Whats Next

Aug
2004

What's Next

Sàfilo: Valentino Men’s Ophthalmics 

Capturing the allure of Valentino
Sàfilo USA introduces its first Valentino men’s ophthalmic line. Designed as high quality, luxury eyewear for affluent, sophisticated, metropolitan men between the ages of 30 and 50, the new collection reflects the elegant, modern styling for which the Italian fashion house is known. Included are three metal/wood combination frames in various rectangular shapes. One style is rimless. The color palette consists of such rich neutral tones as Bakelite, brown, gold and palladium.
PHILOSOPHY:  “Since we’ve had tremendous success with our women’s ophthalmic line, we expect our customers will be very excited to offer these new beautifully crafted Valentino men’s styles—especially because the use of wood materials gives this collection a distinctive point of view,” says Dick Russo, senior vice president of Sàfilo USA. MARKETING: A countercard and poster featuring a Valentino man wearing an ophthalmic frame are available. Each style comes with a black hard case. PRICE POINT: $$$$. For additional information, contact Sàfilo USA, (800) 631-1188; web site: www.safilousa.com.

Legacie Eyewear: Judith Leiber Collection

A new season of signature elegance
Legacie Eyewear, a Luxury House of B. Robinson Optical, presents its 13-style Judith Leiber Eyewear Collection for Fall 2004. Whimsical and elegant motifs of wild pansies, art deco and antique jewelry are among the motifs and are rendered with the intricate details and precious and semi-precious stones and jewels that have become a Judith Leiber trademark. Included are the following mini collections: Decoupage frames featuring inlaid mother-of-pearl with baguettes and trillions of stones; Laser group with an antique laser engraved motif set with crystals; Geometric group with geometric laser patterns sprinkled with baguettes and princess-cut stones; Icon frames, inspired by the handbag collection and featuring pansies made of hand-cut semi-precious stones; a single frame with a jeweled temple, taking its direction from Victorian jewelry (also available in 18-karat gold with diamonds and other precious gems); and a 40th anniversary frame with a temple design complementing Leiber’s famous minaudiere and accented with crystals, pearls and cabochon stones.
PHILOSOPHY:  “The Fall 2004 collection captures the essence of luxury with hand-crafted, jeweled styles. Art deco and antique jewelry design themes are brought forward to the 21st century,” says Legacie vice president
Gil Ross. MARKETING: Merchandising materials include countercards, display block, mirror and logo plaque. Each frame comes with a crystal-accented hard case. The sunglasses come with a soft handbag-style case, also accented with crystals. PRICE POINT: $$$$$. For additional information, contact Legacie Eyewear (866) 534-2243; web site: www.legacie.com.

Fashion Optical Displays: Artisan Collection

Inspired by artisans throughout the ages
Fashion Optical Displays offers the Artisan Collection, a series of displays and furnishings inspired by artisan craftsmen. Included are three lines—Americana, Mission and Shaker. The Americana collection features contemporary styling that blends with any décor and comes standard with SRT (Shadow Reduction Technology) in fine hardwoods or colorful laminates. The Mission style, reminiscent of old world craftsmanship, has elegant curved detailing, arched, recessed panel doors and black iron pulls and pendants in quartersawn oak or natural cherry hardwoods. The Shaker Collection embodies a classic look of simplicity with its solid hardwood legs, recessed panel doors and matching hardwood knobs in natural cherry or natural maple hardwoods. Displays and furnishings available for the lines include large and small freestanding displays, cabinet credenza with showcase, petite cabinet credenza, large and small framed mirrors, illuminated wall displays, double-angled dispensing table, connecting tables, dispensing and reception chairs and open square island. All Artisan Collection freestanding units display 84 frames on the patent-pending SRT panel and the sliding showcase holds an additional 30 frames. Optional frame trays in the base cabinet can add up to 180 frames on each side for a maximum frame capacity of 474. Artisan Collection displays come standard with halogen lighting and fabric-covered and satin-lined frame trays in the showcase pullout drawers. Two frame trays hold a total of 30 frames and automatically tilt to a 15-degree angle.  
PHILOSOPHY:  “Any company that actually listens to and cares for what their customers are searching for in a display will find the direction of new product design is really quite easy to determine. All we did was listen,” says Fashion Optical Displays CEO Thomas Maxwell. For additional information, contact Fashion Optical Displays, (800) 824-4106; web site: www.fashionoptical.com.

ClearVision: Op Kids

Tweens catch Op wave
Just in time for the back-to-school season, ClearVision Optical introduces Op Kids. Created for the eight- to 14-year-old tween age group, the new collection consists of three metals and one plastic/metal combination. Included are a bowtie, oval, narrow butterfly and rectangle in eye sizes of 44mm and 46mm. Hues range from brown, gunmetal, pewter and sand to blue steel, eggplant, lavender and navy. All of the frames are equipped with spring hinges.   
PHILOSOPHY:  “The Op brand philosophy is known for being original and fun, embracing the casual and active California lifestyle. The success of our Op eyewear and sunglass collections, targeted to 18- to 24-year-olds, inspired ClearVision to extend the popular lifestyle brand to the younger generation. The result is this exciting product line for tweens,” says ClearVision’s director of product development Hannah Sarbin. MARKETING: Merchandising materials include a double-sided stand-alone countercard and Lucite brand glorifier with a slot for a countercard. Each frame comes with a hard clamshell case in marine blue. PRICE POINT: $$. For additional information, contact ClearVision Optical, (800) 645-3733; web site: www.cvoptical.com.

Artoptic: Gem Collection

Jewelry for the eyes
Artoptic International expands its Gem Collection with the addition of three feminine styles, all highlighted with Swarovski crystals on the outer eyerims. Jeweler settings are utilized to apply the crystals, which are hand inspected for brilliance and quality, to the frames. Manufactured in Italy from a hypoallergenic, nickel-free bronze material used in surgical devices, the frames are modifications of oval and butterfly designs in gold tone and onyx colorations. Two of the frames feature zyl temples. The full metal style is equipped with spring hinges. Eye sizes are 56mm to 58mm.    
PHILOSOPHY:  “The striking new look coupled with the new material give a fresh, young look to this collection,” says Artoptic president George Gero. “Consumer demand for stones and consumer awareness of the hypoallergenic benefits of the frame materials enhance the value of the collection.” MARKETING: Frames are packaged in a six-place display kit. Each frame comes with a case. PRICE POINT: $$$$. For additional information, contact Artoptic International, (800) 522-8572.

 

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