewear. With their knowledge of advanced engineering principles and mechanics, Jan and Stanley grew their company into a full-service commercial business that has since become the prime contractor of aviation flight glasses for the U.S. Department of Defense, all while remaining at their headquarters in Randolph, Massachusetts. Their story, much like Michael Bastian's, truly embodies the American dream.

MB in the Randolph Engineering Aviator II

Bastian, having championed RE eyewear in all of his runway shows since 2006 and worn them himself since his college years, proudly teamed up with them last year for a signature series combining their military ethos and heritage with his playful take on popular American themes. The first collection was released this past spring and boasted marquis frame designs and a dazzling array of colors which as of yet had been unprecedented in RE's product line.

This fall I picked up the Signature Sportsman in gold; one of the more understated pieces of the collection, sporting a more drastic teardrop shape than their original Sportsman, AGX (gray/green) lenses, and cable temples that wrap around the ear for a secure fit. The style reminds me most of General MacArthur in his prime, and of mid-century hunters on the African savannah, though I am apt to romanticize these sorts of things. The sunglasses come with a reinforced soft leather case with a hidden velcro pocket in the interior back, and inside that pocket the wearer is provided with an equipment maintenance kit containing replacement nose pads and screws as well as an optical screwdriver keychain. Altogether the Signature series frames tend to cost about 40% more than the standard Sunglass series, but what you get is a pair of unique limited edition sunglasses with all the accoutrements.

As featured in Michael Bastian's Spring/Summer 2012 runway show, the next series is entirely inspired by James Dean, in particular a pair of iconic brown tortoise shell frames he wore back in the 1950's, provided on loan courtesy of Old Focals of Pasadena, CA. The new Signature Series will consist of 4 new frame styles and clip-on lenses to be available in Spring 2012.

For price and purchase info, and to view all the current styles, visit the official website.