Oh, The Velvet Underground. How mired in controversy, how excitingly enmeshed in pop cultural history that band has become. How iconic they are, how seminal to the way people make music now, how they have shaped the way people think about art, how intrinsic to the modern definition of cultural “coolness.” Who better to preserve and promulgate that legacy of “cool” than Jacques Marie Mage, luxury brand known for ethically-produced and philanthropically aligned modern heirloom eyewear? The brand has announced the forthcoming release of THE VICIOUS: the latest and final iteration of  Jacques Marie Mage’s ongoing collaboration with the estate of glam-rock pioneer band, The Velvet Underground.

Since 2019, the creative collaboration has yielded a number of designs directly inspired by those worn by iconic band members Nico, Lou Reed, and John Cale, but THE VICIOUS– available beginning September 29th online, in JMM Galleries, as well as in a selection of fine retail partners– is specifically inspired by frames worn by Lou Reed as he worked on his second solo album, Transformer. Wrap-around frames featuring a 7-barrel hinge and a distinct nose bridge, THE VICIOUS model comes in a metallic silver monograph box (which references the foil decor at Andy Warhol’s infamous Factory) and is accompanied by a custom eyewear case and a commemorative cleaning cloth. A select number of purchases will be shipped with an official vinyl double-LP of the motion picture soundtrack from Todd Haynes documentary, The Velvet Underground.