Eyeglasses.com Blog

‘In Fashion’

Do you subscribe to any eyeglasses frames publications? If so, you may want to read the following. Two well regarded eyewear publications merged this past week. We were surprised to hear about this for a number of reasons. First, one market that has grown in recent years is the eyewear publications industry. A large reason for this is because of the growth of the general eyewear industry. The number of round eyeglasses sold last year grew tremendously. This is a large reason why we were surprised to hear about the merger. It seems like many traditional publishers are having more difficulty as content continues to move onto the internet. More and more eyewear websites are being created every day. We were not sure whether this occurred because the magazines were having financial difficulties. We have yet to hear from either of the companies. Two popular round eyeglasses publications that merged were European Eyewear, which is a popular eyewear brand based in France, and VEDERE International, which was started over half a century ago. We had thought both of companies were doing well. Certainly we had not seen any warning signs. Fans of both designer eyeglasses magazines should not be concerned about the brands decreasing their resources. Both editorial units will stay active. Sales management of designer eyeglasses will be headquartered in countries around the European Union. The company has built a great reputation for itself. We are excited to see what becomes of both of these eyewear publications, and we will keep you updated with how they do.

The most fashionable women can easily get stuck in a style routine, as 28-year-old youth coordinator Sharon Moskovitz can attest. When dressing for the occasion, Sharon always looks stylish and well-put together before stepping out into the world. But when it comes to her eyesight, prescription eyewear was never a staple in her fashion wardrobe. Sharon used them as a backup to contact lenses—something to wear in the comfort of home or at night to rest her eyes from the irritation of wearing contact lenses. And with a high myopic prescription since she was a child, she was insecure about the appearance of the thick lenses on her glasses. While vigilant about getting yearly vision screenings and updating her contact lenses, Sharon never thinks twice about getting a new pair of Rx eyeglasses. When she arrived for her eye exam this year, the eyewear specialists at Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear in Miami, Fla., took on the mission to convince her to use eyewear as an expression of her personal style. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Christine Yeh) Confident and outgoing, Sharon’s personality is enhanced by her sophisticated style. But she has yet to achieve the same level of confidence when wearing glasses; making the switch from contact lenses to frames was a big step for her. To ease Sharon comfortably into fashion eyewear, Edward Beiner and his team chose a style that embraced her personality and was versatile for multiple occasions. “With Sharon’s beautiful natural features and fair skin, she could definitely look great in a bolder frame, but it was more important for us that she was comfortable,” says Beiner, who selected the WACKS style by Oliver Peoples. Inspired by the masculine styles popular in the ’50s, this women’s frame combines classic curves with a slight cateye shape for a hint of glamour, creating a clean and elegant look. Though she loved the style, Sharon still needed to be convinced. To quell her insecurity about thick lenses, the eyewear specialists recommended their Signature High Definition lenses. This digitally manufactured, high-index lens improves the lens’ cosmetic appearance, providing an attractive look and a clearer field of vision. Looking great is important but comfort ranks high too. The patient eyewear experience is more than finding a frame that fits; the lenses are a crucial part of the total eyewear package. “We encourage our eyewear specialists to help customers find a comfortable balance between fashion and function,” says Beiner. By staying attuned to their patients’ needs, Beiner and his team have struck the perfect harmony between fashion and function.

Cazal Eyewear launches Cazal Legends, a nod to the storied past of this iconic collection. The new collection is comprised of Cazal styles from the past: 607, 623, 856, 901, 902, 904 and 951; releases for the 616 and 905 are planned for later this year. Each style is authentic, following the exact design and construction specifications and original colors and materials used more than 25 years ago. Made in Passau, Germany, these styles have been produced in limited editions. By virtue of their lavish and bold, urbane designs, the original Cazals quickly became a sensation throughout the fashion world and were seen on the faces of such celebrities as Run DMC, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Stevie Wonder and mentioned in Michael Jackson’s “Bad” video. Today Cazal styles have been sought out and worn by a new generation of celebrities including Jay Z, Usher, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Fergie, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Spike Lee and many more. Photographed by Ken Lee/Black Box Studios “To have something that is true vintage you must have something that was a true original,” explains Cazal creator Cari Zalloni. Roger Shyer, ESE president, adds, “These Cazal Legends remain an enormous influence on design and flair throughout our industry. With such a huge groundswell in worldwide demand for them we are happy to be a part of Cazal Fever once again.” INSIGHT First created in 1975 by designer Cari Zalloni, Cazal originally was embraced by inner-city youths who quickly deemed the bold, gold-trimmed zyl designs status eyewear.

COOPERVISION DEBUTS REDESIGNED U.S. WEBSITE Contact lens manufacturer CooperVision unveiled a new, redesigned U.S. website, CooperVision.com that provides a range of resources for both eyecare practitioners (ECPs) and contact lens wearers. “This is yet another step in CooperVision’s digital strategy leveraging technology to strengthen our partnership and communications with ECPs helping them solve challenging business problems,” says James Gardner, vice president of marketing, Americas. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Andrew Karp.) Based on research with ECPs, the new CooperVision.com creates a more personalized experience for ECPs after they log in. The site showcases tools for marketing and managing their practice including personalized information featuring topCooperVision products, trial lenses available, and the status of their product banks; easy access to product information, fitting tips and tools; and marketing support. Practice locations are automatically entered into a new ECP locator tool for patients. Wearers will also benefit from the enhanced site, which now offers a Lens Finder that provides a lens recommendation based on the wearer’s lifestyle which they can bring to their ECP to discuss the right contact lens for them. The website features a number of rebates, free trial offers and an enhanced ECP locator to help wearers find an eyecare practitioner in their area. REVO HOSTS ‘PLASTIKI’ BOOK SIGNING EVENT Revo Sunglasses brought renowned British environmentalist David de Rothschild to Paragon Sports in New York City on Earth Day to sign copies of his book, “Plastiki: Across the Pacific on Plastic, an Adventure to Save our Oceans.” The book chronicled the Plastiki Expedition in 2010, which was headed by de Rothschild and his team, and which Revo helped sponsor. The Plastiki was a boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles, sailing from San Francisco to Sydney on a mission to showcase the state of harmful waste degrading the health of our oceans and planet. VISION-EASE LENS LAUNCHES SPANISH LANGUAGE WEBSITE Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) has launched a Spanish language website,esp.vision-ease.com. The site provides complete Vision-Ease Lens website content for Spanish-speaking customers and consumers. “Building a site in Spanish is a key step in extending our excellent customer service specifically to our international customers,” says Nick LaManna, international associate marketing manager, Vision-Ease Lens. “The site eliminates the need for individuals to translate information on a case-by-case basis, making it easier to process orders and exchange information with our customers.” Geared toward VEL customers in Latin America, the site also offers content for Spanish-speaking consumers and offers the same marketing material ordering capabilities as the existing corporate site in English.

SEIKO DISTRIBUTING MINIMA Seiko Optical Products of America has signed a licensing agreement with Linas, France-based Minima to be the exclusive distributor for Minima eyewear in the United States. Minima is a specialist in beta titanium rimless frames. The initial collection is composed of six adult styles and one junior frame, each with multiple colors. More than 70 eye shapes are available. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Gloria Nicola.) DE RIGO SIGNS WITH CAROLINA HERRERA De Rigo Vision S.p.A and Carolina Herrera, a worldwide leader in the luxury fashion industry, have signed a licensing agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of Carolina Herrera New York and CH Carolina Herrera branded eyewear and sunglass collections. MARCHON 3D AND YOUNGER COLLABORATE Marchon3D has announced its joint collaboration with Younger Optics to develop and offer prescription 3D lenses. Complementing Marchon3D’s patented M3D lens technology, Younger will utilize proprietary technology to manufacture semi-finished prescription circular polarized 3D lens blanks for both single vision and progressive lens wearers. REACT LLC IN AGREEMENT WITH EYEKING LLC React LLC has signed its first technology license with Eyeking LLC, licensee of Under Armour Performance Eyewear. Eyeking will market and sell sunglasses made with patented Switch magnetic interchange lens technology in the U.S. and Canada. The first Under Armour magnetic interchange sunglass styles will be available for the 2012 season in general sport, sport specialty, golf, team sport and Under Armour retail outlets. OCEAN OPTICAL’S EXCLUSIVE WITH JOHN LENNON EYEWEAR Victory Optical Collection has appointed Leesburg, Fla.-based Ocean Optical as the exclusive U.S. distributor for the John Lennon Eyewear Collection. BAUSCH + LOMB TO SELL KERASOFT CONTACT LENSES Bausch + Lomb announces a global licensing agreement with U.K.-based UltraVision CLPL to market and sell its new KeraSoft soft contact lenses. KerasSoft’s patented technology allows for custom-made contact lenses for irregular corneas and keratoconus.

Nobody looks sharper wearing a great pair of frames than a rock star. As die-hard music fans, no one worships this religion more than the staff at 20/20. We (especially a certain managing editor) couldn’t have been more excited when we heard that musician Bryan Adams is the new face of TITANflex eyewear from Tura. Internationally acclaimed for his chart-topping hits, ambitious touring and dedication to philanthropy, Adams’ charisma and gentleman appeal is the perfect testament to TITANflex’s innovative eyewear designs for fashion-conscious men. Adams will be featured in TITANflex’s 2011 ad campaign as well as point-of-purchase materials including countercards, posters, banners and display units. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Christine Yeh.) It’s not just his music and rugged good looks in eyewear that we’re fans of. From performing for huge audiences to receiving a multitude of awards for his music, Adams is no stranger to the spotlight—but it’s his work behind the camera that has also created a recent buzz. Check out his impressive résumé of celebrity subjects for fashion and lifestyle publications including Zoo Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and British Vogue at BryanAdamsPhotography.com, as well as “American Women,” a collaboration with Calvin Klein featuring influential personalities including Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford and Katie Couric. Hey Bryan… How about lending us your photography eye? We’d love your face behind (and in front of) a 20/20 photo shoot, frame by frame.

ALOHA HA: Ok. THIS is WAR. If men continue wearing teensy-weensy sport sunshades 20/20 is going to continue tracking them down, exposing this sun-crime. And please, on a positive note fashionable women in a variety of aviators and glam-frames also spied in this month’s journey to Hawaii. Final word: Facial hair need not (and should not) match any eyewear accoutrement. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By James J. Spina.)

Silhouette launches its Crystal Collection for women. Handcrafted in Austria with Austrian crystals, the collection consists of four ophthalmic frames and three sun styles. The frames are made of high-tech titanium and SPX and feature Silhouette’s rimless, hingeless and screwless aesthetic. Each model is one of a kind. The ophthalmic frames showcase four looks that will suit tastes ranging from conservative to extravagant. Gem Stone is characterized by a xilion square crystal floating inside the temples. Light Attraction highlights the curves of the temple design with strategically placed crystals for a modern look. Sparkling Icon is a sophisticated design with one subtle, but glimmering crystal on each temple complemented by a shiny exterior finish and a satin interior finish. Limelight is accented with 300 handset pave crystals. The sunglass collection will be previewed in an upcoming 20/20. PHILOSOPHY: “The Crystal Collection is the fusion of lightness and design with crystals presented in a refined, unparalleled style defined by Silhouette through melding the sophistication of sparkle with rimless aesthetics,” says Kristen McLaughlin, Silhouette marketing director. INSIGHT The Crystal Collection presents ECPs with an opportunity to engage their clientele with unique, but practical luxury, which paired with exceptional service, creates the perfect buying experience that can distinguish their business from their competitors. For consumers, the Crystal Collection can be that sparkling “something special” that is worn every day, much like diamond stud earrings.

As with the issue in hand, you can see it in sports and on the streets and in the ever-so-stylish fashion magazines but NOWHERE does eyewear have the iconic status it possesses in music. Take these recent issues of Rolling Stone and Q. Avowed eyewear icon Elton John is seriously spec’ed in Rapp Opticals from l.a. Eyeworks while former Oasis front man Liam Gallagher decides to face the world with his new group, Beady Eye through the shaded reflection of a pair of cateye suns from Tom Ford. Elton’s got that HOT flat bridge thing going and Liam might be the first in a renewed wave of male rockers pushing decidedly lady-like frames, a trend started way back when by Rolling Stone Keith Richards and subsequently New York Doll Johnny Thunders.

Sàfilo Group Launches Tommy Hilfiger eyewear, which consists of a sunglass collection (featured here) and an ophthalmic collection to be previewed in an upcoming 20/20. The new line embodies the neo-preppiness of the Tommy Hilfiger brand, a global symbol of the all-American spirit. The sunglass line consists of 12 masculine/unisex styles and three feminine designs. Nine styles are plastic, one is metal and five are plastic/metal combinations. The releases include a variety of aviators, vintage-inspired silhouettes, oversized designs, modern looks, a shield and a smaller sporty style. Colors range from such classic hues as black and havana to playful and iconic shades of red, pink, white and blue. PHILOSOPHY: “The Tommy Hilfiger sunglass collection offers both a modern edge and vintage appeal. The brand is distinguished by its American spirit, which is embodied in this classic collection of sophisticated designs with touches of Tommy Hilfiger’s signature red, white and blue,” says Ross Brownlee, COO of Sàfilo Americas. “The timing for the sunwear launch couldn’t be more relevant, considering the incredible renaissance the brand is currently experiencing.” INSIGHT A premium lifestyle brand, the Tommy Hilfiger Group focuses on designing and marketing high-quality menswear, womenswear, children’s apparel and denim collections, and through licensees offers accessories, fragrances and home furnishings. Product is available worldwide through an extensive network of Tommy Hilfiger retail stores, leading specialty and department stores and other select retailers and retail channels. The famous designer’s namesake casual wear is worn by a multitude of fans, including teens and rap, rock and sports stars.