Featured image courtesy of Vision Express.
MANILA, Philippines — We’ve seen it time and again. Some fashion eras never truly disappear. They simply return in new forms, reinterpreted and shaped beautifully to mirror new sensibilities through a different generation.
With its newest collection rollout, 9Lives, the eyewear label founded by multi-faceted modern-day Filipino icon, Nadine Lustre, in collaboration with Vision Express, the release revisits the confident attitude of the ‘90s — an era remembered for bold silhouettes, effortless cool, and statement eyewear that became an extension of personal style.
Key visuals courtesy of Vision Express.
‘90s Redux
For Lustre, the inspiration behind the collection is deeply personal. “The ’90s have always been one of my favorite eras when it comes to culture and fashion,” she writes in a press statement.
“It’s also the decade I was born into. Growing up, I remember seeing my parents wearing these kinds of sunglasses — bold frames, tinted lenses, pieces that really made a statement. There was something about that era that felt effortless but still very cool.”
That sense of effortless confidence became a subtle point of inspiration for the collection — not as a literal reproduction of vintage styles, but as a modern reinterpretation of the era’s attitude.
The new collection explores this spirit through a lineup of sunglasses defined by sculptural acetate frames, sleek metal constructions, and reflective lenses. The designs balance nostalgia with modern refinement, resulting in pieces that feel both familiar and contemporary.
Onto the next chapter
(L-R) Otto, Cognac and Miel. Images courtesy of Vision Express.
This next chapter of 9Lives took its time. Rather than rushing a follow-up, the brand allowed the collection to evolve naturally, refining shapes and finishes until the direction felt clear. The result sees a cohesive lineup anchored in confident proportions and bold silhouettes that frame the face with quiet strength.
At the center of the collection is a focus on heavier acetate frames, giving the designs a strong sense of structure and presence. Their sculptural forms echo the statement eyewear that defined late 90s fashion, where sunglasses were worn not just for practicality but as defining style pieces.
Complementing the acetate designs are sleek metal frames that introduce a lighter, more minimal contrast. Slim metallic constructions add balance to the collection, offering silhouettes that feel refined while maintaining the modern edge that defines the brand.
(L-R) Ren in Solar Flare and Gunmetal. Images courtesy of Vision Express.
Lens treatments further shape the overall aesthetic. Subtle tints, smooth finishes, and reflective surfaces create depth and dimension, adding a quiet attitude without overwhelming the frames’ simplicity. The interplay between solid acetate structures and lighter metallic elements creates a rhythm that feels both polished and expressive.
Together, the designs form a versatile wardrobe of eyewear that reflects the spirit behind 9Lives: confident, expressive, and constantly evolving. Some frames lean into bold structure while others embrace understated minimalism, allowing wearers to move easily between moods, styles, and moments.
The newest collection captures that philosophy through pieces that feel both familiar and fresh — a quiet nod to the past, reimagined for the present.
(L-R) Morgan in Solar Flare and Gunmetal. Images courtesy of Vision Express.
The new 9Lives x Vision Express collection is now available in all Vision Express stores nationwide and online at https://visionexpress.ph/.
To learn more about Vision Express, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Follow 9Lives on Instagram.
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