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LAUNCHES
Norman Childs Eyewear Expands Nationally
Quick Take: Norman Childs, creator of the Norman Childs Eyewear (NCE) collection, has expanded the NCE line of American-made frames nationwide.
Wearer: “Since I began, I’ve maintained that it’s possible to manufacture quality products in this country and sell them to customers in an environment where they feel ‘cared for’ from the moment they walk in until they walk out with a new pair of glasses,” said Childs.
Specifics: The NCE frames are all hand-crafted in America. The line’s acetate frames are manufactured by Golden Gate Optical in San Francisco, while the metal frames are produced by Randolph Engineering near Boston. The lenses are then grinded on state-of-the-art equipment in Eyetique’s newly-renovated building in Pittsburgh.
Selling Points: For the past 20 years, NCE has been available exclusively at Eyetique, a chain of independently owned fashion eyewear stores in Pittsburgh and Cleveland that Childs established 36 years ago. However, during Vision Expo West 2015, Childs and his team recruited up to150 independent upscale eyewear retailers across the country to carry the latest NCE line of over 50 styles. Furthermore, NCE supports a wide range of charitable organizations in Pittsburgh and Cleaveland, including the Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team and Pittsburgh’s Public Schools.
Price Guide: $$$$
www.normanchildseyewear.com
Adlens Launches Adjustable Eyewear for Digital Eye Strain
Quick Take: Adlens is launching a second version of its Adlens Interface adjustable focus eyewear next month that are designed to relieve digital eye strain.
Wearer: “We introduced a second design to simplify focusing on the distances required by digital devices to help reduce the strain and discomfort that eye muscles experience,” said Karen Fitchett, PhD, director of product management at Adlens. She noted that patients who have tried the new glasses have commented on the noticeable reduction of digital eye strain symptoms and improved screen clarity.
Specifics: The glasses feature tinted lenses that filter out 80 percent of the most harmful blue light, easing the temporary symptoms of digital eye strain and reducing the chances of long-term damage to the eye. They have an adjustable diopter range of 0 to 2.75 to allow easier focus on computers and hand-held devices.
Selling Points: “Protective eyewear is a growing market,” observed Fitchett. “However, the price, level of protection from blue light offered, and adjustability make Adlens Interface a unique product that will put it in a strong and attractive position among competitors.”
Price Guide: $$
www.adlens.com
SECOND LOOKS
Marcolin USA Presents New Roberto Cavalli Styles
Quick Take: Marcolin USA has introduced the latest Robert Cavalli eyewear collection for Fall/Winter 2015. With the perfect balance between the Florentine stylist’s exclusive flair and the expert craftsmanship of the Marcolin Group, the collection combines elegant, distinctive forms with jeweled detailing.
Specifics: For women with an individualistic streak, the collection includes one new optical style and two new sun styles.
Selling Points: In optical, style RC0930 features a geometric frame in acetate that features a cat-eye front with a lower metal profile that creates a stunning visual contrast. The imposing size of the upper section is softened by a cascade of Swarovski diamonds which accentuates the frame’s femininity. In sun, the 1960s-inspired RC908S style radiates unadulterated vintage charm, the company said. Its geometric silhouette is characterized by a broad mask-shaped front section, where elegant metal motifs of the iconic Roberto Cavalli serpent trace the sunglass’s rim and wrap around each temple. Each snake is also embellished with rhinestones for additional drama. With a broad profile in acetate, style RC902S features exclusive patterns on the right and left side of the frame front. A gold geometric endpiece adds dimension, while an elegant metal plaque bears the brand’s logo on the initial part of the temples.
Price Guide: $$$$
www.marcolin.com
Safilo’s Bobbi Brown Releases Sterling Nights Collection
Quick Take: The Bobbi Brown Sterling Nights Eyewear Collection for Fall/Winter 2015 from Safilo features classic shapes with thin silhouettes in new colors such as tortoise sapphire, pearl gray and shiny silver.
Specifics: Two optical and four sun frames for women.
Selling Points: Inspired by the corresponding Bobbi Brown make up collection, the Sterling Nights eyewear collection captures the jewel-toned hues and star-studded skies that inspired Bobbi on a recent trip to South Africa, the company said. In optical, the Adrien features a subtle cat eye shape fit for women with heart, oval or square-shaped faces. According to the company, a nude makeup look would complement the Lena style with a rectangular shape in colors inspired by the South African skies. In sun, with mirrored and gradient lenses, the Joanna and Milo is best suited for heart, square and oval faces. The Joanna has a feminine butterfly shape, while the Milo frame is rectangular. Perfect for both round and oval-shaped faces, the Gia features a classic metal rectangular shape in matte and shiny color options. With a clean, easy-to-wear silhouette, the square-shaped Alexandra is ideal for heart, round and oval faces. A shiny metal logo plaque, also inspired by the star-studded skies, adorns the temple of each new frame.
Price Guide: $$$$$
www.safilo.com
Mondottica Expands Anna Sui Collections
Quick Take: Mondottica has unveiled the latest Anna Sui optical and sun collection featuring the designer’s distinctive color palette and bohemian artistry.
Specifics: Evoking the spirit of bohemian romance, Anna Sui’s new collection of three optical and two sun styles are full of easy to wear shapes, rich marbled handmade acetates and custom laser engraved motifs.
Selling Points: In optical, inky blacks and opulent tortoiseshells are layered with deep shades of purple, amber and vibrant crimson in style AS662. To complete the look, butterfly motifs adorn the temples for a unique expression of personal style. Finished with signature rose temple tip buttons, the carved acetate layers of style AS660 create graceful curves revealing iridescent glitter from the front onto the temples for a hint of Art Nouveau. The cat-eye shape of style AS695 is crafted in acetate with two-tone lamination, while its temples take on a brocade effect with contrasting metal laser engraved motifs. In sun, deep jewel tones are layered with rich marbled acetates in style AS983, while the temples are embellished with Swarovski crystals, pearls and raised baroque rose tip motifs. With a soft feminine eye shape and gently rounded curves, sun style AS989 features glitter temple trims, graduated lenses and signature branding.
Price Guide: $$$
www.mondottica.com
ALSO NEW
Rudy Project and Brian Deegan Offer Limited Edition Line
Rudy Project has announced a new partnership with one of the most recognizable names in the action sports industry, Brian Deegan. Deegan’s success began in Motocross and now he competes in Global RallyCross and Short Course Racing. As part of the partnership, Rudy Project has unveiled the Limited Edition Spinhawk Deegan 38 casual sunglasses, exclusively available in North America. The Spinhawk comes with a 3-Year Frame and Lifetime Lens Warranty, even against scratches. RP Multilaser Optics ensures exceptional lens clarity and protection, while Safety Hinges create a fold-in hinge without any sharp edges. They are also fully Rx-able using digital backside surfacing to create perfect edge-to-edge coverage. www.rudyprojectusa.com
Morel Unveils the Öga Tanger
The Öga Tanger from Morel combines creativity with high-tech materials resulting in a light, com¬fortable men’s frame. According to Morel, Tanger’s flex system is an audacious mechanical setup where each component has an impact on the appearance of the temple. The double-action flex system uses a visible stainless steel blade to form an integral part of the temple’s aesthetic. This spring blade slides inside the anodized curved aluminum temple creating a light and colorful effect. The front and temple are connected by a hook and stain-less steel dowel pin inserted into the temple. The non-visi¬ble axis prevents any friction with the aluminum and guar¬antees durability. Available in 10 models (two U.S. specific models for later release), the Tanger offers four semi-rimless shapes, three full-rimmed stainless steel topbars and three brushed acetate fronts available in a range of sizes. All versions are progressive friendly.
www.morel-france.com
EyeOs Debuts Horn Readers
EyeOs Premium Readers has introduced “ExOtic,” a luxury reading collection. According to the company, the EyeOs’ ExOtic Collection is comprised of five timeless designs, each a stunning, one-of-a-kind masterpiece, handcrafted using ethically-sourced, all natural water buffalo horn. The remarkable beauty and caliber of the hand-selected horn used, matched with eyeOs’ commitment to artistic design and expert craftsmanship, make the ExOtic Collection their most sophisticated yet, the company said. The frames are unique, natural, hypoallergenic and ultra-lightweight. The collection is fitted with EyeOs’ Hex-O-Tech lenses, which feature premium AR coating, UV400, anti-fatigue and scratch-resistant coatings, and are available in both Aspheric single vision and FT-28 photochromic bifocal lenses in +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50 powers. www.eyeoseyewear.com
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