To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (which has raised over £200m to help those infected or at risk of HIV to date), luxury specs co. Cutler and Gross has designed a limited edition model of its iconic 0734 sunglass frame with all proceeds being donated to the charity.
The capsule collection is inspired by the Foundations Love Is In My Blood campaign, which Elton explains is to remind the world that more than any disease, or prejudice, its love that flows through our veins'.
It is a fitting collaboration, considering Cutler and Gross have provided the Rocket Man himself with an impressive array of eyewear throughout his career, and this design doesn't fail to dazzle, either.
Handcrafted in a deep red thick Italian acetate and engraved with a discreet gold foil logo, there is also the choice of a premium variation of the design glazed with luxe 24 karat gold lenses. We'll be wearing ours with a lot of sequins.
Every pair of glasses purchased could pay for two women who have been raped in Kenya to receive the counselling, contraceptive and treatment they need to stop them becoming infected with HIV; or it could provide sex education, HIV testing and treatment for 10 young men in Uganda safely, and without fear of violence or discrimination.
The collaboration is just the next phase in the charitys awareness campaign, which has already seen a unique work by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei two films featuring drops of blood falling on a white background screened in Time Square, Piccadilly Circus and Kievs Independence Square, alongside a celebrity Twitter initiative.
Frames start from £320 and are available for purchase at cutlerandgross.com.
