New York Eye launches Eddie Bauer Eyewear, a value-infused 30-piece optical collection. The frames abide by the same quality and performance standards as the brand’s signature outerwear, clothing, accessories and world-class mountaineering gear for men and women. Materials include zyl, titanium, stainless steel and TR90 in such colors as black, brown, tortoise and blue. The design aesthetic of the eyewear is classic yet modern with variations on rectangular, clubman and preppy designs. Some styles feature eye-grabbing laminated temples.


PHILOSOPHY:
“In a market oversaturated with high-priced luxury eyewear options, New York Eye seeks to reach out to savvy consumers looking for top quality, value and service with the Eddie Bauer brand,” says Arthur Jankolovits, president of New York Eye. “Eddie Bauer Eyewear will be positioned as the go-to brand for today’s consumer looking for updated classic designs and the finest value in outdoor lifestyle eyewear.”

MARKETING:
Merchandising materials include one- and three-place displays made of wood and featuring the signature Eddie Bauer green hue and logo. Stainless steel water bottles, travel bags and knapsacks are available with purchases. Frames come with a distressed brown faux leather case.

PRICE POINT:
$$. For additional information, contact New York Eye, (800) 221-6966; website: newyorkeye.net

INSIGHT
Born in 1899 on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington state, Eddie Bauer turned his love of the outdoors into a business when he opened Eddie Bauer’s Sport Shop in Seattle in 1920. He went on to develop and patent a variety of groundbreaking outdoor products from badminton  shuttlecocks to sleeping bags and became a household name after creating Skyliner, the first quilted goose down jacket patented in America.