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LAUNCHES
Essilor and Transitions Optical Introduce Seventh Generation Photochromic Lens
Quick Take: Essilor of America is partnering with Transitions Optical to launch Transitions Signature VII lenses, the darkest photochromic lenses with full indoor clarity.
Wearer: “The new Transitions Signature VII lenses provide a superior visual experience by being more reactive to varying outdoor light conditions,” said Carl Bracy, executive vice president of market and business development, Essilor of America. Transitions Signature VII lenses also have the best true-to-life color of any photochromic technology on the market, giving patients better color perception, according to Essilor.
Specifics: Transitions Signature VII lenses feature Chromea7, a new proprietary photochromic dye formulation that absorbs more light to allow the lenses to be more responsive to UV than ever. “When offered with Varilux and Crizal lenses, it is truly a dynamic lens with unmatched quality of vision,” added Bracy.
Selling Points: Transitions Signature VII lenses were developed as the result of a new proprietary testing methodology, Life360, which includes live wearer analysis and real world testing in more than 200 real life conditions, in addition to the traditional laboratory measurements. The results are best possible products with a superior wearer’s experience, Essilor said.
Price Guide: $$$
www.transitions.com;
www.essilorusa.com
Smith Optics Launches Iconic Archive Collection
Quick Take: For 2014, Smith is celebrating their history by reintroducing sunglasses from their past with The Archive Collection. All of the pieces in The Archive Collection are exact replicas of original Smith frames first made in 1988, 1991 and 1993.
Wearer: Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam but in 1979, Smith Optics introduced its first line of sunglasses for “people who live outside walls,” like company founder Dr. Bob Smith. The freethinking visionary had a lust for life and wanted to provide superior quality sunglasses to make everyone’s outside experiences even better.
Specifics: Each of the five new styles, the Cheetah, Mt. Shasta, Marvine, Delano and Cornice, are labeled with its initial launch year and offered in original colorways.
Selling Points: The glasses are still constructed from cellulose propionate frame material but have been updated with Carbonic TLT lenses for optical precision. Each style is available in polarized and non-polarized options.
Price Guide: $$$
www.smithoptics.com
SECOND LOOKS
Tura Expands Ted Baker Ophthalmic Collections
Quick Take: Tura Inc. expands its Ted Baker eyewear brand with the introduction of new women’s and men’s ophthalmic styles.
Specifics: The new additions are part of the Speechless, Iconic “T” Logo and Essential Fashion Collections.
Selling Points: The new styles are crafted with rich block and laminate acetate materials and feature box spring hinges. The Ted Baker quirky yet commercial point of view is expressed through iconic jewelry details, retro shapes and custom playful prints or patterns. The price point of the collection makes it ideal for the high fashion consumer who wants high quality eyewear without paying a luxury price. As part of the launch, Tura Inc. has debuted a new print marketing campaign and is offering new P.O.P. items. The new advertising print campaign highlights a quintessentially British heritage by incorporating British porcelain history with markings dating back to the 18th century. The traditional ceramic teacup has been transformed and turned it on its head to create eyewear figureheads to display the new collections. The ceramic mark “Glaze, Gaze and Amaze, Eyewear with Character” underlines the brand’s unique positioning and eccentricity. The Ted Baker design style is translated into all P.O.P. materials, including the suitcase display and bag tag as a logo ID.
Price Guide: $$-$$$
www.tura.com
Altair Unveils New Joe by Joseph Abboud Optical Styles
Quick Take: To kick off 2014, Joe by Joseph Abboud Eyewear from Altair releases new ophthalmic styles.
Specifics: Four new styles featuring with sleek designs and superior precision.
Selling Points: Linear details applied to the temples add to the overall sports-inspired aesthetic synonymous with the brand. The innovative use of flat metals, rich colorations and succinct textures creates a collection that easily accents a fashion forward suit or amplifies a casual style. The semi-rimmed metal JOE4028 features linear details that add to its classic styling; while thin temples with engraved lines mimic the pinstripe detail found on tailored suiting. The temples of the JOE4029 and JOE4031 continue the linear styling of this season with a solitary line that slices through double laminate temples, revealing a crystal interior for the full-rimmed metal JOE4029 and bold plastic JOE4031. Rounding out this season’s collection, the JOE4030 is a subtle milled metal combo with a precisely styled interior temple.
Price Guide: $$
www.altaireyewear.com
Zyloware Presents the Expansion of Project Runway
Quick Take: Zyloware Eyewear has introduced new releases from Project Runway for February 2014.
Specifics: After the initial Project Runway launch in January 2013 and additional style releases throughout the year, Project Runway further expands the collection with six styles and 11 SKUs.
Selling Points: Inspired by the hit reality competition TV show, Project Runway Eyewear features high-end looks translated from the runway to the real world. The new styles stay consistent with the successful on-trend shapes, intricate design embellishments and bold color palettes. The PR105M is a full metal frame in a modified petite oval shape with open metal endpieces and a metal temple featuring a two-toned coloration as well as a geometric cut-out design. The PR114Z focuses on the popular “geek look” in full rim zyl in a bold, yet lightweight style featuring double coloration zyl, spring hinges and the ability to accommodate progressives. The PR116Z is a triple layer modified oval zyl frame offered in two statement-making color combinations. The PR119Z is a full rim modified round frame featuring unique triple layer zyl color combinations and metal rivets. The PR120Z is a triple layer full rim modified oval zyl frame featuring designer inspired color combinations and smooth zyl temples with metal rivets. Lastly, the PR122M is a petite oval shaped metal frame with whimsical cut-outs on the front and temples along with a contrasting pop of color on the inside.
Price Guide: $$
www.zyloware.com
ALSO NEW
Revolution Offers New Robert Graham Styles
Robert Graham Eyewear from Revolution offers high quality craftsmanship and sophisticated silhouettes, along with the infusion of iconic fabric and trim designs that reflect the essential characteristics of the brand’s “American Eclectic” spirit. Robert Graham and Revolution have created a collection of eyewear that resonates globally. Featured for the season is the Robert in light brown with Robert Graham fabric infused into the temples, size 42/23/140. Other colors available include black clear, cola and tortoise beige. Also featured is the Milous with fabric infused temple tips in brushed pewter, brown, black and dark navy.
www.revolutioneyewear.com
Liberty Sport Adds New Colors to Protective Sports Styles
Liberty Sport has announced new colors that complement and broaden their assortment. “At Liberty Sport we study the sports gear market closely and continue to add the latest trend colors to keep up with what the market demands,” said Linda Laube, EVP of business development. New additions include green camo for the Maxx 30, a popular trend in the skate boarding and BMX fields, and a matte black/red combination for the Slam, as matte black is the number one selling color in sport sunglasses. Liberty Sport has also added red overmold combination, meant to complement many sports team colors, and a matte black colorway for the Slam XL. Because a growing market for sports protective is the Adult Athlete who does not want too much color, the matte black is a natural complement to the existing color range.
www.libertysport.com
Immagine98 Unveils New Rye&Lye Styles
Immagine98 has introduced new elegant Rye&Lye models featuring Made in Italy craftsmanship. Considered by the company to be “small masterpieces,” all Rye&Lye frames share two souls, one that casts an "eye on the past" reliving it in the form of the gentle "allure of retro,” while the other looks to the future, thanks to the use of the innovative materials and cutting edge technologies that make the frames more like handmade jewelry and a tailor made accessory than a mere medical device, according to the company.
www.rye-lye.com
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