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| New Lines and Launches...
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Vision-Ease Adds to SunRx Line
Vision-Ease Lens announced the addition of a D28 Bifocal to the SunRx Melanin polarized polycarbonate product line. This addition complements the current product line, which includes Single Vision, Outlook progressive, and Illumina progressive designs. The SunRx polarized polycarbonate lenses are available in a gray D28 Bifocal, although now flat-top wearers have the option of the additional protection of melanin with this product line extension. The SunRx Polarized Melanin Lenses provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and up to 50 percent more HEV protection than ordinary sun lenses. They also include Vision-Ease’s patented polarization process that virtually eliminates reflective glare. Made of premium polycarbonate material, SunRx Lenses are up to 20 percent thinner, 30 percent lighter, and up to 10 times more impact resistant than other sun lenses, according to Vision-Ease Lens.
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La LOOP
Goes
Sporty
La LOOP, the collection of fashionable necklaces created to keep your specs in place, has gone sporty with an activewear version of La LOOP, the Sportloop.
The Sportloop is a way to keep track of your shades while hiking, biking, sailing, surfing, or just cruising around town. With its patented 360-degree swivel hinges, the loop lays flat so that glasses remain secure inside with little chance of falling out. Made of washable nylon and plastic, the stretchy accessories don’t lose their color or elasticity.
Fans of the Sportloop include Terrell Owens of the
Dallas Cowboys, USC quarterback Matt Leinhart,
professional snowboarder Hannah Teter, and
professional racecar driver, Danica Patrick.
Hot pink Sportloops were also worn last month
by over 4,000 walkers during the 2006 Avon Walk
for Breast Cancer in New York City.
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| Skin
Is In
Jungle Fever
Cheetahs and zebras and snakes, oh my! Sunglasses
are getting down right primal. Animal prints
are everywhere. From leather wrapped temples to real
pony hair and snake skin accents, designers are
looking to free consumers’ inner
wild things by releasing these feral frames into
their natural habitats.
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Betsey Johnson Frisky in Red from the Cheetah grouping
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Robert Marc RM567 in Cream layered with Henna Snake |
Chrome Hearts Rehab-II with Cheetah print pony hair temples
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Michael Kors MKS506-249 with crocodile stamped leather temples
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Virtual Exploration and Vivid Imagery Awaits
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Costa Del Mar Launches Revamped Web Site |
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 ORMOND
BEACH, Fla.-- Costa Del Mar, a leader in
premium performance sunglasses for water
sports enthusiasts, recently launched a new
Web site designed to take visitors on an “off-the-beaten-path” exploration
experience. The
completely redeveloped site features vivid,
real-life imagery of Costa encounters and
boasts new interactive components that allow
visitors to share stories and tips with one
another online.
“At Costa Del Mar, it’s all about the adventure and exploration. Our new Web site lets visitors share their journeys, and allows us all to travel along as they see what’s out there,” said Chas MacDonald, president of Costa Del Mar.
Emulating the sunglass company’s tag line to “See What’s Out There,” the new Web site follows members of the Costa Del Mar pro team, like fisherman Jose Wejebe, on their outdoor journeys and adventures.  The site allows for easier navigation to help visitors locate information about Costa’s latest sunglass and gear styles, conservation efforts or upcoming events, more quickly.
Costa Del Mar also implemented the new “Costa Crazies” section, an online portal that lets visitors share their own journeys and experiences, or offer recommendations on favorite beaches, surfing areas and paddling spots. An interactive forum area allows people to swap stories and tips about the best places to explore designed to make the “Costa Crazies” section the go-to place for outdoor enthusiasts to connect online.
The site also features a new “Care and Repair” section, allowing Costa customers to submit sunglass repair requests online, making the process more efficient and streamlined.
For more information or to view the Web site, go to
www.costadelmar.com. |
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Location, Location, Location |
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Husband and Wife OD Team Mix Up Sunwear in the Center of the Action
WYCKOFF, N.J-- James Sinoway, OD, met wife Tracey,
also an OD, while both were pursuing their optometry degrees at Nova
Southeastern University. Now, over 10 years later they manage two
successful full service practices, Wyckoff Eyes, in Wyckoff, N.J.
and Madison Eyes, on Madison Avenue in New York City.
 Using
a retinal camera, the Sinoways address the topic of sun protection
right in the examination room, laying the groundwork for that second
pair sale once the patient hits the dispensary floor. It is a technique
that has worked well for them, as they say approximately 25 percent
to 30 percent of their patients purchase sunwear when they make their
optical purchases. That number is right on par with the amount of
sunwear, approximately 30 percent, they carry as part of their total
product mix. Though they do carry plano sunglasses, nearly a full
90 percent of their sunwear is Rxable, making it even easier for patients
to get prescription sunwear.
Given the affluent locations of the Sinoway’s two practices it isn’t surprising that the majority of their customers are wealthy professionals. “We have a lot of investment bankers and lawyers. Our customers are fashion conscious and want the best,” said Dr. James Sinoway. As such, they carry prestige brands like Bvlgari, Prada, Oliver Peoples, Persol and Robert Marc. “Exclusivity is very important to us, but it is easier to get in our N.J. location because we are really the only high-end optical retailer around. At the Madison Avenue location it is a bit more difficult because of the saturation of optical retailers in the city,” added Dr. Tracy Sinoway.
The Sinoway’s have also positioned their practice as a high-end eyewear destination. They rely very little on company provided POP and group their sunwear with the eyewear by designer in elegant wood and glass displays, keeping the feeling of the dispensary in line with a specialty boutique. And short of two annual trunk shows, they do no additional advertising or marketing for their stores. Dr. Tracey concluded, “We rely on word of mouth for new customers. We have very talented salespeople and great locations, [so] when customers are happy with the service and product they have received they tell others.”
Learn more at
www.wyckoffeyes.com.
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Continuing
Ed for ECPs
Silhouette Launches Blue Light Initiative
 GREEN
ISLAND, N.Y.-- Silhouette Optical announced
the launch of their Blue Light Initiative, designed
to educate optical professionals and their patients on recent
scientific research linking long-term exposure to blue light
to retinal damage associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
(AMD). The integrated program includes instructive seminars,
as well as educational materials for the practitioner and the
patient, providing information about the dangers associated
with cumulative blue light exposure from sunlight.
Blue light is the highest energy light of the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum which can be even more dangerous to the retina than ultraviolet in that they cause the production of damaging free radicals. Key to the message of this awareness campaign is blue light’s link to AMD, the leading cause of blindness. AMD affects over 13 million people worldwide, more than glaucoma and cataracts combined. That number is expected to triple over the next 25 years.
The Blue Light Initiative includes newly launched educational seminars as well as a turnkey merchandising kit aimed at patient education. The comprehensive seminars are multi-tiered to speak to all levels of the optical industry from doctor to practice manager to dispenser. With the seminars, practices are given a corresponding merchandising kit comprised of three documentary-style DVDs, including an informational video for patients, exam-room posters, lifestyle surveys, take-home brochures and an interactive counter card holder. These materials illustrate the changes in vision associated with AMD, an explanation of blue light, and the sunwear technologies designed to protect against excessive exposure to both ultraviolet and blue light. |
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Love-Love
Andy Roddick may lose a few tennis tournaments now and then but he sure makes a match point in his Lacoste style 12403 from Charmant. |
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Bond, James Bond
Daniel Craig, star of the new James Bond film, “Casino Royale,” has a license to thrill in the Persol style 2720 from Luxottica he wears for the movie in his first turn as the infamous 007. |
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Watch Out Brad
It looks like there may just be another man in Angelina Jolie’s life. Sources say she’s been seen around town with Rolf… Mykita’s Rolf frames in Goldmine that is. |
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CSEye
Life isn’t all crime scenes and forensic reports for actor William Peterson, star of the hit television drama “CSI.” Sometimes it’s just about looking superstar cool in his Warren sunglasses from Badgley Mischka Couture Eyewear by Sama. |
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Lindsay Fully Loaded
Lindsay Lohan is
a true paparazzi darling; pictures of her
fetch hefty amounts in all the gossip rags.
That’s why an oversized
pair of sunglasses is absolutely necessary
when she is trying to avoid the glare of
the spotlight. Here she wears BCBG Max
Azria’s Rouge
sunglasses from ClearVision. |
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That's Star Power
He may have a reputation for picking critically panned films but no one in their right mind would argue that Nicholas Cage isn’t a box office smash in his Ermenegildo Zegna style SZ3507 frames from Viva International. |
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New Lines and Launches...
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Boss Hugo Boss
Following the September launch of the ophthalmic collection, Safilo Group has introduced 14 female and 13 male styles for the Boss Hugo Boss sunglass collection. It features metal aviators, navigators, and shields, as well as rectangular and oversized plastic shapes, with five styles made of titanium. The collection is offered in a classic color palette that includes metallic shades, shiny brown and black and plastics in subdued hues like dark tortoise, havana blonde, cocoa, dark burgundy, chocolate, brown horn and nude, as well as white opal, violet and bordeaux. The women’s styles include the BHB logo engraved on the temples, as well as a Hugo Boss laser engraved logo plaque on temples of select styles. |
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ELLE
ELLE eyewear by Charmant is releasing 11 new sunglass styles. Some of the models are available with polarized lenses. Two styles of note are the EL18848, a large soft shaped acetate frame with metal detailing and Rx-able base 6 lenses in red and violet, and the EL18848P, with polarized sun lenses in black and demi amber.
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Mykita & Uslu
Airlines
Mykita and Uslu Airlines,
the hi-tech Berlin-based cosmetics
company known for their innovative
airbrush makeup system, have teamed
up to release two limited edition
aviator style sunglasses, the gold
plated Eve, named after Evenes in
Norway and the pearlized Bob, named
for Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
According to Philipp Haffmans of
Mykita, the collaboration was a natural
because “both brands are about
beautifying faces with colors, shapes
and surface textures.” |
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Nicole Miller
Inspired by the Nicole Miller “Collection” line of clothing, the new Nicole Miller Collection line of sunwear from Signature is an extension of the design and detail of the designer’s luxury segment of her apparel line. The initial collection includes four sun styles and uses color and embellishments in offbeat ways. Rich colors are embellished with golden hardware, copper logos, metal rivets and Swarovski crystals. The Collection distinguishes itself by incorporating intricate detail, unique materials, and distinctive logo treatments as well as high quality materials and hardware.
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Smith Optics
Smith adds three new styles to their collection with the Domino, an oversized, 6-base lens curve frame with unique frame graphics and treatments; the Chamber, an 8-base wrap-style designed for the large fit/large coverage consumer, and the Proof, a distinctive “wrap-style” lens curvature with a medium to large fit designed to be worn every day, all day long. All three feature Grilamid frame construction; Tapered Lens Technology, a precise thinning of the lens from the center to the edges that helps eliminate distortion; and the Smith Optics lifetime warranty.
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