This report is a joint editorial initiative of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine, sponsored by Lafont, Match Eyewear, Morel, OGI, ProDesign, Viva International, Wescan and Zig Eyewear.


While more hopeful headlines are returning to the economic forecasts for the new year, optical retailers still need to be able to offer eyewear styles that provide glamour as well as realistically available prices. This year’s accessible luxury offerings include high-quality materials and striking, fashion-forward looks, with nods to individuality, personality and tradition. Regardless of price point, people still want to find a way to make a style statement and project their character through their eyewear.

 
LAFONT
La Parisienne

Very Sophisticated, Very Trendy, Very Lafont
 

 The Hampton 188 mixes colors and patterns into a traditional black plastic sunglass style. The Helene 762 is a stainless steel frame that features a purple front and red temples, highlighted with a laser-cut rattan pattern.
Lafont is launching its Spring/Summer 2012 Optical and Sunglass collection, “La Parisienne,” which is inspired by the sophisticated, independent and chic Parisian woman’s mindset. Thomas Lafont has designed a collection that mixes new acetate colors with a bright and contrasted lining that are “very Lafont,” and uses sophisticated and subtle outside colors that are easy to wear.

This Spring/Summer 2012 collection also kicks off the new Lafont for men’s product concept—the Carbon line. Lafont is launching three new products that combine acetate or titanium with exclusive carbon temples. The carbon color is matched with the front color, for a truly masculine, high-tech concept.

This Lafont collection also includes the ISSY&LA segment, the “jeans” collection, with the new ultra trendy styles, HYPE & HIT PARADE, which introduce new acetate colors with sparkle effects.




MATCH
Adrienne Vittadini

Complex Yet Fresh Frames, for Forty Somethings and Up

 
The AV-1082 (on model) ophthalmic style contrasts thin metal temples with thicker tortoise-shell frame fronts; the AV-1906 sunglass features classic dark frame fronts with an elaborately chiseled-looking temple.
The Adrienne Vittadini Eyewear Collection from Match Eyewear offers contemporary women (40 and older) European craftsmanship and 46 styles that reflect the “Forever 30” image.

Detailed laser etching and rich textures in varying neutral tones result in a casual sophistication while still maintaining the brand’s image using high quality materials providing “accessible luxury.”

Seemingly simple frame fronts are matched with intricately designed, sculpted temples. On the AV-1088, a thin textured temple with a crystal next to the Adrienne Vittadini logo creates a distinctive, elegant look. The AV-1080 pairs thin metal around semi-oval eyeshapes with thick, engraved temples in brown and tortoise/pink.









MOREL
ÖGA


 
Morel captures the beauty of nature in 2012 within its collections. New Hültra styles in the ÖGA brand feature the latest rimless styles with distinctive wooden temples in a variety of colors.
Fashion Moves Forward by Going Back to Nature
Morel presents an addition to its collections that marries traditional eyewear structure with beautiful embellishments that draw inspiration from the world around us.

Hültra is the ultimate rimless wood concept from ÖGA, a brand that emphasizes natural elements. ÖGA once again has produced an original concept in line with the new collection segment: Limited-edition numbered products for customers seeking exceptional eyewear. The geometrical designs from Sweden are married successfully to a variety of wood-toned temples in an array of colors.














OGI
Seraphin

 
 
 Who’s that girl? Seraphin sunwear from OGI puts a new shape on the established black-frame movie star sunglasses; Seraphin Lyndale 8670 contrasts a traditional tortoiseshell frame front with elegant alabaster-like temples,
all made from Italian acetate.
Adapting the Elements to Redefine Luxurious Eyewear
OGI Eyewear’s Seraphin 2012 Neoclassic Collection puts a sharp, modernistic edge on classic eyewear by adapting the finest elements of luxury eyewear from the past into fresh, contemporary interpretations. The 16 new Seraphin styles appeal to the romantic hero who yearns for sophisticated luxury, precision handcrafting, and comfortable price points.

Each frame contains a unique story that exemplifies the characteristics of the model and validates its place in the collection. In the new ad campaign, every style reflects a celebrated trendsetter of a bygone era through the placement of acute details, rich color and handmade materials.

Every style has been refined to adapt to the wearer’s unique facial structure with the new Global Fit Bridge. Understanding that customers are diverse and have different demands, features like elongated nosepad arms that allow frames to be adjusted to sit comfortably on faces with higher cheekbones, helps optical retailers build long-lasting rapport with customers.






PRODESIGN
Axiom

 
 
Axiom’s light and airy metal frames feature colorful acetate temple tips and a patented clip on the hinges that allows for easy removal of temples from the eyewear.
Light, Strong Eyewear Made for the Face
ProDesign’s Axiom Eyewear feature “frames made for the face, not the window”—made for customers who admire its clean and simple lines, consistent high quality, and the unique ability to combine lightness of form with functional strength. The company aims to create designs that create a synergy with the face, and not just to look good on the shelf at the optician’s.

The Axiom collection features about 270 styles, all in four to six colors each. In the Axiom 6128-32 styles, a special clip on the patented hinges allows the easy removal of the temple from the rest of the frame. The striped acetate at the end tip is a classic ProDesign acetate, and both the colors of the fronts and the temples are repeated in the end tip pattern.











VIVA INTERNATIONAL
GANT by Michael Bastian

 
 Multiple laminates enliven traditional eyewear styles with bright, contrasting colors; even the tried-and-true tortoiseshell (on model) get a fresh new look, with the GANT logo adding flair to the temples.
Sunshine Days, Vacations, Inform Colorful, Playful Styles
Available this month, the GANT by Michael Bastian Spring/Summer 2012 eyewear collection reflects the designer’s own dreams of sun-filled tropical vacations. Inspired by the popular 1970s Brady Bunch sitcom, Bastian says the episodes of the family’s Hawaiian vacation reflected his themes for this collection—happiness, optimism and thoroughly American.

The palette of colors used in the ophthalmic and sunwear styles—bright purple, pink, orange, lagoon blue, and sunshine yellow—are all inspired by the 1970s, as are the patterns and badges, such as hippo and turtle prints, monkeys, and exploded flowers.

A wide selection of colorful sunglasses is offered, each named after characters in the Brady Bunch: the round shaped “Jan,” the aviator with tequila-sunrise-effect “Marcia,” the oversized aviator “Greg” and the two-toned “Mike.”

The collection will be available at premiere shopping destinations including Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue in the U.S., Harry Rosen in Canada and Selfridges in the UK, as well as at GANT flagship stores.







VIVA INTERNATIONAL
GUESS by Marciano Eyewear

 
 
 GUESS by Marciano features everything from semi-rimless eyewear to light tortoiseshell framefronts, both with sculpted temple; the style on the model adds fun and glamour to the tortoiseshell look with flecks of blue and crystals.
Bringing Glamour and Daring to Everyday Fashion
GUESS by Marciano, the premium brand extension from GUESS, Inc., follows suit in true GUESS style with apparel and accessories that are on the edge of the fashion forefront. This contemporary fashion-forward collection, designed for the trendsetting woman, is daringly sexy, yet has highly sophisticated style that represents pure glamour in everyday fashion.

The brand’s ophthalmic and sunwear collections use the highest quality handmade acetates, genuine Swarovski crystals and exclusive high-end packaging.

GUESS by Marciano Eyewear brings affordable luxury to today’s trendsetting woman complementing the perfect special occasion outfit, work wear and evening wear looks. The variety of versatile styles will easily take her from a morning meeting to cocktail hour in style.


















WESCAN
Kliik

 
 It’s all about attitude: Kliik’s styles for men and women highlight making a personal statement; Kliik 459 (at left) for women pairs a business-like framefront with lightweight TR-90 temples covered in fun and funky colorful acetates—available in brown, blue, aubergine and black.
Making the Connection Between Perception and Statement
Seeing and being seen is taken to a distinctive new level with Kliik eyewear for men and women. Style is much more than a look—it is a chance to make a statement. Kliik is for consumers who understand the connection between who they are and how they are perceived.

Kliik features youthful styling, contemporary materials and fasion-forward colors, reflecting the brand’s modern, urban, ageless look. Inspired by European chic and a passion for redefined geometric shapes, subtle beauty, and bold confidence, the eyewear features small details, with an unparalleled approach to quality, that make big impressions. Kliik features lightweight but strong stainless steel and enhanced acetate, combining cutting-edge elegance with timeless looks, in single, dual, and multi-colored styles.












ZIG EYEWEAR
ZIGGY by Cendrine O.

 
 

ZIGGY by Cendrine O. uses techniques like epoxy accenting (shown on frame 1182, top), solder-point detailing (shown on frame 1061, bottom), and laser-cut matching designs on temples and framefronts.
Vive La Difference: Unique Looks for Daring Consumers
The ZIGGY by Cendrine O. collection is comprised of a rich variety of vibrant, coordinating colors created by a designer for people who want a look that is fun, eye-catching, sophisticated and most of all, unique.

Designer Cendrine Obadia, a French-Canadian artist with more than 20 years of eyewear industry experience, has sold hundreds of thousands of frames worldwide and has established relationships with selected optical boutiques in America during the past eight years. She finds inspiration from “everything”—including paintings, printed material, sculpture, and jewelry. She designs for people who want something different. “Fashion passes, but design stays,” she said, adding, “It’s not a logo—it’s a creation!”

The ZIGGY by Cendrine O. collection comprises almost 100 different styles, all with multiple color options available, mainly made of stainless steel. Highly original temples with lasercut designs, epoxy accenting, and solder-point detailing feature matching designs on the frame fronts as well.