Aug
2005

Upfront



England is suiting up with Armani sunglasses. Giorgio Armani's 2005 designs for the England Football Team’s new official off-field wardrobe were recently unveiled at a formal banquet in Chicago to celebrate the American and English teams on the first night of the England Team’s USA “friendly” tour.

The emphasis is on a casual but elegant look. As in previous seasons, Armani also created a range of accessories for the players, including shoes and sunglasses. The sunwear chosen is the GA 216/S, wraparound titanium style (above), which has been available here in the States since May from Sàfilo.

“These young and talented players are positive and relaxed in the way they approach the game and they play in a modern, fluid way,” says Armani. “Sven-Goran Eriksson encourages them to play with flair and as they head for the USA this summer, they should be dressed in a way that is appropriate to their on-pitch philosophy.” —JM		  

In Time

Time and time again Ray-Ban has been part of a charitable event. Most recently the Luxottica brand returned for the fifth year as a sponsor of “A Time for Heroes” fundraiser, held in Los Angeles, benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). Through an ongoing relationship with EGPAF, Ray-Ban is helping the foundation reach its goal in providing better medical treatments for children, prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and create a healthier future for children worldwide. Ray-Ban contributed funds to the fun-filled event and was on-hand outfitting the eyes of the more than 100 celebrity volunteers, who donated their time to work carnival style game booths. Among those getting some cool new sunwear are “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul in Sidestreet style RB 4062; the actor, best known for his TV role as “The Fonz,” Henry Winkler in RB 3025; Kathryn Morris of CBS’ “Cold Case” in RB 3239 and Kelly Hu, who currently appears in the new movie “The Underclassmen,” also in RB 3239. —Jackie Micucci

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






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Cruise control. 1. Tom Cruise appeared with the new love of his life, “Dawson’s Creek” alum Katie Holmes, wearing the Sama Eyewear Vent. The duo had gathered the media to announce their engagement. Sama did Cruise’s personal eyewear wardrobe for his latest summer movie “War of the Worlds”…. Marc up. Actors sporting frames from Robert Marc are 2. Stephanie March of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” in the limited-edition Heart; 3. Dominic Monaghan of ABC’s hit drama “Lost” in style 522 and 4. Gabrielle Union from the movie “The Honeymooners” in style 523… In the beginning. 5. Gary Oldman’s character Jim Gordon in the movie “Batman Begins” wears a pair of Kirk Originals style LOI… I’m with the band. A couple of cool musicians in Kirk Originals eyewear. 6. Justin Pierre of the Minneapolis band Motion City Soundtrack wears the Tarik and 7. Liam Gallagher of Oasis wears Vaughan 1/101 on the cover of the British music magazine
Q… Put up you dukes. 8. Jessica Simpson wears the Stella McCartney 14S sunglass in light gold with a yellow smoke lens from Sàfilo in the movie version of the ’80s TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which was released this month… Hang ten. 9. Johnny Knoxville wears the Mosley Tribes’ Navigator from Oliver Peoples in Stacy Peralta’s critically acclaimed film about the surf and skate revolution of the ’70s “The Lords of Dogtown.” Co-founder and chief designer of Oliver Peoples Larry Leight, who grew up in Santa Monica, Calif. surfing The Cove, was approached by Sony Pictures to provide eyewear and sunwear for the actors in the film… Live one. Socialite/reality TV star/B-movie actress 10. Paris Hilton showed up at the Live 8 concert in London wearing Bvlgari style BV 851 from Luxottica… Eye oui. 11. Samuel L. Jackson is a big fan of Alain Mikli eyewear. The actor owns several pairs of their frames and is seen here wearing style A0316-05… Stylin’. 12.Melissa Rivers in Bling Bling Lunettes style BBL002 from Revolution Eyewear at the MTV Movie Awards Style Lounge. —JM

     
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  Cause for a Celebration




It was more than a fashion event. ClearVision Optical recently was part of the Carol M. Baldwin Fund's "A Cause to Celebrate" annual fashion show and dinner to raise money for breast cancer research. The fashion show featured female and male breast cancer survivors as models wearing the latest spring and summer fashions. ClearVision donated eyewear and sunglasses to complement the models' ensembles.

The first model to hit the catwalk was organization founder, Carol Baldwin (right), who sported a pair of Op shades. Trevor St. John (left), who plays the hunky Todd Manning on the ABC soap "One Life to Live," was Baldwin's runway escort. To date, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise public awareness of breast cancer prevention and raise funds for research and treatment, has awarded more than 47 grants totaling in excess of $2.35 million to medical research.

—JM


  The Razor's Edge



 
Oakley keeps pushing the optical envelope to include non-op tech thrills to its products. Its latest leap is Razrwire— the morph of sunglasses AND a cell phone. This bold bid combines patented Oakley optics with third generation Motorola Bluetooth mobile technology. So now there's the option of avoiding the glare and blaring away on the phone in a unit that, quite literally, enters the world of hyper-tech in a way far beyond the realm of science fiction.
There's no tangled headset wires, no fumbling with removing your glasses to complete a call, an end to searching for your elusive cell phone and... thankfully... no noisy ringer since the signal is being privately channeled right into the wearer's ear. Razrwire is Oakley's second entry into the consumer electronics market following the intro of the Oakley Thump, its combination sunglass digital music player. This partnership between Oakley and Motorola portends endless possibilities for the designers and developers on both teams in terms of optical and electronic inroads. Retail distribution plans are still in development stages as it extends to the optical community but the excitement level is already formidable for industries and sciences just hankering to be melded and merged. —James J. Spina


Everyone knows the old successful selling adage of “location, Location, LOCATION” but how does size figure into the picture? Getting your mind back to optical retailing (and since this is the issue that always features 20/20’s Blueprints for Success retail design section) we thought you might be interested in some single store location square footage comparisons.
Jobson Research’s June 2005 Census report tells us that just over half of the independent optical retail locations in the US operating only one location make due with 1,000 (or less) square feet—workable but certainly on the tight side. The luxury of more than 3,000 square feet is reserved for just 2.6 percent of the op pros. Now you know where YOU stand… or sit. —JJS

 

   *Interested in finding out more information on optical locations? Call (212) 274-7164 or email jzupnick@jobson.com to find out what Census has to offer. Jobson Research’s Census is a comprehensive up-to-date database of the entire universe of optical retailer locations. It contains over 45,000 retailers—chains and independent operators—across the US with detailed information about their practices such as contact information, what products are sold, the types of activities conducted, revenue estimates, whether doctors are on site, extensive demographic information related to their locations and much more.


Trivex Earns AOA Seal for UV Protection — The American Optometric Association (AOA) has recognized Trivex as the first category of lens material offered by multiple lens manufacturers to meet the requirements of the organization’s Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/ Blockers. This announcement means that any lens made from Trivex material meets the Seal’s criteria and provides substantial protection of the eye from naturally occurring environmental ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Introduced by PPG in 2001, Trivex material offers a combination of excellent optics, impact resistance and light and thin qualities. It is used by four lens casters: Augen Optics (Trinity lenses), Hoya Vision Care (Phoenix, called PNX lenses in Europe), Thai Optical Group (Excelite TVX lenses) and Younger Optics (Trilogy lenses). The AOA Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers certifies that ophthalmic-related products conform to established, recognized and accepted guidelines set by the AOA. Criteria include that product samples be tested in an independent analysis and must block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB, and block at least 80 percent of radiant energy between 380 and 400nm. Each product unit in the tested sample must meet the parameter tolerances in order to be considered to meet the standard.


OLA Releases Spanish Version of its Lens Guide — The Optical Laboratories Association is releasing a Spanish-language version of its guide to ophthalmic lenses, the OLA Lens Menu. Like the English-language version, which was recently updated and redesigned, the Menú de Lentes contains the latest information on lens options, with a special emphasis on a lens for every lifestyle. Both English and Spanish-language versions provide the consumer-friendly information that supports a practice’s efforts to provide patients with the best vision solution, according to the OLA. Lenses are grouped and described by design, materials, treatments and specialty function and features. The Menu includes a lifestyle questionnaire and a vision safety notice, plus a space for a practice to stamp or print its office information. It can also be used as a recall notice and appointment reminder. The Lens Menu and Menú de Lentes are available from any OLA member laboratory. A free sample of both the Lens Menu and Menú de Lentes is available upon request. For more information, contact an OLA member lab, or call OLA at (800) 477-5652, or email ola@ola-labs.org. The Lab Directory at www.ola-labs.org is a searchable list of all OLA member labs.

  Indy Indeed



Dan Wheldon’s face is now enshrined on the Borg-Warner trophy forever as winner of the 89th Indy 500 but most of the world is responding just as equally to the face and race of Danica Patrick who finished a solid fourth and goes into the record books as the first woman ever to lead the Indy 500. And as you can see in these photos by Michael Voorhees Kaenon sunglasses were part of the action. “This is the first time I’ve cried in a race car. I think this is the best race in the world and most difficult to win,” says Wheldon, who continues to dominate the 2005 Indy Racing League season. Weldon uses an array of Kaenon Polarized styles including the Variant Series V5 in both G12 and Y35 tint combinations, UPD in Kiwi with G12 and Y35 lens tints and the new Beacon in frame colors Pearl, and Black on race day, both with G12 lenses. But let’s admit it… Danica Patrick, stole the show. She broke gender barriers while posting the fastest laps at the Brickyard all month, narrowly missing the Pole for the race day spectacle. Despite the media avalanche that followed her every move during the month of May, the rookie accomplished all of this with the poise, composure and character of a veteran driver. The media attention will certainly build for both champions and those Kaenon shades will be perfect for both driving and diverting some of that glaring publicity.

—JJS
 
 
 

  Take Carrera Yourself



We’re not sure what’s more of a sure bet… The fact that the Sàfilo’s Carrera Sunglasses LCR team delivered yet another heart pounding experience for the army of fans who flocked to the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello from all over the world to watch the fifth round of the Moto GP world championship… or their knowing 20/20 is a sucker for a great motorcycle racing picture.
Australia’s young rising star, Casey Stoner gave an amazing performance, leading (and leaning!) the pack for the first 14 laps. Stoner managed to stay with the front group, only to be denied a place on the podium at the last lap, taking fourth place. —JJS

  Museum Piece



A perennial fave of frame design, l.a.Eyeworks, is featured in a biennial museum showcase. The eyeglass makers’ Tread and Topkapi frames are part of the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) “California Design Biennial,” which runs until August 28th. The exhibition is a juried cross section of the most innovative and important designs produced in California over the past two years in the categories of fashion, furniture, transportation, consumer products and graphic design.The California Design Biennial was conceived as a showcase for excellence and ingenuity in the field of design and to raise awareness of the state’s growing role as an international design center. A jury of 10 distinguished design professionals including designers, academics and critics chose this year’s selections.
l.a.Eyeworks has consistently been recognized by the whole of the design community, not only for fashion and consumer product categories (Gold Award from International Design Magazine) but also for graphics, for the innovative design of promotional pieces and for architecture—the new l.a.Eyeworks store was awarded the AIA Interiors Award for 2005.

—JM


  See You in September



Anyone out there remember those intriguing ads premiering the debut of the Infinity automobile a few years ago? There were images of nature quite literally begging resolve but hinting at the merge of a brand new design evolution with an equally energizing industry revolution. There was no car.

There was no sales pitch. Infinity automobiles now dominate a tremendous percentage of the high-end auto market. Well, optical has its take on intrigue with the ad pictured here and full-paged glory elsewhere in this issue of 20/20. Quite frankly, we can’t wait to witness the teased milestone, and it should be noted that this is the kind of daring needed to drive the optical arena with excitement, innovation and a creative boldness willing to acknowledge that our community is ready to grow the flow rather than just follow it. Although this issue greets you, the reader, sometime in early August, this ad has us ready for September… and beyond. How refreshing. How… Modern.


—JJS

 


 




Give It a Whirl — Fashion Optical is taking advantage of those sun-filled summer days with a new Sunwear Rotating Counter Display package. The hot pricing of $115 is in effect until Labor Day. This rotator securely holds 16 frames and the package includes a chain and cord holder, curved shelves for cases or eyewear, a mirror
and sign holder. Shipping is free and so are details if you call (800)824-4106. Also browse www.fashionoptical.com. —JJS

 
Getaway Spa Gift Set Via Spiga — Zyloware’s Via Spiga collection is offering a free personal spa kit with the purchase of a pre-selected five piece eyewear order. This is in celebration of their revamped Asti and Enna rimless lines. The luxurious natural wood gift set includes a hair brush, mirror, massager, nail and toe brush, body mitt and bath slippers. All items come enclosed in a Via Spiga signature drawstring bag, perfect for travel or pampering at home. Let the lux begin by calling (800) 765-3700. —Rui Susan Chen






 

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