You can see the original chain sunglasses in magazine from the 1980's and 1990's. They were made by MERCURA NYC, worn by Debbie Gibson among other musicians. The MERCURA NYC CHAINS were filmed on Bobby Brown in the 1980's and owned by several interesting people at the Chelsea Hotel NYC including Shirley Clarke in 1988. Jose Eber in LA carried the line for many years, until he passed and a new manager took over the beauty center. Shops in New York, like Barney's at 17th Street had them in their windows and there is an article about the original copywright by MERCURA NYC SUNGLASSES in a 1989 newspaper, as they were so popular.
MERCURA NYC SUNGLASSES still makes them and Hilory Beckford(management of models and mom of Tyson) wears them, as does Lil Kim, Marc Suefentes and a series of divas.
The others or rip offs are claiming they were "inspired" by MERCURA NYC SUNGLASSES, but stylists see the copy cat situation is dangerous to innovative thinkers who have to make a living too!
Check Rachel Gilman's blog to see an American stylist's opinion!

Love the funky outfit!

The first time I saw MERCURA NYC chain sunglasses were on Shirley Clake at the Chelsea Hotel. They were smashing! Made with a chain of pearls that had been hand strung going directly into the top of a pair of cat eyes...... Everyone complimented them and she wore them often. That was back in the 1980"s.

Then,still in the eighties, also at the Chelsea Hotel, saw those Cohen Sisters who hand make all the MERCURA NYC frames, wearing the big ones they made with the chains accross the top. About four years later, to my knowledge, Chanel came out with his. It was shocking!

MERCURA NYC IS STILL MAKING CHAIN READING GLASSES AND CHAIN SUNGLASSES, SO IF YOU WANT TO BY FROM THE ORIGINATORS THEIR QUALITY IS ALSO OPTHALMIC.