"Make a pair of tortoise-shell cat-eye shades!"
Jeff slammed the sink, sending water splashing onto the mirror, blurring the excitement in his eyes. He grabbed his phone and quickly searched for local eyewear workshops in Milan. The flashing red positioning dots on the screen looked like scattered fragments of inspiration, guiding him toward an unknown creative journey.
Two hours later, Jeff stood in front of an old workshop in the Brera district, marked by a weathered copper sign in the shape of eyeglasses. As he pushed open the door, a mix of sandalwood and leather scents hit him. Antique glasses lined the walls, each pair worn with a patina that whispered of years gone by.
"Signore, do you need help?"
The workshop owner, a silver-haired old man, glanced at Jeff's robe—fashioned from old curtains—but smiled appreciatively. Jeff pulled out his phone and opened the design he had drawn overnight: the cat-eye frames edged with a spire pattern inspired by the Milan Cathedral, the tortoise-shell plates embedded with broken diamonds at the joints, and a three-dimensional relief of a kitten hidden on the inside of the temple.
The old man put on his reading glasses and gently stroked the screen with his fingertips.
"Do you want to use the Murano glass gradient technique?" he asked. Turning around, he retrieved a palm-sized tortoise-shell plate from a hidden compartment and slowly rotated it under the fluorescent light.
"Look at these flowing amber patterns. Only the ancient pressing methods of the Venetian masters can achieve this effect."
When the first prototype transitioned from a 3D-printed model into a tangible object, Jeff held his breath. Under natural light, the tortoise-shell plate shifted between honey and caramel hues. The glossy acetate cat-eye frame was slightly elevated, its shades of brown blending seamlessly to create a fluid, artistic beauty—distinct and mesmerizing. The brown anti-reflective lenses not only effectively block harmful rays from the sun, but also reflected the spires of the cathedral outside the window. The kitten relief on the temple seemed to move with every blink.
Jeff couldn't wait to put on the sunglasses. Standing before the mirror, he studied his reflection. The cat-eye shape perfectly complemented his facial features, making him look more energetic and striking. As he stepped out onto the streets of Milan, heads turned. Fashionistas cast admiring glances, and a few bold young people approached him, eager to know which brand the glasses belonged to.
At that moment, Jeff understood—this wasn't just eyewear; it was a vision of Milan itself. The cathedral spires, the Venetian craftsmanship, the fusion of history and innovation—all reflected through the lenses. It was as if he were seeing the city through new eyes.
Through the eyes of Milan, he thought. That would be the story behind the Starfish collection.
A surge of pride washed over him. He knew these tortoise-shell cat-eye sunglasses was poised to spark a fashion sensation. He immediately began preparing for the product launch—a distinctive press conference featuring fashion icons, media outlets, and social influencers, all invited to witness the debut of his creative masterpiece.
He was confident: this pair of sunglasses would become a new classic in fashion history. And with this unique design, he would leave a lasting mark on the fashion world—one lens at a time, through the eyes of Milan.
