Ace & Tate links with Priya Ahluwalia for first collab

Eyewear specialist Ace & Tate has launched its first-ever collaboration with London-based fashion brand Ahluwalia. It said the collab “champions values of creativity and responsible design, while tapping into the eccentric energy of the London fashion scene”.

The styles were originally unveiled during Ahluwalia’s SS24 runway show featuring the ‘Acknowledgements’ collection.

Priya Ahluwalia has made a major impact in recent seasons with designs that blend her Nigerian-Indian heritage with her London roots. 

She said: “For this collaboration I infused our signature style, playing with layering prints and textured acetate, resulting in a unique visual tapestry.”

Ace & Tate said the new sunglasses line “draws inspiration from overlooked artists of the diaspora, serving as a tribute to their under-appreciated work. Some of the motifs of the collection, symbolically ‘giving flowers’ to those who hadn’t received recognition before, are printed on the directional Niku and Mirko styles, newly introduced from Ace & Tate’s SS24 collection”. 

The maximalist and slightly winged Mirko frame will be available in two contemporary colourways. Mirko in Baya is a playful pink frame with matching pink lenses and a subtly standout dotted pattern. It’s inspired by the work of Baya Mahieddine, one of Algeria’s most celebrated artists, famous for the work that would inspire Picasso to paint a collection called Women of Algeria. 

Mirko in Namsa is more of a classic choice, with a bold pattern only on the inside of the frame.

For those seeking a “sleek and sophisticated silhouette”, the Niku frame offers a rectangular design featuring the Aurat and Valaida motifs. Both colourways feature a custom-made core wire with Ahluwalia’s signature ‘A’. 

Each pair comes in a soft cotton pouch with the “Ace & Tate by Ahluwalia” logo and a cleaning cloth featuring Ahluwalia’s prints. They’re packaged in an ethically-sourced sugarcane box with paper wrapping displaying Ahluwalia’s signature prints. 

They’re available now at the Ace & Tate Hanbury store and online at aceandtate.com and ahluwalia.world for €130/£130/$150 each.