Whats Next

Feb
2004

What's Next

Couteur Designs: Vera Wang Bridal 

Unveiling bridal eyewear
Couteur Designs, a division of the Kenmark Group, adds the Vera Wang Bridal Collection to its Vera Wang ophthalmic and sun lines. Created for sophisticated, intelligent women who appreciate the highest quality of luxury products, the new collection, which has the look and glamorous feel reminiscent of a wedding day, has been designed to be worn everyday. The line consists of four ophthalmics, including two titanium frames, and three sunglasses. Shapes are feminine with delicate styling and are offered in a soft color palette featuring crème, champagne and crystal. Several styles are accented with Swarovski crystals.  
PHILOSOPHY:  “The Bridal collection represents the romance and glamour associated with a wedding day,” says Shayne Karl Brill, Kenmark Group director of marketing. “These frames are truly exquisite and exemplify Vera’s commitment to making women look and feel beautiful everyday.” MARKETING: Merchandising materials include a display box, dispensing pad, mirror and logo block. Each frame comes with a sculpted clamshell case for the smaller ophthalmics and a purse-style case with a clasp for larger ophthalmics and sunglasses. PRICE POINT: (Ophthalmics) $$ to $$$$$; (sunglasses) $$$. AVAILABILITY: Winter 2004. For additional information, contact Couteur Designs/Division of Kenmark Group, (800) 627-2898; web site: www.kenmarkopt.com

B. Robinson: Cynthia Rowley Sunglasses

Sweet creations
B. Robinson Optical launches a Cynthia Rowley sunglass collection in conjunction with the Spring 2004 Cynthia Rowley “Candyland” themed runway show. The new collection is comprised of 10 plastics and three metals and consists of two distinct groups with colors and decorations inspired by elaborate cake ornamentation and icing hues. One group is characterized by combinations of cabochons, silver beads and crystals that give the frames a vintage feel reminiscent of sweets. The other group features silver candy-like beads, which mimic a popular cake decoration known as dragee. The beads adorn frame fronts and run along the top of the frames and the length of the temples. Shapes are ’60s-inspired oversize butterflies, squares and rectangles, modern ovals and a trapezoidal aviator. Colors are pearlized, opalescent and crystal variations of ivory, black, grape, jade, marine, pumpkin and tortoise.
PHILOSOPHY:  “Our new sunglass collection truly portrays Cynthia Rowley’s fun and quirky nature. Leave it to her to draw inspiration from something as obscure as cake decorations and to translate it into a beautiful collection,” says Lori Robinson, B. Robinson vice president, marketing. MARKETING: Each sunglass comes in a lavender pouch. PRICE POINT: $$$. AVAILABILITY: Spring 2004. For additional information, contact B. Robinson Optical, (800) 221-7176; web site: www.brobinson.com.

Marchon: Disney Princess Eyewear

Enchanting eyewear for the young princess
Marchon Eyewear expands its Disney children’s line with the introduction of the licensed Disney Princess collection. Designed for girls two to nine, the collection contains four stainless-steel styles, each named for a princess—Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Cinderella and Snow White. Shapes consist of an almond, oval, modified oval and modified rectangle, all with spring hinges and distinctive “Princess” logo treatments. Colors range from mocha and sand to cranberry, lavender, orchid, pink, rose and midnight and sky blue. Fanciful accents include hearts, bows, glitter, sparkle and gold embossed logo treatments. One style (Aurora) is available with a clip-on with colorful lenses. 
PHILOSOPHY: “The Disney Princess Eyewear collection is now part of this dominant children’s brand. Its enchanting styles promise something special and are sure to inspire young girls to dream,” says Andy Skitmore, vice president/brand executive for the Marchon, Flexon and Disney collections. MARKETING: Merchandising materials consist of a four-place display and countercard featuring the four princesses, mirror and door decal. Each frame comes with a pink case. PRICE POINT: $$. AVAILABILITY: Winter 2004. For additional information, contact Marchon Eyewear, (800) 645-1300; web site: www.marchon.com.

Zyloware: Stride Rite Unifit Bridge

Just for kids
Zyloware expands its Stride Rite children’s collection with the addition of three metals, Stride Rite 27, 28 and 29, all featuring an exclusive small, soft silicone, unifit bridge designed by Zyloware. Targeted for still-developing noses, the bridge helps distribute the weight evenly and is easily adjusted. The frames also have double soldering at the joints and spring hinges. Included are one boys’, one girls’ and one unisex style, each available in two colors with colorful temple tips.
PHILOSOPHY:  “Stride Rite has been fitting children with quality footwear products for more than 80 years. Likewise, Zyloware recently celebrated 80 years in the optical industry. The marriage of two experienced brands has created children’s eyewear both parents and dispensers can trust and boys and girls will love because of innovative styling, trendy colors, quality construction and comfortable fit,” says Zyloware president Chris Shyer. MARKETING: Merchandising materials include two-place displays, display cubes, countercards, poster and hanging banner. Additionally, the new collection is supported by a gift-with-purchase promotion, consisting of a full-size gumball machine and two packages of Pepperidge Farm pretzel fish as filler with the purchase of six Stride Rite frames, including the three new styles. PRICE POINT: $$. AVAILABILITY: Winter 2004. For additional information, contact Zyloware, (800) 765-3700; web site: www.zyloware.com.

 

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