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Quick Take: Gunnar Optiks debuted the Intercept featuring its patented i-AMP lens technology in partnership with Hylete, a premium fitness brand.
Wearer: Individuals who value their eyes, sleep and well-being.
Specifics: The Intercept features Hylete’s spring color palette as well as highlights inside the temple arms and on the Gunnar temple logo. The frames come with patented i-AMP lens technology which is precision-engineered to eliminate eye strain and block the harmful effects of blue light.
Selling Points: The Intercept features wide format lenses which create a panoramic viewing field for high-resolution viewing and an ergonomically balanced frame for comfort. “Gunnar has always stood for protection and enhancement of the human condition with products that help people perform at their best,” said Scott Sorensen, Gunnar president. “Hylete shares our passion for innovation in design and tech that helps people be the best they can be in their active lifestyles. We are very excited about partnering with a brand like Hylete.”
www.gunnar.com

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Quick Take: For SS18, Modo is launching its new Global Fit styles which adds pad arms to a frame’s bridge, giving wearers a more comfortable fit on the nose.
Specifics: Global Fit styles have been selected from Modo’s bestselling models and colors within the Paper-Thin Acetate and Metal Core Acetate collections.
Selling Points: For the Paper-Thin Acetate collection, Modo is launching Global Fit for four designs, including women’s, men’s and unisex shapes. The women’s 4500 style is available in both blue and brown tortoise as well as the classic black/gold combination. 4506, a women’s cat eye, has Global Fit in bark, crystal with gold titanium and black/gold. The unisex 4509 style features Global Fit in navy, crystal, crystal/gold and matte black with gold titanium while the large men’s square 4511 can be worn in brown tortoise, black and crystal/navy. For the bestsellers in the Metal Core Acetate collection that have been designed for Global Fit, the unisex pantos 6603 style is available in black, matte dark tortoise, and two of Modo’s dual-color acetate—brown/blue and gold/black. The 6604 has three Global Fit color choices: combination brown/black, red brown and matte black. And the feminine cat eye shape, 6606 is featured in nude, plum and dual-color gold/black options.
Price Guide: $$$$
www.modo.com

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Quick Take: Brooklyn-based eyewear company, Lowercase, has partnered with another Brooklyn-based company, Knickerbocker Mfg. Co., on a frame collaboration with a charitable component.
Specifics: Through the partnership, which launched on Nov. 30, Lowercase crafted the RPG (Regulation Prescription Glasses) style which is inspired by the standard issue optical frame for new military recruits that dates back to WWII. While there have been variations of the RPG, this rendition takes inspiration from the late 1970s model. The frame’s box was also designed with a military-esque look. Fifteen percent of all sales from the RPG will be donated to Headstrong, an organization whose mission is to provide cost free mental health treatment for veterans.
Selling Points: “We were looking to create a partnership with another Made In America brand, not even necessarily Made in New York,” said Gerard Masci, co-founder of Lowercase. “We met with Andrew Livingston [the company’s owner] at our Brooklyn Army Terminal Factory and discussed how our two companies would be able to work together on a project.” The RPG from Lowercase features hand polished Mazzucchelli acetate, OBE German engineered five barrel hinges, OBE coated screws and Carl Zeiss CR-39 lenses with optional polarization as well as 100 percent UVA/UVB protection. “We exaggerated the shape to make it slightly more modern, but maintained the integrity from 40 years ago,” said Brian Vallario, co-founder of Lowercase.
www.lowercasenyc.com; www.Knickerbockermfg.com

Zeal Optics has launched its latest sunglass style, Windsor. The style is a lightweight Z-resin frame with added Proflex rubber and is designed with the adventure-ready pedigree that Zeal Optics is known for. The Windsor also features Ellume Polarized lenses, which are also made from eco-friendly castor bean resin, providing color, clarity, contrast and protection. The process also results in a lighter finished lens for all day comfort and performance. “Windsor is an amazing embodiment of the Zeal Optics style and what our customers have been asking for. Incorporating performance attributes and plant-based materials in a beautiful lifestyle silhouette, Windsor looks great, and performs better, whether you’re climbing a peak, or relaxing on the beach,” said Mike Lewis, Zeal Optics’ director of brand activation & digital strategy.
www.zealoptics.com

Smilen Eyewear has released 12 new styles to its 2000 & Beyond brand which is one of its signature brands of high fashion zyl frames. The models feature unique color patterns, matte finishes and metal trims. This new release of feminine looks showcases the style, quality and affordable pricing that Smilen Eyewear offers.
www.smileneyewear.com