Eyewear designer, Alain Mikli, has created a line of new eyewear for the gentleman who’s budget is still wide open. As they put it, “Even in the midst of economic crisis… with elegance and provocation, Mikli makes a statement that now is the time for businessmen to make a safe investment that will last a lifetime.”

That investment  is a pair of eyeglass frames made from 18-carat pink or 14-carat yellow gold. “The water-buffalo horn was selected carefully, cut into sheets, shaped and polished to create a smooth exterior.”

They’re only available through Alain Mikli’s two New York City boutiques and come in at a 8600$US, giving the recession the big ole middle finger.

A more detailed view of the Alain Mikli Gold-Horn Eyewear after the jump.

As part of their Lee Cooper 100 project, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the denim brand, they have collaborated with high end eyewear brand Alain Mikli.

With a passion for innovation, Lee Cooper and Alain Mikli produce eyewear like no other.  Working from his lab in Paris, Alain revived his original 70s model. He proceeded to take apart a pair of 5 pocket Lee Cooper jeans to see what the core ingredients were. Denim aside, he focused on the zip and rivets. Lee Cooper jeans were then infused onto the frame – the first time this has ever been done.

Happy with the frame, Mikli moved onto the lens. Through sheer experimentation, Mikli devised a lens that includes a Lee Cooper zip, with the zipper teeth also carved in – pure imagination and completely conceptual. To match these hand made glasses, Alain designed a case from a Lee Cooper jean with the glasses fitting snuggly inside. What you see is innovation. A complex procedure crafted by a design genius.

At first you think somebody knows how to use Photoshop, but once you realize that its all reality, it is definitely very impressive. Alain Mikli also designed Kanye West’s Shutter Shades, that were reported about in all media and this new Lee Cooper collaboration once again confirms his innovative nature.

Make sure to have a look at more detailed views of the Alain Mikli For Lee Cooper sunglasses after the jump.