Australia’s grand dame of fashion, designer Carla Zampatti, staged a gorgeous Winter 2018 runway show in Sydney last week.

A sea of smartly dressed women took their seats, all eyes fixed on the willowy, shiny haired models who began to glide down the runway.

“Oooh, they’re nice,” I said to the journalist sitting next to me. “And those too!”

“Yes, I was just thinking the same thing” she replied enthusiastically. “I want all of them.”

We weren’t, however, talking about the fashion, although it was lovely.

Carla was debuting a new eyewear collection, a range of 14 opticals and eight sunglasses that she has designed in collaboration with Specsavers.

An entire show full of elegant, oversized frames that were flattering, feminine, movie star glamorous.

The always amazing 75-year-old Carla emerged from backstage at the end in a feather coat and there was practically a standing ovation.

Given that a lot of us were women of a certain age, spectacles were right at the top, numero uno, of our must-have (i.e. must-see) list.

James Dean knew the value of a good tortoiseshell frame. Photo: Instagram/Bailey Nelson

“I’ve lost three pairs this year on planes,” said the businesswoman on my left.

“I just went to my usual optometrist and the price for a new prescription pair was almost a grand,” said another.

There were goodie bags on our seats. Forget perfumed candles and lip-gloss. Apart from a lovely pair of pale pink-framed oval sunglasses (apparently one of Carla’s personal favourites) we were most excited to find lens cleaner and some chic gold chains to attach to our readers.

Fashion shows often feature sunglasses and spectacle frames, especially houses such as Gucci who have been turning over millions in their celebration of supposed “geek chic”.

But Carla’s girls were anything but geeks; the classic frames just made them more beautiful, if that were possible.

I particularly liked her styles because so many of the frames swept upwards, in a sort of exaggerated cat’s eye shape. This is so flattering to the more mature woman, as it tends to also sweep the face upwards.

Unless you’re a supermodel with perfect bone structure (who is?), aviator sunglasses can make your face look saggy. Photo: Getty

Unless you have a sharply defined jawline – be it from genetics, youth or recent surgery – aviator shapes can really drag a face down and accentuate jowls, a truism that I would be happy to demonstrate if you just pass me a pair of mirrored Raybans.

There are charts that recommend what frames fit what shape of face, but I think these need to be navigated with your personal style and age in mind as well.

One chart suggested that red hair looks great with red or purples frames, but that is an acquired taste to be sure.

A heavy bar across the brow can make a big nose look bigger but then again I love big noses.

One element that looks great on everyone is tortoiseshell – it is softer than black especially on a blonde, it looks fabulous on redheads, it’s pretty with grey hair (although I love jet black glasses with bright silver or white hair).

I personally avoid overly jewelled or fancy frames, but on the right personality they can be memorable and chic.

There’s never been so much choice, and so many designer options. Just make sure you check your seat pockets before you disembark.