‘Womens Sunglasses’

Scandinavian Eyewear reintroduces its Birka line to the U.S. Market. Included are 25 new styles for men and women, each offered in one size and two colors. The focus is on clean, wearable shapes accented with textured and patterned temples in contrasting shades and such design details as open outer eye rims. Frames are made of titanium, stainless steel and acetate. Colors range from rich shades of blacks and browns to reds and purples in matte and shiny finishes, often paired with silver or gold temples. Many styles are suitable for progressive lenses.

(Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology.)

PHILOSOPHY:

“The collection, which is VSP approved, is perfect for current economic conditions, catering to a younger, price-conscious consumer base,” says Nils Fredriksson, Scandinavian Eyewear sales manager North America.

INSIGHT

Scandinavian Eyewear is a Swedish company that has been making eyewear since 1948. With its classic Skaga brand, the company has made its mark on Scandinavian eyewear, offering simple, but elegant design solutions with an emphasis on quality, function and attention to detail.

Under a worldwide agreement between Altair and bebe stores, inc., a leading specialty store retailer, Altair Eyewear launches the 2010 bebe collection, consisting of 16 ophthalmic frames and 10 sunglasses. A lifestyle brand, bebe projects a young, sexy, playful image with its hip, sophisticated and sensual apparel and accessories. Embodying the signature look of the brand, bebe eyewear is centered around four categories: Glamour, which features animal prints, bold stones, lace, ribbons and sparkles; Rocker with a focus on studs, chains, grommets and zippers; Lover, characterized by hearts and stones; and Logo, emphasizing various logo treatments. Although the collection is targeted primarily toward younger women, some styles can be equipped with progressive lenses for women of any age with a bebe mindset. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology.) PHILOSOPHY: “This collection reflects the bebe woman’s prerogative to be assertive, stylish and romantically playful,” says Steve Wright, president of Altair Eyewear. “Appealing to her vibrant nature, our designers have used bold embellishments, rich materials and alluring colors to entice her senses. We truly have something for every woman.” INSIGHT Bebe Stores, Inc. designs, develops and produces a distinctive line of contemporary women’s apparel and accessories that it markets under the bebe, BEBE SPORT, bbsp, 2b bebe and PH8 brand names.  Bebe currently operates 292 stores in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada and an additional 52 stores internationally.�

Precision San Diego Launches Web Presence
During a presentation at the San Diego Optometric Society Mark Becker, president and CEO of Precision San Diego, launched the laboratory’s new website, www.popsandiego.com.

“We wanted our site to do several things, going beyond providing important information to our customers,” said Becker. “We also intend the site to draw browser interest and provide a way to steer shoppers to our independent eye care professionals.” To do this, the Precision site attracts consumer readers not only by offering information on eyecare products, but also by highlighting key San Diego attractions. Shoppers can then find eye care practitioners and optical shops listed by their area. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Andrew Karp.)

Precision worked with a local graphic design company, Stegen Designs, to develop the site, using eye catching graphics and local photography. “More people are turning to the Internet for shopping and research and while content is important, the visuals that accompany it need to be impactful to best convey the message quickly and keep the viewer interested,” points out Michael Stegen. “The Precision site hits a fine balance of material and imagery.”

“Eye care professionals are rapidly learning the importance of utilizing new on-line marketing formats,” Becker concludes, “We felt that anything we could do to help them in their efforts would benefit us all.”

Guitar Aficionado Picks Transitions SolFx
Guitar Aficionado magazine’s spring issue featured Transitions Optical’s line of Transitions SolFx sunwear. Drivewear Transitions SolFx sunwear was highlighted in a “Driving Accessories” section of the magazine. To celebrate the issue, the magazine held a launch party May 1 at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, California where samples of Transitions SolFx adaptive sun lenses in various designer frames were showcased, and the new 2011 Jaguar XJ was unveiled.

“Guitar Aficionado magazine and this event were a perfect vehicle to showcase the versatility of Transitions eyewear and lens products,” said Grady Lenski, global director, Transitions sunwear. “Whether you’re driving, playing golf or cycling, riding a motorcycle, or just simply enjoying some time outside, Transitions SolFx sun lenses will enhance visual performance as the light changes.”

During the launch event, executives from the entertainment, music and automotive industries tried on different combinations of frames and Transitions SolFx lenses to discover the performance lenses that fit their lifestyle and personal style. Servers and bartenders also modeled various styles of Transitions SolFx sunwear throughout the night. Guests were offered SolFx swag (pictured above) and other goodies.    

TWO MAJOR EYEWEAR MAGAZINES TO SHARE FUTURE� » As of now, 20/20 Europe, the most widespread, specialized eyewear magazine in Europe for the last 20 years, and VEDERE International, founded in 1953 and maintaining a pan-European distribution since 1971, will be published as a single magazine, together with L+T European Lenses + Technology in an international, multilingual edition. The new editorial format resulting from this partnership is structured in three distinctive sections. 20/20 Europe in co-edition with VEDERE International will be distributed in 19 European countries and will participate in the major international eyewear shows in Europe and other continents. Both editorial units will stay active—in London under the supervision of Clodagh Norton (Boyd Norton Associates) for 20/20 Europe, and in Milan, Edizioni Ariminum srl for VEDERE International. Sales management for France, Italy, United Kingdom and Spain is Studio Zanasi s.a.s. Isabella Morpurgo, publisher of VEDERE International, is heading the North and East European markets (Austria, Germany, Denmark, Benelux, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Poland and East Europe). MARCHON CREATES 3D DIVISION AND SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH REALD� » Marchon Eyewear establishes Marchon 3D, a new business division. Additionally, Marchon and RealD Inc., a leading provider of 3D technology for cinema, consumer electronics and professional applications, have signed a global licensing agreement to use the RealD brand for sales of Marchon 3D eyewear. Marchon 3D will distribute its RealD-compatible 3D glasses in cinemas, retail locations, e-commerce sites and through electronic equipment manufacturers worldwide. Marchon Eyewear will market designer 3D eyewear and prescription 3D lenses to eyecare professionals. Marchon 3D eyewear features a range of circular, polarized 3D lens technologies, including four-base, six-base and eventually eight-base curves. The lenses will block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and can be used as conventional sunglasses. The initial eyewear will be plano, but Rx lenses are anticipated. MODO LAUNCHES US OPEN TENNIS SUNGLASSES� » Modo Eyewear and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) introduce licensed US Open Sunglasses for the tournament, taking place August 30 to September 12, 2010. The style is unisex and comes in classic “US Open blue.” Lenses are AR-coated High Chromatic Definition, providing natural color contrast. PIXEL OPTICS AND ASPEX EYEWEAR COMPLETE NORTH AMERICAN LICENSE FOR ELECTRONIC EYEGLASS FRAMES� » Pixel Optics and Aspex Eyewear Group have successfully completed their license negotiations and have executed agreements. Under the terms of the license, Aspex becomes exclusive licensee for emPower! electronic eyeglass frames for North America and will manufacture, distribute and sell emPower! electronic eyeglass frames capable of housing Pixel’s electronic focusing eyeglass lenses.� emPower! is the name of Pixel’s electronic focusing eyewear, which uses electro-optics to change focus without moving parts as fast as the blink of an eye. CHRISTIAN ROTH AND CHARMANT END LICENSING PARTNERSHIP� » Luxury eyewear brand Christian Roth announced its licensing partnership with Japan-based Charmant Inc. will terminate at the end of 2010. Since 1998 Charmant Group has produced and distributed Christian Roth sun and ophthalmic frames to a select group of international retailers. Beginning in 2011 Roth designers and co-founders Christian Roth and Eric Domege will regain control of all Christian Roth trademarks. Since its launch in 1984, Christian Roth has been a pioneer in high-fashion titanium and handmade acetate frames and sunglasses. VILLA EYEWEAR TO DISTRIBUTE JOHN RICHMOND� » Under a licensing agreement with Allison, Villa Eyewear has the exclusive distribution rights in the U.S. for John Richmond Eyewear and Sunwear (pictured). The 2010 collection consists of 12 ophthalmic frames and nine sunglasses heavily influenced by rock ’n’ roll and street culture. PRO GOLFER GREG NORMAN AND ASPEX TO LAUNCH GREG NORMAN EYEWEAR� » Aspex Eyewear Group has signed a licensing agreement with professional golfer and entrepreneur Greg Norman, through his company, Great White Shark Enterprises, to design, manufacture and distribute internationally a line of Greg Norman eyewear. The eyewear is slated to debut in the first quarter of 2011 with ophthalmic, optical and non-optical sunglass collections distributed through independent eyewear professionals.

The fiercely fashionable women of Sex and the City have adopted a new vice… Jee Vice. The sunglasses are featured in the newest installment of the incredibly popular TV and film franchise “Sex and the City 2,” which opened last month. 

Along with a starring role in the movie, Jee Vice partnered with Mercedes-Benz in a “Sex and the City” themed sweepstake on Facebook reaching the U.S. and European markets. Jee Vice’s Heated frame, along with other items featured in the film, were offered as exclusive prizes for the sweepstakes.    (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Jackie Micucci.)
 

(Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By James J. Spina.) Bear Hug: We keep running (sunning?) back to Big Bear to catch the rays AND the ray bans. There’s sport-wrap action aplenty but also some dramatic logo worshiping (we prefer it slightly quieter of late), aviator-as-ever and the gradual but powerful influx of the P3 prep look especially on the GenEYE representative. As for Santa: That elongated rec needs to retire come the holidays. Stick a “round” on him.  

Sunglass Hut opened two flagship stores in New York and London in April. These retail locations have been strategically placed in tourist-centric cities that embrace a cutting-edge fashion sense. The flagship stores provide “a fun, innovative experience that celebrates a love of fashion and shopping” and aim to increase Sunglass Hut’s consumer presence. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Melissa Arkin.)

The Fifth Avenue New York store was host to a star-studded party in celebration of its opening. Celebrities such as Macaulay Culkin and Emily Mortimer showed up to partake in the festivities. Guest celebrity DJs such as Fab Moretti and Binki Shapiro (both from the band Little Joy) and Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley fame) provided the sound system for the evening.

With the unveiling of their brand new flagship stores comes another fresh beginning for Sunglass Hut. For the first time, the sunglass retailer is pairing up with a celebrity for style advice. Rachel Bilson (pictured), most notably of “The O.C.” fame, (and also in attendance at the event) has been appointed style director for Sunglass Hut. She will work closely with the teams at Sunglass Hut, using her style savvy to deliver the latest eyewear trends. Bilson will connect with Sunglass Hut’s consumers by making in-store appearances, writing a trend blog on the company’s web site, conducting interviews with designers and style influencers and hosting an ongoing question and answer segment online, where consumers can ask about their eyewear needs.

“When we envisioned the style director position and looked at Rachel’s personal style and love of sunglasses, it was a very obvious gut feeling that she was the perfect person to take on this new role,” says Fabio d’Angelantonio, CEO of Sunglass Hut. “Rachel has a clear vision of how to integrate this job on all levels from selecting the newest trends, sharing the information online and with consumers and really showing how sunglasses are a key accessory.”  

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By Gloria Nicola Photographed by Stephen Sullivan Diane von Furstenberg, perhaps, best describes herself in words she used last fall at the 2009 ACE Awards when she presented the Fashion Icon Award to another legend, Barbie. In her speech, von Furstenberg says of the famous doll. “What do you need to be a fashion icon? You need legs, good legs. You need not to age or at least don’t show it. You need to love fashion. You need to be multi-faceted. Barbie always looks good. She’s had 108 careers—surgeon, astronaut, even a president. She loves fashion. She has worked with 120 fashion designers. She’s also a partner of the CFDA. She’s very generous. When she has a good year, she contributes to the CFDA and the scholarship fund. She’s a philanthropist. She’s hot. She loves every country… She’s pretty wonderful.” Born in Belgium, von Furstenberg arrived in New York in 1972 with a suitcase full of wrap dresses. Four years later she needed a bigger suitcase. In 1976, five million wraps were sold—her name becoming synonymous with confidence and female freedom. The prior year, she created a fragrance and licensed her name to a full range of products, including eyewear, a license she had with Optique Du Monde from 1975 to 1993. Over the next decade, she pioneered fashion and business trends, built and sold a cosmetics company, launched a home collection and received the New York Mayor’s Liberty Medal for Citizens of the World Who Have Achieved the American Dream. After taking a hiatus from fashion, she reemerged on the New York scene in 1997 with the re-launch of that iconic dress. A new generation of women readily embraced her designs. The DVF collection has since evolved into a full line of ready-to-wear, including sportswear, eveningwear, dresses and accessories with 32 freestanding Diane von Furstenberg boutiques and distribution in more than 71 countries. Although the designer is constantly refining and redefining the DVF brand, she continues to support her original mantra: “To feel like a woman, wear a dress.” Throughout the decades, von Furstenberg has always understood the enormous value of an eyewear license. She was one of the first designers/celebrities to have a branded eyewear collection and is now launching a collection of frames and sunglasses with Marchon Eyewear. “Eyewear is great because it functions as an accessory and a necessity—it’s both practical and appealing,” she notes. “And it touches so many generations, making it perfect for my brand because the wrap dress also crosses so many generations.” She is especially enamored with her new eyewear collection. “I think they are fabulous,” she emphasizes. “I love this one and this one and this one,” she says as she picks up first one style, then another and another. “They are great. I love them all. They are fabulous. I need a lot of glasses,” she emphasizes. Von Furstenberg says she has been wearing sunglasses since she was 17. “I never go out on the street without the protection of sunglasses, plus they are so glamorous. But I’ve only been wearing prescription eyewear for 10 or 15 years. And that is a very different experience. Prescription glasses are like makeup. Women need to experiment with them to see what works best for various looks and occasions.” With glasses, as with all of her fashions, the designer wants them to be comfortable, functional, flattering and have a touch of humor. For example, in the eyewear collection, the wrap dress is interpreted with metal and plastic wrapped around the temples and the signature DVF lips are rendered in pink Swarovski crystals on a black sunglass. “Color is another element I try to put into all my products because it provides a sense of confidence,” von Furstenberg says. “And color translates well into eyewear.” Such hues as teal, lavender, plum and lots of red, favorite colors of von Furstenberg are predominant in the eyewear collection. She also has another expectation for her eyewear, just like she does for all her products. “I want Diane von Furstenberg glasses to become your best friend.” Since the designer first began working with eyewear in the ’70s, there have been many positive changes, she says. “The choice of materials has greatly improved and all the advancements in technology allow us to apply many more design elements than we could in the past.” Von Furstenberg is also very happy with her partnership with Marchon. “The minute I met Al Berg [president and CEO of Marchon Eyewear] and his team I loved them. We got to know and respect each other. It’s been great.” The feeling is mutual. Says Berg: “Diane’s ability to make fashion effortless, free and symbolic for the wearer is coveted in the fashion industry. It is a great honor to bring this relevant global brand into our ever-expanding portfolio.” Creating that effortless style is very important to von Furstenberg. “It creates an ease and a sense of confidence. There’s nothing more beautiful or sexier than a woman who is confident. My motto: Be yourself.” And that’s perhaps why her fashions have appealed to so many generations. “The older I get the younger my customers become,” she says. “I’m always pleased, but surprised by that. It’s fun. It keeps me young and makes me relevant.” When asked why she thinks she is an icon to women of all ages, she responds: “Maybe it’s because I have become the woman I always wanted to become while helping women become the women they want to be. Women inspire me. It has always been my mission to empower women… because I wanted to be an empowered woman and I became one. Now I want to empower every woman. I do it through my clothes. Through my works. Through money. Through everything,” she says. “I respect women and I’m very respectful of their needs. I like to make women feel better. I like them to smile.” Regarding how the fashion business has changed since she first arrived, von Furstenberg notes it’s more accessible. “Fashion is less dictatorial. Women are more selective and individualistic about what they pick now.” Her advice to designers starting out: “You need to be clear on what you are doing and it needs to have a reason for being. Then go for it.” If she were to change careers, she says she would like to be a film director. Then she says, “You know, I’ve just taken up photography. I’m doing the photography for my ad campaigns.” And she has taken up acting. In an ad for her eyewear, she drives a cab, picking up a passenger, who happens to be her daughter-in-law. She has also been and continues to be actively involved in saving New York’s High Line and supporting the development of the newly opened public park on the site of a former elevated freight railway. And that’s the (w)rap on DVF. As she said about that other icon, Barbie, Diane von Furstenberg is also “pretty wonderful.” -Article reprinted from 20/20 Magazine with permission from Jobson Pubishing.

Enduring Look» Carrera Endurance shades from Sàfilo as seen in Rihanna’s (1) video “Rude Boy”… Speedster» The U.S.’s most decorated winter Olympian, short track speed skater Apolo Ohno (2) sports Nike Impel EV0480 from Marchon… S in DVF» One of the stars of the hot CW drama “Gossip Girl,” Blake Lively (3), who plays Serena van der Woodsen, in Diane von Furstenberg DVF518S from Marchon… Hurts So Good» Actor Jeremy Renner (4) in Calvin Klein 7739, from Marchon. Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film “The Hurt Locker,” which won the Oscar for Best Picture… Spotted» “Gossip Girl” hotty Penn Badgley (5) wears JOE Joseph Abboud JOE 512 from Altair… Fast Women» Wearing styles from Kaenon Polarized are skier Julia Mancuso (6), who took home two silver medals from the Vancouver Winter Olympics, in Pino and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick (7) in Burnet… Starting a Revolution» Wearing sunwear from Revolution Eyewear are: Kara DiGuardio (8) of “American Idol” in Ed Hardy EHS022; reality TV star Kim Kardashian (9) in Ed Hardy EHS002; and former heavy weight boxing champ Mike Tyson (10) in Ed Hardy EHS011… Twilight Time» Actress Anna Kendrick (11), best known for her role in “Twilight” and most recently seen in the George Clooney film “Up in the Air,” wears Diane von Furstenberg DVF518S from Marchon… Golden Girl» Sandra Bullock (12), who took home the Academy Award for Best Leading Actress last month for her role in “The Blind Side, in Diane von Furstenberg DVF5001 from Marchon… Keeps Ticking» Pop star Ke$ha (13), whose number-one single “Tik Tok” broke the record for highest weekly plays, in Diane von Furstenberg DVF101S from Marchon… Class Act» Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (14), most recently seen in Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island,” wears Modo Federico sunglasses.  � � -Article reprinted from 20/20 Magazine with permission from Jobson Pubishing.