Inside TOILETPAPER Magazine and Etnia Barcelona's Eyewear Collaboration

Independent eyewear brand, Etnia Barcelona has proven it's not just an optical brand as it seamlessly blends the line between fashion and art with its latest team-up with TOILETPAPER magazine. The collection features two styles: the "Dolly," a pair of winking sunglasses available in pink, white and black and the "Roses," adorned with a rose bush pattern in two distinct variations. Known for its surreal and colorful imagery, TOILETPAPER infuses its vibrant aesthetic into this collection, turning eyewear into a canvas of artistic expression.

We sat down with creative director, Micol Talso to dive into the wild inspiration behind the campaign -- one that had insects crawling on models' faces -- and to uncover the secret ingredient that brought this daring collaboration to life.

When Etnia Barcelona approached TOILETPAPER to fuse creative visions, the challenge was clear -- distilling the brand's bold, symbolic imagery into something that fits within the delicate frame of eyewear. Naturally, the team's starting point was to identify the strongest, most recognizable symbols from their archives -- visuals that would resonate even at a glance. "Choosing the right image wasn't always a rational decision, it required experimentation and simplification to ensure the visuals fit seamlessly into the eyewear's design," Talso explains.

One standout design in the capsule, the "Dolly" model, features a blinking blue eye nestled within a rose; so stunning and eerily cool, but where did the inspiration come from? "It was a dream -- a dead rose kissed by a donkey that suddenly resurrected, opening her blue eye." This fantastical narrative perfectly encapsulates the whimsical and boundary-pushing ethos of TOILETPAPER. And when we say boundary-defying, we mean it -- one can't help but wonder about the team's creative process: where do their wild ideas come from and how are these concepts brought to life? "When we create a new image, it's like preparing a very new cocktail: different ingredients, some old and some new. You'll never know what the final taste will be" Talso tells us, "sometimes, it's all about focusing on what’s important and leaving out the rest."

While the sunglasses themselves are undeniably eye-catching, let's not overlook the brilliance of the campaign itself -- a visual feast that includes everything from a dentist's chair to a dramatic funeral scene. One memorable challenge was casting, particularly in finding the elusive "Sleeping Male Beauty," as the team had to "strike a balance between femininity and masculinity, without appearing too mannequin-like." Talso recalled. Another moment of playful creativity came when preparing the signature pink cream to cover a character's face, "it was almost like a cake-decorating workshop." And let's not forget the daring choice of placing live insects on a model's face -- a decision that brought its own set of challenges, including overcoming everyone's deepest phobias.

Yet, the collaboration's magic lies in its collective approach. "We listen to everyone on set," highlighting the contributions of make-up artists, models and even catering staff, "they're our elite public."

For more interviews, read our chat with Isamaya Ffrench on dropping her Nike collab.

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