Eyeglasses.com Blog

‘Vintage Eyeglasses’

Under an exclusive licensing agreement with the Ernest Hemingway brand, New York Eye launches Ernest Hemingway Eyewear. The initial release features up to 12 plastic frames in black and tortoise combinations, some with vertically demarcated crystal colors. Many of the styles have temple and front-hinge plaques and/or rivet accents. Vintage-inspired forms are crafted to appeal to style-minded 20-and-up men and women. The brand has been designed with a cool, retro look that individuals who identify with the multi-faceted aspects of this iconic celebrity’s legendary lifestyle will appreciate, New York Eye says. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology.) PHILOSOPHY: “Hemingway once said, ‘When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.’ So with requests coming in for more options in retro-inspired fashion, we listened and decided Ernest Hemingway Eyewear was a timely introduction to the optical industry—the ultimate accessory to accompany this season’s vintage styling,” says Arthur Jankolovits, New York Eye president. “Hemingway Eyewear reflects a beckoning back to true Americana and the author’s adventurous and romantic way of life. Hemingway was an American original with a signature style all his own.” INSIGHT New York Eye is the licensee of Joan Collins Eyewear, Woolrich Eyewear, Coleman Eyewear and Seventeen Eyewear, and also has such house collections as Valerie Spencer, Marc Hunter, Taka, Urban Edge, Reality and Jubilee. Hemingway and Ernest Hemingway are trademarks of Hemingway, Ltd. and used under exclusive license through Fashion Licensing of America, Inc.

Marchon Eyewear launches its Nike Vintage Vision Collection, the first collection available through Nike Sportswear (NSW), a new category for Nike Eyewear that specializes in bringing performance product icons from Nike’s past back to life for contemporary consumers. Taking its cues from both sport and cultural icons from the company’s early days in the 1970s, the six-piece sport sunglass line blends retro styling with modern, updated optics. All of the designs feature classic sport eyewear shapes, materials and colorations reminiscent of their original inspirations, whether they be skiing, jogging or motor sports or images of European skiers or such Hollywood icons as Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Subtle product detailing and lens treatments hint at modern performance updates. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology.) 
PHILOSOPHY:
“The Nike consumer understands the deeply routed history of the Nike brand. Our first NSW collection is rooted in the 1970s heritage and retains the authenticity from that vintage era,” says Andy Skitmore, senior vice president Nike Vision. “Individual style, bold colors, logos and details are all intricate parts of the debut collection. Nike has taken the bold and classic shapes from the time period when the Nike brand was first established and has reinterpreted them with a modern twist.”

MARKETING:
Merchandising materials include a six-place bleacher display, large cardboard window display and large and small countercards. Additional materials are still being finalized. Each style comes with a case reminiscent of a vintage bomber jacket.

PRICE POINT:
$$$$ to $$$$$. For additional information, contact Marchon Eyewear, (800) 645-1300; web site: www.marchon.com

INSIGHT
Though designed to align with Nike’s heritage product, the retro styling and contemporary optics make the Vintage Vision Collection eyewear relevant across Nike’s many consumer categories.   

Cancun Can: Thanks to Christie Walker, our world class sun-tracker, for proving that nowhere can sun trends tan and stand stronger than in Cancun. Yucatán too by following these simple sunwear trends: Aviators (with brown or reddish lenses), Shields with lens-surface logo dimples, severe rimless rectangles and Wayfarers (Link: Wayfarers), easily sunwear’s ultimate style statement. Next month? Cancun Too!