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| New Lines and Launches...
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Vision-Ease Expands Melanin Polarized Polycarbonate Line
RAMSEY, Minn.--Vision-Ease Lens has expanded the SunRx Melanin polarized
polycarbonate lenses in the D28 bifocal product style to include more colors and styles.
“Vision-Ease promotes sun protection as a part of regular health care through our product
offerings,” said Michael Ness, vice president of sales and marketing, Vision-Ease Lens.
“By expanding the SunRx Melanin product line to include the D28 bifocal, more
customers are able to benefit from the superior protection SunRx Melanin lenses
provide.”
“At age 40, we have already lost 15 percent of our initial amount of melanin and at age 50, only 75 percent of the protecting pigment remains in our eyes,” said Cathy Bates, new product manager, Vision-Ease Lens. “Because of the diminished protection older patients have in their eyes, it was essential to offer the SunRx Melanin lenses in a D28 bifocal to that demographic.”
According to Vision-Ease Lens, the SunRx Melanin lenses are the only polarized lenses to receive both the recommendation of the Skin Cancer Foundation and the acceptance of the American Optometric Association for not only protecting against harmful UV light and glare, but for also blocking optimal levels of high energy visible light, which has been known to contribute to macular degeneration.
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Amy Sacks
Loves Animals
PORTLAND, Ore.--Amy Sacks has been fostering homeless pets since her sophomore year in college. Over the years she has used her time and money to assist a mobile vet and provide emergency rescue and adoption services for the Humane Society. Today, she is working to establish a foundation called The Pixie Project that will provide spay and neuter services, as well as other veterinary services, for pets in low-income families.
Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories was founded in part to provide funding for The Pixie Project and contributes a part of its profits to the not-for-profit foundation. Now, they are also launching an eyeglass case which communicates the company’s love for animals and their commitment to their health and security. The case sells for $10, 50 percent of which is directly contributed to The Pixie Project.
The Pixie Project is named for the abused terrier mix that was rescued by Amy, and adopted by her mother Ann Sacks, founder of Ann Sacks Tile and Stone. Ann is now running a new company, Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories, a line of fashionable reading glasses, reading sunglasses, sunglasses, optical frames and accessories, and, with Amy, is deeply involved in animal welfare.
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| See-Through Style
The Crystal Method
The next big trend in sunglasses is crystal clear. Crystal clear frames that is. Translucent frames have made an appearance in a number of collections. From transparent clear to saturated yet lucent colors, see-through has never looked so good.
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Bottega Veneta style 47/S in Beige.
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Paul Smith style PS-379 in Becr with Sienna detail.
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Alain Mikli style 048737
in Cherry.
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Helping Patients
Understand the Need for Sun Protection
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| Oakley Launches Mobile 'O Lab' |
 FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--Oakley, Inc. has deployed the Rolling O Lab, a mobile demonstration unit that will travel the nation to educate consumers about the company's High Definition Optics (HDO) technology.
"Consumers need to open their eyes to the fact that not all sunglasses are created equal," said Colin Baden, president of Oakley, Inc. "We developed the Rolling O Lab to educate people about the truth of today's eyewear and to show firsthand how Oakley's HDO sunglasses provide the best optical clarity, impact resistance and UV protection in the industry. By taking our science to the street, we can reach out to those who might not have an opportunity to learn about the quality and performance of our eyewear.
 "In educating the public, the Rolling O Lab will also serve as a mobile marketing unit that entertains and enlightens, maintaining a positive and powerful brand presence. It presents a high-quality image of the company by utilizing a comprehensive and meticulously crafted audio/visual package," said Baden. The Rolling O Lab is scheduled to be on the road more than 300 days a year, according to Baden.
 Built as a 40-foot motorcoach with a 2007 Freightliner chassis, the fully self-contained facility offers live demonstrations of the company's optical performance and protection at retail locations, sport venues and other select public events. Three large slide-outs increase interior space for demonstrations and serve as a base camp. The main entrance extends to a 4' x 8' stage and a 20' x 30' awning with half sidewalls to provide additional display areas outside the coach.
Technology presentations inside the Rolling O Lab include the use of optical laser scope equipment which demonstrates clarity and prism shift, ultraviolet emitters and measuring devices to illustrate UV protection, and testing rigs that show the effects of high-velocity and high-mass impact situations.
The mobile facility includes three large plasma screens, an electronics cart with touch screens, product displays, a seating area and a wheelchair lift for coach access. The coach tows a 20-foot hospitality trailer complete with guest seating and a large plasma display, as well as a gaming unit and restroom.
PGA tournament fans were the first to experience Oakley's new Rolling O Lab when it made its debut at the FBR Phoenix Open earlier this month. To learn more about the Rolling O Lab, go to the company's Web site at www.oakley.com for more information including upcoming schedules.
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Ray-Ban Brings Winners to Sundance
 PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--As part of the Sundance Film Festival and Ray-Ban partnership, Luxottica sponsored a Ray-Ban promotion and sweepstakes in which both customers and Ray-Ban sales reps were eligible to win a Grand Prize trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The special Ray-Ban Sundance promotion was held between December 1 and 31 in 2006 and was open to customers who purchased one or more of the four available Ray-Ban promotional packages. The number of entries and chances to
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| Winning Ray-Ban sales rep, James Cook, left, and his wife Monica, enjoy a morning of snow-mobiling during their Grand Prize trip to Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival. |
win depended on the promotion purchased--the more entries, the greater the chance of winning. The winners were chosen at random.
The Sales Rep contest was available to both 3-O and sports reps. The winner was the representative with the most ‘sales points’ at the end of the promotion.
There were three Grand Prize Winners of the trip to the Sundance Film Festival. Winning Ray-Ban customers were Konchena and Ron Matlin of KMA Sunglasses in Bakersfield, Calif., and Suzanne Kimmons OD of Spec-takular Boutique in Dawsonville, Ga. Each Grand Prize winner was invited to take along a guest of their choice to Sundance.
The Grand Prize winning Ray-Ban Sales Representative was James Cook of Bellflower, Calif.
As part of their Grand Prize the winners received free air fare and hotel accommodations during the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival. They also received tickets to movie screenings, spa treatments, a snow-mobiling tour, the opportunity to dine with Luxottica management, Pierre Fay, senior vice president, and Vittorio Verdun, vice president of marketing, and passes to the Ray-Ban Visionary Award ceremony and party. At the party, actor Aaron Eckhart was honored with the 2007 Ray-Ban Visionary Award, presented in association with The Creative Coalition, and ended with a special musical performance by young, breakout artists the All-American Rejects.
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| Konchena and Ron Matlin from KMA Sunglasses in Bakersfield, Calif., relax in the Ray-Ban V.I.P. section during the Ray-Ban Visionary Award ceremony and party for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. |
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Suzanne Kimmons, OD, right, from Spec-takular Boutique in Dawsonville, Ga., with her two guests during the All-American Rejects’ performance at the Ray-Ban Visionary Award ceremony and party. |
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L-R, Vittorio Verdun and Pierre Fay of Luxottica pose on the red carpet with award winner Aaron Eckhart and Robin Bronk of the Creative Coalition at the Ray-Ban Visionary Award ceremony and party. |
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Useful Information for Retailers
Sunglasses Association of America Sees Increase in Sunglass Unit Sales
LABELLE, Fla.--The Sunglass Association of America (SAA) has unveiled their sixth annual 2006 market survey for consumer sunwear purchases based on research results from Jobson-VCA’s VisionWatch. The study--the only independent market research available for eyewear--covers all major retail channels and is compiled from quarterly research conducted by Jobson-VCA's VisionWatch.
The online study, which tabulated responses from 100,000 consumers 18 years of age and older, indicated a sharp, continued uptrend in market volume, with a one-year, 9.1 percent increase in sunglass unit sales from the 12ME (Months Ending) Sept. ’05 to the 12ME Sept ’06. The number was up 13.5 percent since 12ME Sept. ’04 compared to 12ME Sept. ’06, according to research results.
According to the report, the rise in the sunglass market continues to be fueled by the continued growth in refractive surgery procedures, increases in the number of contact lens users, and consumer education regarding the importance of UV protection. Retail sales in dollars were up 14.6 percent in 12ME Sept ’06 vs. 12ME Sept. ’05, which saw a 3.4 percent decrease during the previous one-year reporting period from the 12ME Sept. ’04 to the 12ME Sept. ’05.
The percentage of retail dollar sales to men showed incremental growth, from 50.3 percent in the 12ME Sept. ’05 to 50.8 percent in the 12ME Sept. ’06 while women accounted for 49.2 percent of retail dollar sales in 12ME Sept. ’06 down 0.5 percentage points from 49.7 in the 12ME Sept. ’05. Men also pay more, with the average selling price coming in at $21.54 vs. $17.28 for women in the 12ME Sept. ’05.
Source: VisionWatch, a study conducted by Jobson-VCA . |
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Paper or Plastic?
This is proof positive that stars will pony up their hard-earned cash when it comes to a great product. Here, Christian Slater chats up a sales associate after purchaing his Persol Limited Edition frames by Luxottica. |
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A Girl's Best Friend
No it isn’t Ashley Simpson’s cute little dog, its her Kieselstein-Cord "Big Bird" sunglasses, style BK#284615 by Optical Shop of Aspen International. |
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Bad Guys Beware
On the Jan. 4 episode of the CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Marg Helgenberger, who plays investigator Catherine Willows, wore a pair of Gucci, style 2550S, sunglasses from Safilo. |
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The Greatest Love of All
There is nothing more worthy of adoration than a fabulous pair of sunglasses. Just ask Maya Rudolph who donned a pair of Christian Roth frames, style CR14228 GP, by Charmant to complete her Whitney Houston impression for the Jan. 13 episode of Saturday Night Live. |
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The
Style Whisperer
There is nothing quiet about the style BBL002 sunglasses from Revolution Eyewear that Jennifer Love Hewitt showed off on the red carpet of the MTV Movie Awards; the Ghost Whisperer star was screaming style. |
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New Lines and Launches...
Costa Del Mar
Costa Del Mar has introduced its latest line of light weight, rimless, metal frames. These additions include Lightfoot, Flycatcher and Ghost, and all feature world-class fit and durability in the form of stylish stainless steel frames. Each of the new frame styles offer fully-adjustable silicone nose pads to prevent slippage when out on the water, and the co-injected template tips give the wearer a lightweight, “forget-they’re-on” fit and the three-barrel stainless steel hinge allows for easy optical adjustment. Each pair features an anti-reflective coating that effectively reduces bounce back glare by 99.6 percent. |
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Jhane Barnes
The Jhane Barnes Sunwear collection is an upscale, modern collection for men. Each style features either a 6-base or 8-base face curve, polarized lenses for UV protection and is available in a variety of masculine shapes and sizes. From updated aviators to modified rectangles and colors like gunmetal, black and tortoise, this collection offers men fashionable designs in sunwear. Custom Jhane Barnes patterns have been replicated on the temples for a contemporary look and each sun style is finished with a signature Jhane Barnes square temple tip featuring four, stainless steel inserts. |
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Lulu Guinness
Tura expanded its Lulu Guinness Sunwear collection with the addition of 12 styles. Targeted to women with a whimsical and feminine state-of-mind, the new sunglasses incorporate the allure of yesteryear with the fashion trends of tomorrow, splashed with the special flair that is Lulu Guinness. The new line consists of zyls in mother-of-pearl, marble and animal stripe treatments, intricate metals and extravagant metal/zyl combinations with distinctive adornments. Shapes vary from retro rectangles and ovals to striking aviators and butterflies. |
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Shisedio
Made by Aoyama Optical USA, Inc., Shisedio creates the optimum in ultra glam feminine sunwear. The Shisedio sunwear series consists of two eye-catching styles in various color combinations. The SH9602 is an oversized squared frame while the SH9601 is an oversized rounded style. With their dramatic use of dual colorations in double laminate zyl, with embellishments of carved, mod floral designs on the outside temples, these frames are the epitome of couture fashion. |
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Thalia
The Kenmark Group released its 2007 Thalia Sun collection. The collection features 10 sun styles inspired by world-renowned Latin pop star, Thalia. The new designs feature rich colorations in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each frame features fashion gradient sun lenses. The sunwear is available in several fashionable colors with unique patterns and added décor such as gems and scripted Thalia logos. These flirty shapes and oversized designs are perfect for women of all ages seeking a hint of fashion and flair in their sunwear. |
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Wiley X
Wiley X launches the Street Series which offer a clean, refined appearance combining classic characteristics with a modern flair. Each model features tumbled, then polished Grilamid frames that are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and shatter resistant. In keeping with the Wiley X philosophy of HVP, High Velocity Protection, they’ve added their selenite polycarbonate lenses to meet the stringent ANSI Z87.1-2003 impact and optical standards. |
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