Five Fits With: Le Specs creative director Hamish Tame
The Sydney-based eyewear designer chats to us about his style journey, key sunglass trends in 2025/26, and where he likes to shop in New York and London
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AUSTRALIAN EYEWEAR BRAND Le Specs may have been around since 1979, but it’s hit a new level of pop-cultural following since Hamish Tame relaunched the brand in 2006. That’s because Tame has a sharp eye for creating the eyewear shapes of the moment, which is exactly why the brand appeals to celebrities of the moment, from Justin Bieber to Rihanna. “Seeing icons like that in something you designed is surreal,” he tells Esquire for his edition of Five Fits. “I still get floored every time I see someone in Le Specs.”
Tame grew up surrounded by the local surf shops of his native Avoca Beach. While he admits his style hit its stride when he moved to Sydney after high school, a taste for colour, prints, and materials was in early development thanks to the surf culture of his Central Coast upbringing. Armed with that creative know-how, he began at Le Specs as an intern on the marketing team, before pivoting to the design department, where he would work his way up to creative director in two decades.
As for shaping the brand’s vision and effectively eyewear trends more broadly today, Tame finds most of his inspiration from the stylish folks of whatever city he’s visiting on a work trip, or digging through flea markets for the vintage sunnies and frames that he senses will circle back into style.
Recently, he took Esquire through five of his favourite fits, while telling us about the clothing brands he’s loving right now, key eyewear trends in 2025/26, and where to shop in New York and London.
Fit one
Esquire: Firstly, where did you grow up and where do you call home now?
Hamish Tame: I grew up in Avoca Beach, a small coastal town a couple of hours north of Sydney. These days, I split my time between Paddington in Sydney and Killcare, which isn’t too far from where I grew up. It’s nice to have the balance between the energy of the city and the calm of the beach.
What was considered ‘stylish’ or ‘cool’ when you were growing up?
Anything from our local surf shops – Shark Tower Surf or Slimes – was peak cool. Whatever was on their racks was the coolest. No questions asked.
When did you first become interested in clothing and style?
Apparently, it started early. As a toddler, I had this pair of bright yellow Wayfarer sunglasses I refused to leave home without, which must have been a nightmare for my parents. After that ‘yellow sunglasses era’, it wasn’t until I finished school and moved to Sydney that I began paying proper attention to clothing and style.
Fit two
Who are your personal style icons? What do you like about them?
A best mate once told me I’ve had “a lifetime of regrettable outfits”, and honestly, I’m proud of that. I’d say my style icons sit somewhere between Elton John and Justin Bieber – both constantly experimenting, never boxed in by a single aesthetic. I like that fluidity.
Tell us about how you got into designing eyewear.
After school, I took a marketing internship at an eyewear company. One day, they asked me to help the design team, and that turned into designing the sophomore collection for Le Specs. Twenty-two years later, I’m still here, and it has gone by in a flash.
Fit three
Where do you look for inspiration when designing a new pair of shades?
Inspiration can come from anywhere. Sometimes it’s vintage frames I’ll find at a flea market, other times it’s architecture, film, or even someone on the street of a city I’m in. I’m always looking at the balance between practicality and personality – sunglasses need to feel wearable but also like they say something about you.
Your designs have been seen on some famous faces. What have been your favourite and iconic moments?
I still get floored every time I see someone in Le Specs. The celebrities that really stand out are Yoko Ono, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga – she’s been a huge supporter over the years. Seeing icons like that in something you designed is surreal.
I’m curious about how eyewear trends come in and out. What do you think it is in your experience?
Eyewear trends have a funny way of circling back – what was once your dad’s ’90s holiday sunglass suddenly feels fresh again. The trick is not to copy the past but to twist it, redesigning shapes and details so they feel modern and a little unexpected. That’s the sweet spot: familiar enough to wear, but new enough to feel exciting.
In your opinion, what are some of the key eyewear trends for 2025/2026 that you’re seeing?
We’re seeing a significant return of slimline frames and tinted lenses – they’ve got that effortless, sophisticated energy. I’m also really into metal silhouettes right now; they feel very ’90s but reworked in a way that feels sleek and modern rather than retro costume. It’s less about nostalgia and more about evolution.
Fit four
When you’re not working, what do you do with your downtime? How do you chill out?
Gardening is my reset button – it’s the one time I can properly zone out and slow down. Outside of that, I like to keep things simple: time with friends and family, either by the pool at home or down at the beach.
Where are some of your favourite spots to shop in Sydney?
Above The Clouds is my go-to. They always have such an interesting edit of brands, and I walk out with things I didn’t even know I needed.
Fit five
You travel a lot between New York City and London, too. Where are your favourite stores in these cities?
In New York, I always make a point of visiting Bode and Aimé Leon Dore – both have this way of making you feel instantly elevated without trying too hard.
In London, I love the spectacle of Selfridges; it’s as much of an experience as it is shopping. And END. is a favourite for its mix of streetwear and contemporary labels.
Any clothing brands that you’re loving right now, and why?
Aries is an all-time fave brand for me, which became a real pinch-me moment this year when we collaborated with them on Le Specs. In terms of wardrobe staples, adidas is always an easy one that I can dress up or down and still feel comfortable.
If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it consist of?
Comfort is king – so it’d have to be a pair of board shorts, a baggy t-shirt, and, of course, a pair of Le Specs sunglasses.
Follow Hamish Tame on Instagram.
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