The best 70s-inspired sunglasses worthy of “The Serpent”
There’s a lot that goes on in The Serpent, the new Netflix series that follows a real-life serial killer who left a trail of dead hippies along South Asia in the 1970s.
But gruesome murders aside, we can’t help but be in awe of the era’s sense of style, as embodied by actress Jenna Coleman on the show: the silk scarves, the psychedelic prints, the flared suits and, of course, the sunglasses.
The decade of disco was obsessed with their eye-catching eyewear. Recall the dark-rimmed glasses that became a signature of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, or the tinted, wire-rimmed aviators that feminist activist Gloria Steinem was never seen without. Bianca Jagger was sporting sunglasses indoors before Kanye West made it a thing, famously pairing her gowns and suits with Ray-Bans. And perhaps nobody worked oversized sunglasses, in all their shapes and shades, as fervently as America’s former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy.
You get the point: big shades were a big deal. Or are, now that ’70s fashion is making a comeback yet again. (Fashion search engine Lyst credits the renewed interest to The Serpent, but the likes of Gucci, Celine and Chloé have been referencing the era’s slinky styles for seasons now.)
If you’re looking to nail the trend with all the glamour associated with the decade’s style icons, consider our selection of sunglasses to wear this Spring/Summer 2021.
Header photo credit: Netflix
Bella Hadid attacked for ‘insulting’ Saudi Arabia, the UAE
Palestinian-American supermodel Bella Hadid has come under fire on social media for supposedly disrespecting Saudi Arabia and the UAE in her recent Instagram story. She is pictured with the sole of her boot facing three planes, including a Saudi plane and a UAE plane, an insult in Arab culture.
Many Saudis and Emiratis have taken to social media to express their outrage. Some have called for her to be banned from entering their countries.
honestly Bella Hadid is canceled … someone ban this piece of trash from entering UAE and KSA … pic.twitter.com/g2QJSVTTFG — Afra 🏹 (@itsafroditi) June 16, 2019
BELLA HADID MUST BE BANNED FROM UAE 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/sbw7dRsYju — Culture Queen (@realityissofun) June 16, 2019
Others tweeted at brands that Hadid has worked with, threatening to boycott the stores of Dior and Versace.
Since Bella Hadid represents Dior I will now stop buying Dior products due to her disrespect to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 — حياة (@hayat24h) June 16, 2019
Since Bella Hadid represents Dior I will now stop buying Dior products due to her disrespect to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 @Dior — هجير الصمت (@hager5551) June 17, 2019
READ: Gigi Hadid’s brother releases music video filmed in Palestine
Some focused in on her Palestinian heritage, questioning why she would be so outspoken about Saudi Arabia and the UAE if she wouldn’t do the same for her own country.
Big disappointment. You are ugly inside . Stop wearing fancy clothes and go and fight in Palestine — Precious🇸🇦 (@iThrthr) June 17, 2019
Bella Hadid is out there posting a picture of her shoe towards the Emirati and Saudi flags because she read somewhere that they are behind Sudan’s unrest. Just wondering when she’ll be posting a similar picture with Israel’s flag? Or is Palestine less important than Sudan? — مريم قاسم (@Marmar_Q) June 16, 2019
While others highlighted her background as a model, deeming her unqualified to talk about political issues.
#BellaHadid
We all know that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates helps other people in the world, but the question is What did you do for your country “Palestine”?? Support them by take off your clothes in America and be a model. pic.twitter.com/8PmTmaATjJ — ندى بنت محمد✨ (@nada_khalf) June 16, 2019
Trolls have also been harassing her family members on their social media accounts, spamming their comments with the Saudi and UAE flags.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByzAFy1hEmw/
On her brother Anwar Hadid’s latest Instagram post social media users commented on Saudi Arabia’s historically close ties to Palestine, saying “Saudi Arabia is the only country that boycotted Israel and has no Saudi embassy. Our greatest kings have been killed and many of our people martyred for Palestine,” while others insulted his sisters and even called for a boycott of the entire Hadid family.
Bella Hadid is known for her outspoken nature about world issues, attending protests demanding Palestinian be given their rights and raising awareness of the plight of the Sudanese people to her nearly 25 million strong following on Instagram.
READ: Sudan will not be silenced
Local malls banning Hadid?
APOLOGIES POSTED ON Instagram do not appear to have provided any salve to the continuing burning issue facing Bella Hadid and her recent regional social media faux pas. A week after the model’s offensive Instagram story featuring the airport-lounging 22-year old displaying the soles of her boots to two gated airplanes sporting UAE and Saudi flag tail designs went viral, Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall have acted on the influx of online pressure from concerned citizens including the influential Emirati twitter user @banyatzayed. The self-identified ‘first Emirati blogger and influencer’ with 149,000 followers, along with others, was quick to tap into the #BellaHadidIsRacist trending topic and has since inundated local outlets with calls to remove the catwalk star’s image from their premises. “Remove #BellaHadidIsRacis[t] photos and end your contacts with her if you want us (Emiratis and Saudis) to continue shopping from your shops/brands @TheDubaiMall @MallofEmirates @Sephora @Dior #BVLGARI #Versace #Burberry @dolcegabbana,” the account owner wrote.
In response to this and many other requests, Mall of The Emirates put out a standard reply: “Hello, a recent incident with a model for one of the brands at Mall of the Emirates is in no way associated with the mall, and does not reflect our values.
The same establishment also confirmed on Twitter a scheduled event hosted by Dior, one of Hadid’s major collaborators, had been shut down. “Hello, the event has been cancelled,” the shopping centre wrote on June 20 in response to @saifaltunaiji’s comment: “To whom may it concern in @TheDubaiMall @MallofEmirates can you please stop #dior event and remove all @bellahadid posters. Neither Emirati people nor our Saudi friends want to see her face in our favorite malls. #StopDiorEvent”
The Dubai Mall has followed suit by Tweeting out to the many appeals for action: “Hello, thanks for your concern. We ensure you that our nation and region’s cultural sensitivities are respected. We have brought the matter to the attention of the retailers concerned to take appropriate steps.”
Hadid, who is Palestinian-American, has often spoken of her admiration for her Arabic heritage, although appears to be unaware of the impact displaying the bottom of your shoe can have in the Middle East. Many believe it is an insult intended to equate the object towards which the sole is pointed to the dirt usually found beneath footwear.
In her online apology, Hadid penned to her 24-million Instagram followers: “I would never want my posts or platform to be used for hate against anyone, especially those of my own beautiful and powerful heritage.
“Not only do I have so much respect from the bottom of my heart, I have always tried to stand up for what I feel is right, especially regarding the great Middle East…To feel as if I have disappointed you is what hurts me the most.”
The regret, however, has done little to cool critics' ire. Many have created scathing content including @KSAT2030 who posted a video of himself throwing away a bottle of Dior scent with the caption “I stop buying Dior products” on Twitter and @SamarFeisal uploading “We do not want Bella Hadid…interfere in our affairs!!” to the same platform.
Reports suggest Parfums Christian Dior are in the process of removing Hadid’s image from their Dubai Mall visuals.