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Zeiss Extends Short-Corridor, Direct-Surface PAL
SAN DIEGO—Carl Zeiss Vision is extending its offering of direct-surface customized lenses by adding SOLA Compact Ultra HD in 1.67 clear and Transitions gray.
An advanced short-corridor progressive lens design, Compact Ultra features a 13mm minimum fitting height that allows progressive wearers to select from a wider variety of smaller, fashionable frames. This fitting height is made possible by an advanced corridor design that delivers “unsurpassed” reading area at all fitting heights, according to Zeiss.
The Compact Ultra design also offers “excellent binocularity, low skew distortion, and peak astigmatism that is lower than many leading short-corridor progressive lenses,” the company said.
Compact Ultra HD offers the benefits of semi-finished Compact Ultra, but uses direct surfacing and a sophisticated design approach to customize the lens surface for all aspects of the individual patient’s prescription.
Compact Ultra HD is available in 1.67 clear and Transitions gray lenses, and includes premium AR coating.
Carl Zeiss Vision lines of branded, customized lens designs include Zeiss Individual, SOLAOne HD, Compact Ultra HD and AO Easy HD. Carl Zeiss Vision has recently expanded Compact Ultra’s semi-finished material availability to include Transitions brown in hard resin and polycarbonate. Compact Ultra is also available semi-finished in clear and Transitions gray in 1.67, polycarbonate and hard resin.
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Clean Lenses With Hilco's "Anti-Smudge" Coating
PLAINVILLE, Mass.—Hilco has introduced their new office or home-applied Shield Lens Protection System for cleaner lenses longer.
Wearers of new “anti-smudge” oleophobic AR coated lenses enjoy a level of soil-resistance and cleaning ease those without don’t and they know that easier cleaning means a better wearing experience and less wear and tear on lenses. According to the company, Hilco’s new office or home-applied Shield Lens Protection System makes those same “anti-smudge” benefits available to virtually any lens wearer—affordably and quickly.
Hilco said, it is safe and effective on cast resin, polycarbonate, high index, Trivex and glass lenses and unlike factory-applied systems, Shield Lens Protector is applied in the office or home through a simple, initial 2-minute process. After the initial application, continued cleaning with a convenient pump spray and microfiber cloth assures years of wearing benefits.
Shield Lens Protector’s patented nanotechnology was invented at Princeton University and developed for ophthalmic lens use by San Diego-based Aculon technologies. It is safe and effective for any ophthalmic or sunglass lens. Application kits are available to eyecare professionals exclusively from Hilco for just $9.99. |
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Good Things Come in Small Packages
Don’t let anyone tell you any different, size does matter—at least in sunwear. And lately there has been a rash of teeny tiny sunglasses hitting the market to combat the oversized trend of the last couple of years. Not only has Ray Ban recently released a foldable version of its iconic Wayfarer style but a slew of other fashionable brands have released folding styles as well. These frames may be small in size but they are big on style.
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The John Varvatos Folding Transitions Reader, a compact reading glass featuring lenses that change from dark outside to light inside. |
The Nautica Passport combines classic aviator styling with compact convenience and functionality, all in one sleek little case. |
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The Persol 714 is as stylish as it is small. This foldable frame makes it even easier to feed your need for iconic Italian style. |
You can't get much more high fashion than the Dior Black Tie. Easily foldable it won’t ruin the cut of a suit with any unsightly pocket bulges. |
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High End Eyewear Authority
At Morgenthal Frederics Less is More, More or Less
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| Jeff Press director of product development and design and Luxury Optical Holdings. |
NEW YORK—In 1986, Richard Morgenthal and his wife Leslie purchased Frederics Opticians, a small practice on Madison Avenue that serviced New Yorkers for over 70 years. He updated and increased the business over the course of the next two years, as well as designing a few fashion forward styles that became the forefathers of a collection that eventually evolved into over 50 styles—the Morgenthal Frederics Collection.
In 2006, Las Vegas-based Luxury Optical Holdings acquired Morgenthal Frederics and today there are six Morgenthal Frederics boutiques located in New York City, Boston and Manhasset, NY. Now it is the job Jeff Press, as director of product development and design for Luxury Optical Holdings and therefore Morgenthal Frederics, to keep the essence of the Morgenthal Frederics retail environments true as the brand continues to grow and to further expand the high fashion yet whimsical nature of the Morgenthal Frederics collection, while keeping the distribution selective.
“We have a wide variety of clients, but most favor style to fashion, and understand that the pieces we make are of pristine quality and are beautiful classic designs,” said Press. “They are looking for a beautiful look, feel, and quality, so they know the piece will hold up like the investment it is, but still keep them ahead of the fashion curve.”
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| The Morgenthal Frederics storefront in SoHo, NYC. |
To that end, Morgenthal Frederics boutiques, in addition to their own collection, carries some of the most luxurious and exclusive eyewear lines out there, like Judith Leiber, Gold and Wood, Cartier, Chrome Hearts, Francis Klein, and Tag Heuer. “The average price point for a frame is around $600, but can begin at $295, and we sell about 80 percent of our frames with prescription and about 45 percent for outdoor use,” added Press.
But now that Morgenthal Frederics belongs to a company that claims 40 high end retail locations under various names across the country, not to mention the outside competitors who keep popping up, remaining unique and innovative has become a constant endeavor.
“We show less product and carry fewer brands, than our competitors concentrating our attention on exclusive product that can not be found elsewhere,” explained Press. “Highlighting our trademark titanium, zyl and buffalo horn pieces makes our assortment completely unique to any other store in the industry. We’ll also be releasing our brand new “Manhattan Collection” this November using beautiful accent features, like wood temples and sterling silver embellishments, to highlight our classic, cool new sun pieces. In addition, we have released our horn temple aviator series this fall using horn, wood and sterling in ways that no one else in the industry has, which continues to keep us distinctive and special.”
It would be simple to assume that such sumptuous and extravagant details could easily overwhelm the shopper and give the impression of wasteful excess or overindulgence, but Press and the Morgenthal Frederics staff are careful to keep the presentation of each frame clean and uncluttered. “Our philosophy is that the product is the star, so we show the product so it can really be seen and don’t crowd the displays. We highlight the details and trust our great professional staff to choose the right Morgenthal Frederics piece for your face,” concluded Press.
It is exactly this combination of expert service, educated staff and exclusive lines in a refined and relaxed setting that has earned Morgenthal Frederics top honors in New York Magazine’s Best of New York issue and the Zagat Guide’s #1 rating as "the Rolls Royce of opticians." |
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Ja-Ja-Ja-Juicy!
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Juicy Couture Brings the English Countryside to L.A.
NEW YORK—Oversized sunwear is still all the rage. Perhaps that was the idea behind the new Juicy Couture’s fall advertising campaign shot by photographer Tim Walker.
"Do bring your giant shades and wear them with a short dress. Go out on a limb!" was the inspiration from Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor of Juicy Couture for this fall ’07 campaign shot.
Featuring the Juicy Couture Emma sunglass, both large and small, the new ad image evokes English Manor meets old Beverly Hills glamour and appears in the September issue of Elle magazine, as well as being available on new POP materials for the collection from Sàfilo.
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Who's that behind those Foster Grants?
Ray Ban and Foster Grant Make WWD Top 100
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| An image from Ray Ban's NEVER HIDE campaign. |
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| A featured sunglass style that appeared in Foster Grant’s “Who could you be? Foster Grant.” television campaign. |
NEW YORK—WWD, Women's Wear Daily, released its Top 100 Brands list for 2007 and only two dedicated eyewear brands made the list.
Ranking in at number 50, Ray Ban, which has been gracing the faces of celebrities and regular people alike for 70 years, is the first to make an appearance. Its ranking this year may be attributed to the re-launch of their iconic Wayfarer sunglass, made to its original 1952 specs, and their worldwide consumer marketing campaign, NEVER HIDE, which among other things, featured customers posing in their Ray Ban sunglasses on 11 screens in Times Square.
Coming in at 85, Foster Grant made the list again for the first time since 2005. Foster Grant has had a long history that includes selling its first pair of sunglasses on the Atlantic City boardwalk in 1929. In 1965, Foster Grant launched a succession of advertising campaigns using high-profile celebrities to promote its sunglasses, most notably through the “Who’s That Behind Those Foster Grants?” campaign, which ranks in the Top 100 ad campaigns of all time. In 2007, Foster Grant launched a $7 million national TV advertising campaign with the tagline—“Who could you be? Foster Grant.”—which could be credited with returning the brand to the list.
Other significant brands that produce eyewear, though not exclusively, that made the list are Nike (6), Calvin Klein (11), Ralph Lauren (12), Gucci (34), Chanel (42) and Versace (96).
The WWD Top 100 Brands list is based on the results of online research conducted by WWD that tracks consumer awareness of over 800 brands in 12 categories, such as accessories, denim, designers, outerwear, sportswear, swimwear and several others.
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Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein Collection eyewear from
Marchon channels the elegance of simplicity for fall ‘07. Bold designs and elevated attention to detail combined with luxurious materials and precise styling are hallmarks of the collection. Highlights include the 979S, a minimalist modified square with a wood temple accent on zyl; the 967S, a wrap of sleek, sculpted Italian zyl in a strong modified pilot shape; the 973S, a glamorous, oversized modified round frame accentuated with the iconic circle leather motif embellishment from the Calvin Klein Collection handbags; and the 922S, a modern metal style with an 8-base decentered lens accompanied by the iconic circle leather motif embellishment. |
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Chloe
Cachet, a division of
L’Amy America, launched new styles in the
Chloe collection marked by femininity and elegance with an edgy, subtle spirit. The Nyssa, style CL2140, features a sophisticated shape and bold size with a dramatic oversized logo plaque riveted on each temple. The two models in the Filao grouping are distinguished by their temple design, which offer a glimpse of multilayered muted colors. Featuring two styles, the Chloe CL2123, a feminine, bold shape; while the Chloe CL2124, is a more retro inspired design and pays tribute to Chloe’s Spring/Summer 2007 refined bohemian aesthetic. Using metal and plastic, the two models in the Hakea grouping are inspired by Chloe accessories. Style CL2125 is a rounded, feminine shape, while model CL2126 has a slightly narrower shape and bolder bridge for a more youthful feel. |
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Chrome Hearts
Approaching the
Chrome Hearts iconology in a new way,
OSA International focused more on establishing style than following it for their new collection. Highlights include a retro inspired aviator where a solid sterling silver “plus” motif is floated between the bridge and top bar. Another is a laser cut titanium frame that features a removable leather base bridge insert adorned with a Fleur de Lys or “plus” motif and featuring either hand-stitched Italian leather with a sterling silver dagger adornment or laser engraved wood with repeating laser cut cross motifs and a black mother of pearl plus motif inlay on the temple tip. Also featured is a unisex style with a flexible, lightweight titanium front and leather temples featuring sterling silver motifs. |
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Jalapenos Sol
A&A Optical expands the Jalapenos Sol sunglass line for fall 2007. Targeted toward the high glamour fashionista, the Tangerine, reaches out to the 18 year old, as well as older women featuring an oversized rectangular shape and textural patterns in double laminated acetate. The Casados offers a perfect fit for small framed girls, 14 years old and older, who desire a big fashion look with details such as side embossed Swarovski crystals. The Chawa, with its unique color placement in two tone acetate gives girls 16 years old and older a sophisticated look. Lastly, Jalapenos Sol’s Peto, is a unisex model in an oversized aviator shape, with alloy fronts and acetate temples. All the latest Jalapenos SOL have Polarized UV400 lenses for UV protection and glare blocking comfort for the eyes. |
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Oliver Peoples
For the Resort/Spring '08
Oliver Peoples is offering a three style Limited Edition Sun Collection. The Paramour is a super thick, plastic sunglass with a heavy bevel, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s look. The Fauna is a very feminine, semi-rimless sunglass with a rounded beveled plastic top bar and a luxurious 80’s flare. Inspired by the movie Chinatown, the Hollis is a hand-sculpted frame featuring extra thick, heavy plastic and bold temples for a masculine feel. The 20 Year Oliver Peoples plaque is inset into the temple end. |
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Ralph
Luxottica released new styles into the
Ralph sunwear collection for fall. Designed for young women, the Ralph line features the latest fun looks and trends in vibrant colors as well as more classic designs. Infused with the spirit of Ralph Lauren, the collection is positioned to offer high styling at moderate price points. Composed of a variety of shapes and sizes as well as a wide array of colors and custom laminations, the Ralph collection is designed to appeal to a broad customer base, styles range from bold shields to sleek aviators and glamorous oversized styles. Highlights of the collection include the RA 5025, a glamorous wide, rounded shape featuring the cut out “Ralph” logo and a de-centered 8-base lens that reduces distortion. Also, the RA 4007, a bold and stylish shield with a flat metal design, super-strength polycarbonate lenses and a metal “Ralph” logo. |
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New Lines and Launches...
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Hello Gorgeous!
No wonder he has been voted People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive twice. Good looking, a talented actor, director and producer and a dedicated social activist, George Clooney is the textbook definition of a heartthrob. Here he is wearing the Persol PO2747 during the Venice Film Festival. Do I see Oscar nomination number three?
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Brad vs. George
George Clooney isn’t the only hot man to be nominated twice for People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.He’s tied with Brad Pitt, who here wears Ray Ban’s Aviator sunglass. I’d have to say it is a tough call between the two–a man involved with the sexiest woman on the planet or a confirmed bachelor? It’s a cruel, cruel world.
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Mac Attack
He may never have been named Sexiest Man Alive but comedian Bernie Mac could be giving his friends and Ocean’s 13 co-stars a run for their money on the style side in his Silhouette Minimal X rimless style 1960 sunglasses. Besides most women would choose a good sense of humor over looks any day.
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Becoming Fendi
With breakout rolls in movies like The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada and Becoming Jane, Anne Hathaway is making quite the impression in Hollywood. It’s no wonder when the stylish starlet’s good taste not only extends to her movie roles but her eyewear as well. Here she wears the Fendi FS411 from Marchon to this year’s Oscars.
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Queen for the Day
Paris Hilton may consider herself a princess but her she looks more like a queen in her Queenie sunglasses from Chrome Hearts. Maybe that little stint in the slammer has had a maturing effect on the party girl.
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Cannes Can
Jeremy Piven is a talented actor. He just won his second Emmy for his role as Ari Gold on the hit HBO series Entourage to prove it. Here he wears the Marc by Marc Jacobs MMJ004s2 aviator style sunglass from Sàfilo in the season finale of the show filmed during the Cannes Film Festival. |
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