Whats New

Jan
2005

What's New

Photographed by Robert Gerhardt
and Robert Kastler
Tura:
Lulu Guinness Eyewear

Retro flair meets feminine whimsy
Tura launches the Lulu Guinness Eyewear collection designed for women between the ages of 25 and 85 who appreciate eyewear as a fashion accessory. Included are 20 ophthalmic frames and 15 sunglasses in plastic, metal and plastic/metal combinations, ranging from full rimmed to semi-rimless and drill-mount styles. The sunglasses are adorned with crystals, pearls and metal studs. Sunlenses are CR-39. Select styles are available with polarized lenses. Both collections incorporate the Lulu Guinness signature colors of lilac and white and are marked by such features as dual coloring, special matte and shiny finishes, spring hinges and custom-made temple tips.
PHILOSOPHY: “The new Lulu Guinness Eyewear line is inspired by the glamorous and stylishly retro Lulu Guinness herself. This collection brings to the industry a timeless look of the past with a flair for contemporary designs,” says Marc Frank, Tura brand manager, Lulu Guinness.
MARKETING: Merchandising materials include a 12-place spinner handbag-style display, Lady Lulu figurine based on a life-size figurine currently featured in the Lulu Guinness boutiques, countercards, mirror with wrought iron scrolls, logo identifier and banner. With an additional purchase beyond the 12-piece buy in, accounts are offered a Lulu Guinness handbag. Each style comes with a case with the Lulu Guinness insignia mirror and cleaning cloth.
PRICE POINT: $$$ to $$$$; $$$ to $$$$$ (specially designed sunglasses with pearls and crystals. For additional information, contact Tura, (800) 242-8872; web site: www.tura.com

Marcolin Group:
Kenneth Cole Reaction

Fun, funky fashions
Marcolin Group launches the Kenneth Cole Reaction ophthalmic line. Targeted to young adults between the ages of 18 to 28, the 16-piece collection contains styles that appeal to all consumers. Bold milled frames offer a youthful approach to flat metals. The Ombre metals are light and subtle with gradient colorations. Full metal and combination metal/plastic styles are designed to appeal to consumers looking for statement pieces and for those seeking to complement facial features. Plastics are offered in warm, rich laminates. Shapes include variations on cat eyes, rectangles and other geometrics in full-rimmed and semi-rimless designs. All frames are equipped with spring hinges and come with such signature details as button nosepads inspired by Kenneth Cole Reaction’s accessory closures and a signature green stripe on the temple tips.
PHILOSOPHY: “Our goal with Kenneth Cole Reaction is to help open more retail doors with sensational styling and high fashion offered at the right price point,” says Antonio Bortuzzo, CEO and managing director of the Marcolin Group.
MARKETING: New merchandising materials for the Reaction line include displays and a logo plague accented with green. For additional information, contact Marcolin USA, (888) MARCOLIN; web site: www.marcolin.com

Jonathan Paul Eyewear:
PhiOptik and PhiFlex

Inspired by nature
Jonathan Paul Eyewear launches two sunwear lines—PhiOptik and PhiFlex. Both take their name from phi—a ratio-based proportion of nature. The PhiOptik collection consists of five plastic styles with a six-base wraparound design suitable for prescriptions ranging from +3.00 to -5.00D. The four-style PhiFlex rimless collection, currently not Rxable, has a patented temple mounting system that provides strength and durability and a combination titanium/plastic bridge that interlocks for flexibility and strength. All frames are equipped with Polarvue polarized polycarbonate lenses with an anti-reflective back coating and scratch-resistant treatment and side windows in the temples.
PHILOSOPHY: “Inspired by the fascination phi holds and its relevance to beauty and proportion, I’ve designed a range of sunwear based upon the needs of consumers and also one that will encourage retailers to take advantage of the second pair sunglass sale,” says Paul Stables, president of Jonathan Paul Eyewear. “I specifically created PhiOptik plastics as six-base to be more Rxable, but still offer consumers a fashionable wraparound style with the protection they desire.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials include displays, posters and countercards. Each frame comes with a case and cleaning cloth.
PRICE POINT: $$$. For additional information, contact Jonathan Paul Eyewear, (888) 834-8872; web site: www.phioptik.com

 

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