The French Girl–Approved Sunglasses You're About to See Everywhere

When she’s not working as an influencer, It girl Sabina Socol shares her fashion expertise in our French Girl column. Come back each month for her perspective on Parisian style.

About a year ago, I started designing my first pair of sunnies in collaboration with Poms Eyewear. My editor at Who What Wear asked me to write a piece about how to style and wear them, which I thought was a great idea. But first, I want to tell you how collaborations like these work. Here’s what really goes on behind the scenes of an influencer collaboration.

I figured it would be an interesting angle to invite the Who What Wear readers (and, I hope, some of my followers who also read my work here) behind the scenes of these collabs. So many influencers (even if I don’t particularly like to refer to myself as one) are working with brands now, and some of you might wonder (legitimately), since influencers are not designers, how can they come up with actual designs?

A few months ago, as I was telling my dad about my current work schedule, he told me that I had the perfect job because I was like a little girl playing house every day. I laughed, and boy is he right! As an influencer and columnist, I get to wake up every day and not feel like I am working. Fashion was always a passion of mine, as is writing, since a very young age. I studied journalism in a private school and communication at the Sorbonne. I did as many internships as I could in various fashion and cultural publications in Paris. I wrote freelance, too. I had a full-time position at a great magazine before I quit to do what I do now. Along the way, I gathered experience in fashion and built valuable relationships. I realized that with influence comes a bit of power, the power of reaching people, an audience that I know and care about. And that power, along with the years of actual 9-to-5 experience working in the fashion industry, allows me to go and talk to brands about creative projects.

I was the one who approached Poms for this project. They sent me a pair of shades that I had been wearing nonstop last year (a pair with blue lenses that you’ve probably seen in many of my photos if you follow me on Instagram). So I thought, since I know that the brand has great-quality products and that their creativity alines with mine, why not talk to them about creating the perfect pair of shades (for me)?

We came up with color schemes and packaging ideas. The whole process was very simple because I think we were on the same page from the beginning, style-wise. Mostly, to be totally transparent, I believe it worked so well because I created the perfect shades for myself, and that authenticity was apparent in the final product and imagery.

This was the first collaboration I worked on before my previous shoe and jewelry collaborations (which were made following the same process). I had them in my hands last summer in Majorca. I was so excited! I had all my friends try them on, and they fit literally every face shape. I am proud of that product. I feel that it embodies both my personal style and Poms' vision perfectly. I shot a few looks to show you how they go with everything. Most importantly, I feel like the best ambassadors for these shades are the girls I’ve seen wearing them up until now. Seeing them wear the result of our work just makes me happy every time—like a little girl who plays house.

Next, the 13 pieces our editor is wearing on repeat right now.