Laura Bailey Turns Director

Laura Bailey has joined London-based eyewear label Zanzan Eyewear as director and creative partner, we can reveal this morning. The model and Voguecontributing editor will join the current creative team, Megan Trimble and Gareth Townshend - who founded the label in 2012 - to consult, collaborate, and assist with the design of the frames - something she is more than well-placed to do.

"I've long been obsessed with shades - I feel vulnerable without them and they are my fastest way to transform both mood and look," Bailey revealed. "They have played such a big part in my own style evolution (from NYC white and pastel flea-market finds and quirky, girly Chloé, to Miu Miu to classic black Chanel), and link so many of my movie or music fantasies."

The union isn't purely a business one. Bailey, Trimble and Townshend have formed a friendship over the last few years based on a mutual appreciation of art, design and photography which "evolved naturally until it became a serious business and creative opportunity", Bailey (who has experience in designing forLK Bennet and Radley as well as guest editing collections for Topshop and setting up Loquet London alongside Sheherazade Goldsmith) explained. Zanzan's refreshingly alternative reference points can be seen on its Instagram account.

The quirky frames make for a playful take on classic spectacle silhouettes while the colour-pop palette will brighten up every day. And who better to model the first fruits of the collaboration than Bailey (a self-confessed enthusiast) herself?

"Some girls hoard shoes or bags, I have drawers full of shades," she told us. "Some have ended up in my kids' fancy-dress chest but I still confess to around fifty pairs." Let the sun shine.