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| New Lines and Launches...
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| What’s
New on the Horizon
From
polarized lens specialists, KBco, is
a new series of high-performance sun lenses called
the Single
Vision Wrap, developed in six different aspheric designs
tailored to a specific Rx power. A solution to provide
sun optics for oversized fashion and performance
wrap style frames, the new lenses come in extra large
blanks and feature a unique software program for
labs and ECPs to provide even more precise surfacing.
They are offered in KBco True Grey, Grey C and Brown
C shades. A new EOS
Wrap,
for PAL wearers, is anticipated to come to the market
soon...
From Essilor of America, Definity and Definity
Short are new Rx polarized lenses which provide ECPs
unique choices to meet the needs of their patients’ active,
outdoor lifestyles. Both products provide UV protection
for summer outdoor activities while Definity
Short is a polarized choice for patients
in a short-corridor progressive lens.
It features the benefits of the Definity Dual-Add design
which can be fitted into smaller, more fashionable
frames. These polarized options provide 100 percent
UVA and UVB protection and are available in grey and brown.
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Art and
Architecture
Corinne
McCormack’s
Art Deco holiday line is a striking range
of sunglasses, readers, eye chains, and eyeglass cases that sparkle
with urban sophistication. The architecture-inspired line takes style
cues from striking angular shapes reminiscent of designs seen in Manhattan’s
Art Deco Empire State and Chrysler Buildings.
Coordinating eye chains feature beads with motifs that call to mind Radio City
Music Hall and other landmark concert halls of the 1920s. The soft rose gold
chains are designed with Austrian crystals in combination with faceted jet, hematite,
and smoked diamond beads. Eyeglass cases in framed styles reminiscent of vintage
compact purses complete the line.
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| Turquoise
Turquoise
Takes Hold
From
the relaxing azures of the sea to the glimmery
sheen of swimming pool….From
the striking look of precious and semi-precious
stones to the earthy return of silver and ethnic
jewelry pieces......turquoise
is a strong trend taking hold in new sunwear styles.
Sometimes it’s
the color of the frame itself, in other instances
it’s an accent
or a detail.
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Hana’s
Jasmine |
Safilo’s
Valentino |
Sama’s
Femme in peacock |
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| Leveraging
sales with eye level placement
He’s
Got Game—Portland Area Retailer Plays to Win
PORTLAND, Ore.—Bill MacGillvray is not content to sit on the
sidelines. As the owner of three retail optical businesses, this optician
wants to constantly stay in the game. With over 25 years of experience,
MacGillvray has made a name for himself in the city of Portland—and
beyond.
He owns two stores, North Portland Optical and All About Eyes.
And about five years ago, he launched an internet venture called
visiblespectrum.net, which specializes in the direct sale of
Rx sport optics to consumers.
MacGillvray
credits much of his success to the fact that he was able to
create an area of expertise and run with it. “It’s
easier to say you can’t sell sunglasses than to learn
the business and be aggressive about it. I was motivated because
my own eyes were bad and I couldn’t find good options
for Rx Sun.”
MacGillvray tried doing his own work and then worked closely
with the folks at Oakley and their Rx sun program, testing new
products and fine-tuning his merchandise mix.
Visiblespectrum.net showcases styles from Oakley, Maui Jim, Nike,
Spy and Adidas, among others. Consumers can surf the site
and order online or make a call directly to MacGillvray, the “Sunglass
Dr.” for advice and direction.
At the stores,
he offers customers a full range of optical services, some
of the stores more high-fashion, others targeting a younger,
more active customer base. In both shops, sunwear
accounts for about 25 percent of total sales.
– Kristen
Spina |
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European
Sunglass Association (ESA) Produces New Educational
DVD About Sunglasses
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FREIBERG,
Germany--The European Sunglass Association (ESA) has produced a
new educational film about the need for sunglasses, which it is
making available to retailers and opticians to help educate their
staffs and consumers as well.
 Titled "Watch
Your Eyes," the film can be previewed on the group's Web site, www.eurosunglass.com.
One of the objectives
of ESA, a European organization, is to increase communication to
the end consumer with the objective to protect human health and
to increase the quality of sunglasses being distributed in the European
Community, the organization said.
A spokesperson
for the ESA said that "Watch Your Eyes" will be available
in English, German, Italian, French and Spanish, with other languages
an option, depending on the number of ordered films. The DVDs will
be available for delivery this fall, so that they can be used for
marketing and educational purposes for spring 2007.
The primary target
is the end consumer, but ESA encourages opticians to use it at point-of-sale,
on Web sites, at fairs and exhibitions, for presentations and for
education and training courses at universities and technical schools.
The European Sunglasses
Association's main goals are to support the growth and development
of the European sunglass market. ESA works to assists its members
from the industry and the retail business with professional information
on various topics such as legal and technical requirements, training
and education, marketing and public relations, statistics and scientific
programs. Its initiatives are also aimed at increasing the awareness
of the need for UV protection. |
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Making the Mark
Mykita ROLF
will be worn by Mark Wahlberg in his upcoming film, “Shooter.” |
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Hey Girlfriend
Uma Thurman
("My Super Ex-Girlfriend")
is seen wearing Robert Marc style 561. |
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Investigating Mischka
William Peterson
of TV’s “CSI” in Badgley Mischka. |
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Grenier
in Armani
Adrian Grenier,
the main character on HBO's hit show “Entourage,” wore
the Giorgio Armani 140S sunglass in a summer episode.
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"Nanny"
Wear?
Fran Drescher
of “The Nanny” and
CW11’s “Living
with Fran” loves her Ted Baker Aviators so much, she bought
10 pairs from Tura. Here, she’s wearing the B410-Sonny.
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New Lines and Launches...
Chloe
A
new launch from L’Amy’s
new Cachet Division, Chloe brings retro
forms and subtle style to sunwear,
evoking many of the themes seen in
Chloe apparel and accessories, particularly
handbags. The debut collection features
oversized styles which are feminine
and delicate with a vintage touch,
evoking the icons of the 70’s.
Rich earth tones and tonal differences
add dimension to the different shapes.
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| Fendi
Inspired
by the hotter-than-hot Fendi buckle
belt and bag, the Fendi B-Buckle
sunglass collection is new this fall.
The fashion forward geometric shape
of the FS382 and the classic sophistication
of the square FS384 capture the signature
belt buckles on both temples. Gold
metal details feature the Fendi double “F” pattern.
Stitching effects create a leather
illusion in such colors as shiny
black, bisquit, shiny black and white,
shiny white and dark brown. There
are also two Fendi B-Buckle limited
edition styles featuring an antique
amber gold finished eyelet and belt
loop, crafted in metal and adorned
with intricately placed rhinestones
and rivets on both temples.
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Koali
Sun
Morel USA has released the Koali sun collection featuring
rich colors with lenses engraved on the temporal side with
the signature Koali wallpaper pattern. Additionally, the bold
temples are laser engraved and filled with a colored epoxy
for a textured look and unique finish. The two new styles,
purchased in all three colors per style, will enable customers
to receive a special display box and a Koali T-shirt. A clam
shell case fits the frame comfortably.
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Lacoste
Charmant USA is launching a new sunwear
collection under the Lacoste brand,
consisting of a range of 26 sunglass
styles for men and women that reflect
the sporty image of the brand.
The legendary brand was founded in
1933 when Rene Lacoste, a great tennis
champion and a two-time winner of the
U.S. Open, created a shirt for his
personal use, designed especially for
tennis playing and the famous Lacoste
polo was born.
The
new Lacoste line will focus on “Modern
Classics” bringing together style,
color and modern sportiness. Sleek
wraps, shield-like shapes are among
the styles as are bright colors with
white in combo or alone plus the Lacoste
signature color of black-and-white. |
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Ted
Baker
Ted
Baker’s sunwear collection,
with Tura, features 14 hot styles for
men and women, ranging from the classic
aviator to the modern wrap in sharp
color combinations and attention to
detail. Supporting material includes
a six-piece display, mirror, logo ID,
and two counter cards. And, as an added
bonus, all new Ted Baker sunwear dealers
receive a Ted Baker Palm Tree umbrella. |
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| Touch
by Alain Mikli
With his close association to the
vision-impaired community through various
design projects, eyewear designer Alain
Mikli creates Touch, a sunwear collection
with a message. The temple design on
the frames features the Mikli Touch
logo in Braille, bringing a message
about sharing with sight and senses.
Styles are offered in black and rich
red.
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| Vogue
Glamour,
wearability and Rx-ability make three
new sunwear introductions from Luxottica’s Vogue collection
an ideal choice for a wide variety
of fashion-forward ladies who love
edgy styles that can accommodate their
prescription. The VO 2442S here, available
in chocolate, plum, crème
or coffee and caramel are featured
in a striking rectangle design.
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SUN STUFF
Increasing Sunwear Inventory Goes a Long Way
NEW YORK— Although
summer is beginning to wind down, it’s
never too late for your customers to protect their
eyes from the sun.
A recent poll
on Vision
Monday’s Web site
asked readers “With sunwear season in full swing, what are
you doing to increase your sunwear sales?” The results offered
some interesting insights as to how ECPs boost
their sunwear business. According to the VM Live
Poll, nearly half of the respondents (47 percent)
indicated they were “increasing their
sunwear inventory.”
Another 25 percent said they were were “adding sunwear to
Rx eyeglass sales and promoting RX sunwear to patients” while
14 percent of the poll’s
respondents were “featuring sunwear in window and other store displays.”
Finally, another
14 percent indicated they were “promoting sunwear
protection to reduce damage from UV rays. |
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