 |
| New Lines and Launches...
|
 |
|
What’s
New for Drivers
Younger
Optics unveiled
a new lens specifically designed to meet the visual
demands of driving. Known as Drivewear, the lenses
were developed in conjunction with Transitions Optical.
Drivewear lenses combine Younger’s NuPolar polarization technology
with Transitions’ photochromic technology to create the first
polarized photochromic lens to darken behind the windshield
of a car. Activated by Transitions, advanced dyes
respond to visiblelight and UV light allowing the
lenses to change color based on current driving conditions, enhancing
the driver’s
vision while blocking 100 percent of UVA and UBA
radiation. Almost everyone who drives can benefit
from the improved vision delivered by Drivewear lenses.
Drivewear
is available in hard resin, single-vision lenses with a prescription
range of -8.00 to +6.00D, in 2, 4, 6 and 8 bases with a progressive
version scheduled to launch by early 2007.
|
 |
|
Pretty
as a Picture
BagieS
by MagieS
Windsor
Eyes presents BagieS by MagieS, a collection
of whimsical, beaded, evening bag-style
eyeglass cases, offered in various motifs. The concept of the
line was to design and manufacture a unique
collection of beaded eyewear cases that
are adaptable to being used for cell phones or cosmetics. Each style
is vertical in shape with a strap and comes in two sizes, 3 ¾ inches
wide by 6 inches long with a 22-inch
strap or 4 inches by 8 inches with a 24-inch
strap. Style names include Hello Dolly,
Geisha Girl, Rose Tatoo, Taj Mahal and Monte Carlo, and
most designs are highlighted with silver,
gold or bronze coined tassels. Horizontal-style clutches will be
added to the line in the near future.
|
|
 |
| This
Season’s IT-Color
Red Alert
Following this
year’s Emmy’s, the newsstands were
filled with the ubiquitous “Best Dressed” lists always
found after every major awards show. Without
fail, starlets daring to wear red topped those
lists. It is this season's IT-color for clothes
and accessories and sunglasses are no exception. From passionate
rouges to vibrant crimsons this confident hue makes a bold sunglass
statement for anyone brave enough to don it.
 |
 |
 |
|
Marc
Jacobs style MJ068 |
|
Alain
Mikli A0538.14U8 from the Passion Rouge collection
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
| Strengthening
a Brand With High Fashion Displays
Cohens
Proves It’s All in the Merchandising
Cohen’s Fashion Optical, a New York retail landmark for over
80 years, is a well- recognized name in optical circles. Last spring
management at this 101 unit chain, which has long been known for specializing
in fashion eyeglasses and sunglasses, decided to step up its sunwear
business by creating artful and compelling window displays in key
retail locations in the tri-state area, the likes of which are more
often seen at larger retailers like Bloomingdale’s or Saks Fifth
Avenue.
It fell
on Michael Lebovics shoulders, as director of
visual merchandising for Cohen’s Fashion Optical,
to get it done. “The goal was to further emphasize
Cohen’s
as the ultimate destination for designer eyewear,” said
Lebovics. Inspired by current fashion and design
trends, and working closely with the marketing
department, he created a series of window displays
that would reflect what occurs in the general
fashion retail arena while reinforcing eyewear as a true
fashion accessory.
His
concept included featuring several identical sets of the
display in many of the stores, allowing them to spotlight
several different designers across one storefront while
simultaneously creating a consistent Cohen’s branded image. It is
something that would be impossible to do using traditional
vendor-provided POP and therefore, created more consistency
throughout the chain, thus strengthening the Cohen’s
brand. The initial summer ‘05 display included adorable
white dogs followed this spring by bright colors and butterflies
leading into a nautical theme for summer ’06.
However
it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Many different
factors had to be taken into consideration when developing
the designs. Lebovics and his team were responsible for developing
each individual display concept and every aspects of the
program—from initial concept development to final installation
to multi-store roll outs. They also needed to
create displays that would be bold and compelling
even from a distance, yet not overpower the much smaller
product while making sure that the displays would be easily
scaleable to fit into different sized windows and showcases
for use in multiple store locations.
In the end
it was all worth it. According to Lebovics the
program has already improved sales, as well as
enhanced the Cohen’s brand image. He says going forward,
Cohen’s
will continue to feature designer brands in distinctive
fashion-inspired displays and due to the program’s success
he will be rolling out the displays to all Cohen’s Fashion
Optical stores soon. This fall look for familiar
fall motifs is reinterpreted with a unique twist.
Using of the moment colors like chocolate brown,
mustard and orange featured in asymmetrical patterns of abstract
oak leaves with the silhouette of a squirrel nibbling
an acorn to convey an image that is cute and sophisticated
at the same time. |
|
|
|
 |
|
Interactive
Web Demo Promotes Polarized Sunglasses
|
|
Polaroid, the inventor of polarization, has developed
an interactive demonstration, which visually communicates the benefits
of wearing Polaroid polarized sun lenses.
The Polaroid Polarized Lens Demonstration, the first-ever interactive,
Web-based demonstration is designed to help eyewear manufacturers
and distributors of Polaroid polarized sunglasses more effectively
promote and sell their products to customers around the globe.
This excellent new selling tool now makes it easy for consumers
to see the benefits of wearing polarized lenses by enabling them to
select from an array of colored lenses and view first-hand the advantages
of polarization in various outdoor environments. The situations simulated
on the Web site include, glare-free vision, enhanced contrasts, outstanding
color perception and significantly less eye fatigue.
Experience the difference Polaroid polarized sun lenses make by
visiting
http://www.greendesigninc.com/Polaroid_Lenses2/.
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
Winner’s
Circle
Jeremy Piven
wore his John Varvatos style V706 in black on the red carpet
before walking off with the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in
a Comedy Series for his role on “Entourage.” |
|
All
the Right Notes
Jamie Lynn
Sigler, who plays Meadow Soprano on the hit HBO show, wears
Kata Eyewear's Plus
5 from B Robinson. |
|
Don’t
Leave Home Without Them
Paris Hilton
loves her Oliver People’s Harlot frames
so much she has them in multiple colors.
Here she wears Ivory Shell. |
|
Deal
Howie Mandel,
host of the wildly popular game show, “Deal
or No Deal,” is red hot in his Prada Linea Rossa SPS 50ES
sunglasses.
|
 |
Strike a Pose
The always stylish Debra Messing paints a pretty picture in her
Vogue sunglasses. |
|
Man in Black
Christian
Slater recently purchased
the Mykita Rolf in Black.
|
|
Back
to Top |
|
|
| |
|
|
New Lines and Launches...
|
Alain
Mikli
Alain Mikli offers distinctive classics
and is positioned for those with impeccable
taste, an eye for detail and a desire
for quality. These ivory frames, styles
A0640-25 and A0538-25, are made of acetate
and feature Zeiss polarized and photochromatic
lenses with anti fog, smudge resistant
and non glare coatings. |
|
|
Blinde
OSA International continues in the
direction of more colorful and fashion-oriented
frame styles with a revised Blinde
sunwear collection. Conceived as a
series of 3-Dimensional sculptures
with sleek lines and smooth curves,
the line includes metal as well as
high quality acetate frames with core
beta titanium in the temples for flexibility
and comfort. The strong and durable
signature seven-barrel stainless steel
hinge creates a streamlined six-point
design on the temple, which is less
obvious than a traditional logo. The
glass polarized and polycarbonate polarized
lenses make these styles ideal for
use in all outdoor activities.
|
|
|
Carolina
Herrera
Inspired
by the sophisticated, feminine designs of Carolina Herrera
and upholding her reputation for classic taste and the use
of luxurious materials, comes the newest group in the designer’s
eyewear collection for Base Curve.
It features a range of proprietary casting and manufacturing
techniques, like laser engraved alligator textures and interlocking
rings and lattice work that give a three-dimensional effect
to the temples and end pieces. Other styles are enhanced
with colorful Swarovski crystals and include colors ranging
from natural horns and tortoises to patterned black-on-black
acetates.
|
|
|
Guess
Guess Eyewear, by Viva International,
bows several new sunwear groupings
for fall. The
new offerings include both unisex
and women’s frames. The women’s
frames feature retro styling and rhinestone,
stud and crystal embellishments on
plastic constructions in strong rectangular
and oversized oval shapes. While the
unisex styles include plastic frames,
and metal fronts with plastic temples,
in oversized rectangular and oval shapes
with adjustable nosepads.
|
|
|
Lanvin
A
new Lanvin men’s sunwear collection
makes its debut this fall from Cachet,
the high-end eyewear division of L’Amy
America. Lanvin, the oldest couture
house in France, aims to be one of
the very few discreet brands in an
otherwise over branded market. It offers
a unique balance between provocative
fashion and easy to wear styling by
incorporating a high level of quality
and modern design. The sunwear line
targets men age 35 plus who are urban,
wealthy and elegant. The Lanvin styles
prominently feature aviators along
with sleek metal top bar treatments
and several wrap styles in metal, acetate
and combinations with colors ranging
from anthracite and black to blue,
brown and tortoiseshell.
|
|
|
M+ from Modo
Modo
Eyewear continues the reinterpretation
of last spring’s vibrant, colorful
and easy-to-wear M+ line with the fall
2006 sun collection. M+ was conceived
as a creative lab and with a refreshed
creative team it is now an even stronger
and more differentiated design statement.
The launch of the new sun collection
completes M+’s renewal. Two feminine,
one masculine and one unisex shapes
are made of two-layered acetates. Colors
range from classic tortoise and black
to more spirited combinations like
brown and pink or black and orange
and feature the revamped M+ logo carved
out of the temple tips.
|
|
|
Oakley
Oakley
is extending its line of “Oakley
Activated by Transitions” photochromic
sun lenses with the addition of a
prescription product line.
It
is an evolutionary step in sunglass
technology, offering high levels
of performance, convenience and optical
clarity. The
new line of Oakley Activated by Transitions
sunglass lenses will be the first
time a lens utilizing Transitions
technology will be distributed through
retail channels beyond the dispensary.
Initially, Oakley is offering the
plano sunglass lenses in two performance
colors, Oakley’s VR50 and Black Persimmon,
and six frame designs: Whisker, Bottlecap,
Crosshair, Half Jacket, Racing Jacket
and Monster Dog. Prescriptions can
be ordered with Oakley Transitions
in gray or brown or Oakley Iridium
lenses.
|
|
|
Revo Adventure
Revo has introduced a new line called
the Revo Adventure collection providing
maximum UV protection, extra coverage,
and comfort. Created for those with
a passion for excellence, Revo Adventure
collection is designed for the innovator
who appreciates advanced optical technology
and superior quality. It is comprised
of three wrap styles made of durable
nylon construction with lightweight,
shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses.
The anti-scratch polarized lenses reduce
glare and feature gradient flash mirrors
that prevent squinting. Their six layers
of anti-reflective coatings absorb
bounceback glare and reduce eye fatigue
all to ensure clearer vision.
|
|
|
Back
to Top |
|
|
|
|