REM AND MONDOTTICA ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP IN EUROPE» Rem Eyewear and Mondottica International have entered a partnership in Europe, forming a new company, Remdottica Ltd., based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, for the distribution of Converse Eyewear in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Spain.

OOH LA-LA DE PARIS SIGNS LICENSE FOR RANDY KAZANDY EYEWEAR» California-based Ooh la-la de Paris Eyewear, owned and operated by two ODs, Dr. Raul Arencibia and Dr. Jeff Northcutt, has signed a licensing agreement with Rhonda Fischer, author of the award-winning children’s book Randy Kazandy Where Are Your Glasses?, for a line of Randy Kazandy children’s eyewear.  Scheduled to launch in October 2010 at Vision Expo West, the new line includes eight fun styles, each offered in three vibrant colors.

OLSEN TWINS SIGN WITH ABSOLUTE BLACK FOR ELIZABETH AND JAMES EYEWEAR» Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen's Dualstar Entertainment, a boutique global brand management company founded by the Olsens in 1993, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Absolute Black for the design, manufacture and global distribution of sunglasses and ophthalmic frames for Absolute Black’s contemporary fashion brand, Elizabeth and James. A predominantly unisex sunglass line, the Elizabeth and James Eyewear collection will debut to high-end global retailers with an exclusive Resort 2010 capsule collection comprised of two styles; a limited edition style will also be available at select retailers in the U.S., Canada, London and Hong Kong. A comprehensive sunglass collection will roll out in Spring 2011 to Elizabeth and James retailers and fine optical boutiques.

FREDERIC FERRANT TO REP GOUVERNEUR AUDIGIER» Frederic Ferrant has been appointed North American agent for Gouverneur Audigier, an eyewear company founded in Morez, France in 1878. Known for its distinctive and timeless products, the company has stayed true to its passion for quality, artisanry and craft traditions, still working with many of its original tools and authentic frame components and materials.     

—Gloria Nicola