Jul
2003

Upfront

Exclusive Club Man
Looking for any excuse to run a picture of the classic Clubman frame, 20/20 wishes a prosperous 85th anniversary to ArtCraft New York. Founded in 1918 as Design Manufacturing Co., the company started out producing tools, parts and frames for other manufacturers. In 1929 it narrowed its focus to just spectacle frames and changed its name to ArtCraft Optical Co., Inc. During the ’20s and early ’30s, ArtCraft manufactured mostly gold-filled frames. As production increased, the company needed larger quarters. In 1934, ArtCraft re-located its growing operations to a multi-story 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in downtown Rochester, N.Y. By the ’50s, styles had changed. Metal was being combined with acetate to create combination frames. ArtCraft delivered with its Clubman Art-Rim, a style for men that has sold over one million units. Every decade brought progress and change to the company. In the ’90s, ArtCraft further diversified creating its U.S.A. Workforce Division of prescription industrial eyewear. By the end of the century, ArtCraft relocated to a “completely modern facility,” according to Tom Eagle, CEO and owner of ArtCraft, changing its name to ArtCraft New York. Eagle says, “Since I joined the company in the late ’50s, a lot has changed and continues to change as we adjust to market swings and demands. Becoming an 85-year-old company feels good. To me, it means that we’ve stayed vital and responsive to our industry and customers through every generation. We improve this company every day and we’re always looking at tomorrow. Right now, we’re making plans for the last part of our first 100 years.”  —James J. Spina

Angel Eyes
Lucy Liu with my girl, Drew and Cameron D. are all sporting Ray-Ban shades in the hot summer flick “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” which hit theaters on June 27th. In conjunction with the movie, the Luxottica brand is promoting three styles that represent the spirit of each angel.

The Ray-Ban Predator Raider embodies the rebellious essence of Drew Barrymore’s Dylan with its streamlined butterfly shape. Rituals’ striking style and feminine shape is indicative of Cameron Diaz’s Natalie. And the Top Bar Oval reflects the technical savvy of Lucy Liu’s Alex with aerodynamic temples fitted with Hytrel and flash mirror lenses. From “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to “Risky Business” to “Men in Black,” Ray-Ban has been a fixture at the movies… this “feel good time” film continues that “shady” tradition.   —Jackie Micucci

Dynamic Trio. Ray-Ban Predator Raider style RB 4014, color 601; Rituals style RB 4018, color 637/13; and Top Bar Oval style RB 3179, color 003/Z1.

Charlie, how your Angels get down like that. Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu get down in Ray-Ban sunwear in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”


Every month 20/20 features the hottest stars in the hottest eyewear fashions. This month, in addition to our usual celebrity packed Hall of Frames, we shine the spotlight on some of Tinseltown’s next generation of talented and spec-savvy stars in looks from Marchon.

Not the boss of me. 1. Frankie Muniz, star of Fox’s “Malcolm in the Middle,” in Nautica style 8012, color 207… What Girls Want. The ever-outrageous 2. Kelly Osbourne of MTV’s reality TV hit “The Osbournes” in Fendi style FS262 in metallic clear. Also in Fendi, 3. Amanda Bynes of the WB’s “What I Like About You” wears style 560 in mink… Spied. 4. Evan Sabara one of the young stars of “Spy Kids” and “Spy Kids II: Island of Lost Dreams,” sports Flexon Kids style 91, color 130… Singing siblings. 5. Aaron Carter, younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, wears Nike style 4600, color 444. He recently released his fourth album “Another Earthquake.” Britney Spears’ kid sister, 6. Jamie Lynn Spears, wears Disney style 89 in cinnamon. The younger Spears stars in Nickelodeon’s “All That,” a comedy/musical performance show… Teen idols. N’Sync’s 7. Justin Timberlake recently went solo with his album “Justified” and is now on tour with Christina Aguilera. The heartthrob sports Calvin Klein style 532 in silver. “The Lord of the Rings” star 8. Elijah Wood in Nike style 4600, color 220. Wood is set to appear in the movie franchise’s third installation “The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King” later this year. 9. Jessica Alba, formerly of Fox’s “Dark Angel,” wears cK style 1033, color 145. Alba plays the title role in the soon-to-be-released movie “Honey.” —JM


Boom Boom
Excitement (and curiosity) for Moja Design’s Boom by Atom eyewear collection and its marketing scheme continues to grow. Word on the street from 20/20’s agent Frames Bond has it that the upcoming “Spiderman II” might feature some Boom posters as set backgrounds. And… Boom illustrator Jim Webb told Fluffy, our other secret agent, that Boom Max Rack postcards are all the rage at Forbidden Planet, New York’s Mecca for graphic comics. Seriously, the marketing concept behind this eyewear collection is wickedly unique. Find out for yourself by dialing (888) 576-MOJA.  —JJS



 

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