June 9 2026

Wonders from the Urbani archive : iconic eyewear

Eyewear that tells the story of an era

Reordering the Urbani archive is a bit like opening a door to the past: eyewear reemerges, telling stories of different eras, styles, and personalities.

During this process of organizing, we rediscovered several iconic models from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s—frames that helped shape the fashion and cultural landscape of that era.

The images show how eyewear has interpreted the spirit of its time, adapting to prevailing aesthetic languages while also helping to create new ones. The shape, size, materials, and colors become an integral part of the wearer’s image

Many celebrities from the worlds of music, film, and culture have made certain frames instantly recognizable, turning them into style icons that transcend generations.

Among the models we found, there is one in particular that perfectly embodies these concepts.

The Double M by Moss Liplow

The “The Double M” model by New York designer Moss Lipow became famous for being worn by legendary musicians such as Roy Orbison and Lightnin’ Hopkins.

A frame with a bold character that incorporates a surprising architectural reference: the design was inspired by the famous TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, designed in the 1960s by Eero Saarinen.

Like that iconic building, the eyewear—with its soft lines and distinctive shapes—conveys a futuristic and dynamic vision.