Written by Lilly Workneh
Photography by Kipper Bush

Michelle Jane Philippe – sounds like some big-shot designer doesn’t she? Well, she is on her way to become one with her line of self-made sunglasses that has University of Georgia students glaring for a pair.

They are quite unique with a 9mm long chain glued to the rim of a pair of stylish shades. The chain comes in a metallic gold, silver and black along with a separate set of pearls. It also makes the glasses quite hard to lose with the chain draped around your neck.

“Making them was actually fairly easy,” Philippe explained. “The first time I used liquid crazy glue and my fingers were all stuck together… but now I use a different gel, that actually sticks pretty good.”

As a fifth-year student at UGA majoring in Fashion Merchandising, Philippe has quite an eye for styling and marketing sunglasses. Plus, it has turned out to be a quick success! Designer shades such as Armani, Carrera and Ray Ban often run hundreds of dollars, and it is not guaranteed that you will be able to find such unique styles shown in Philippe’s shades. Philippe sells her glasses for $20, and they were almost an automatic profit for her. They became popular with many of Athens fashionable residents.

“They’re different,” says Jerrian Clifton, a third-year Accounting major. “It combines jewelry with glasses and they’re flashy. That’s the kind of style I like.” These self-made shades are designed and made to look as good as those you can find walking into Sunglass Hut – if not better.

“I tried it first on my shades I bought from Dynamite and it turned out really good so I decided to sell them, “ Philippe commented. Philippe began a website for customers to order her unique shades. Listed on the site are pictures of each pair of shades: the Martine, Bianca, Britni, Kelsey and Gabrielle. Visit www.michellejane.bigcartel.com for more information.

There are several projects Philippe has in store for the future. She plans to create a line of shades bordered with studs to really give them that “wow” factor. A release date has not yet been set.Philippe is inspired by world-renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Giuseppe Zanotti and YSL. When it comes to describing her individual style and personality, Philippe leaves it to others to explain.

“My friends describe me as a freak of nature but I just think I’m a laid back, fun and creative girl that hates school,” Philippe says.

After college, Philippe plans to move to the city of big dreams – New York City. From there she hopes to delve into fashion PR or event planning and social events.
Wherever she lands, this independent trendsetter is sure to live a life worth seeing. Just make sure you take your shades off for this one.