Whats New

Jun
2004

What's New

Photographed by Nedjeljko Matura

Morel Cottet: Unionbay Eyes

Dipping into the teen market
Morel Cottet USA launches its Unionbay Eyes line. Targeted to teens, the new collection contains 12 ophthalmic styles grouped into four categories. The UB 100 series consists of plastic laminates. The UB 200s are fully rimmed metals with clip-on sun lenses. The UB 300s feature semi-rimless styles and the UB 400s are combination frames with a metal front and plastic laminate temples. Each group offers masculine, feminine and unisex shapes with an emphasis on variations on rectangles and ovals. All styles have spring hinges and feature the Unionbay name in a subtle treatment on the left temple.
PHILOSOPHY: “This brand has great commercial appeal, but it keeps in mind the individuality of teens. Unionbay consumers aren’t necessarily trendsetters. They’re more trend followers who tend to be a bit more conservative. As a result, we are offering fairly conservative eyewear shapes, but have taken some liberties with such details as laminate acetate temples and temple tips,” says Morel Cottet CEO Tom Castiglione. “The result is sellable shapes teens feel comfortable wearing with enough added details so they don’t feel like they have everyone else’s glasses.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials include one- and three-place displays, countercard and logo plaque. Each frame comes with a case, cleaning cloth and sticker.
PRICE POINT: $$.
AVAILABILITY: Spring 2004. For additional information, contact Morel Cottet USA, (800) 526-8838; web site: www.cottet.com

New Millennium: FUBU Eyewear

Tapping into the FUBU vibe
New Millennium Eyewear Group is the exclusive U.S. distributor for FUBU Eyewear, designed and manufactured by FUBU worldwide licensee Nickname Eyewear. Taking its direction from the brand’s apparel offerings, the new eyewear line, which is designed in Italy, contains both ophthalmic and sun styles in metal, plastic and metal/plastic combinations. Shapes are cutting-edge, but wearable variations on rectangles, bowties and butterflies with such details as matte finishes, flyaway frame fronts and subtle logo treatments. The sunglasses are equipped with polycarbonate lenses.
PHILOSOPHY: “FUBU Eyewear answers the question ‘what’s next’ in an industry brimming with designer name brands,” says FUBU CEO Daymond John. “We have no doubt FUBU will translate well into optical.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials are logo-driven and include a three-place display, poster and countercards.
PRICE POINT: (Frames) $$; (sunglasses) $$$.
AVAILABILITY: Now. For additional information, contact New Millennium Eyewear, (800) 852-7857; web site: www.newmillennium.com.

L’Amy Group: Columbia Eyewear

Embracing all sports
L’Amy Group presents its Columbia Eyewear  line of ophthalmic and sun/sport styles. The ophthalmic collection is designed to accommodate active, outdoor and urban lifestyles and is divided into two segments: Active, featuring trendy, sporty eye shapes; and Authentic, consisting of classic, yet contemporary designs. The frames are made of monel (one has aluminum temples), stainless steel and plastic. The sunwear collection is separated into two segments: Core, for amateur athletes who want functional, protective eyewear; and XST (eXtreme Sun Technology), stylish, aggressive designs, including a ski goggle, for strenuous conditions. The sunglass frames are metal or plastic and are equipped with Carbonium lenses (polycarbonate with carbon components added) except for those with polarized lenses and the Glacier, offered with lenses designed for high altitudes. One style comes with two pairs of lenses. Most of the sunglasses have mirror treatments. Both the frames and sunglasses feature a Diagonal Secure Fit System, an earpiece adapted to the shape of the human head.
PHILOSOPHY: “Columbia Sportswear is an established leader in the outdoor lifestyle,” says L’Amy president Stephen Rappoport. “With the new eyewear line, we are hitting every demographic in the U.S. from snowboarders to casual lifestyle. And we are focusing on technology at a good price point, which is the essence of the brand.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials are available. Each style comes with a case.
PRICE POINT: $ to $$$$.
AVAILABILITY: Now. For additional information, contact L’Amy Group, (800) USA-LAMY; web site: www.lamygroup.com.

 

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