What has now become a venerated tradition, the annual EyeVote readers’ poll is delivered in its newsworthy context in 20/20’s Upfront and also (this is the fun part where 20/20 gets to “collaborate” with some of the brand choices deemed laudable by our faithful readers) in a variety of “spots” in a random scatter throughout our monthly feature positions.

With our January issue traditionally focused on sunwear debuting in the upcoming opti-sphere cycle, the task of noting your winners of choice plays as quite a determining factor when it comes to choosing the sunglasses in our main photo feature. And THAT shoot’s my subject here.

With the backdrop of New York’s skyline in its endless variations as our sun-splattered setting, Art Director Iris Johnson and photographers Katie Bleacher and Dean Everard discovered a club terrace on the roof of the Pod 39 Hotel in a rather shy part of our little town known as Murray Hill. The views were spectacular, and the sunwear rose to the occasion as trendsetter styles beyond the call of duty. The shades in this feature quite simply blew me away. If this is what’s on the horizon for the new sun season, then get ready for an absolute surge in consumer interest.

I’m so flabbergasted by the styles that I’m literally at a loss for words. I can’t even pick out a secret favorite. I keep staring at our trusty shoot book jumping from brand to brand in total awe: INVU… Nike… Von Zipper… Colors in Optics… Swarovski… Silhouette… Escada… Zac Posen… Été Lunettes… kate spade new york… AND the debut of Kering’s Bottega Veneta brand on our cover. There’s so much energy, excitement and dramatic flair on face here that I simply must vote this as one of the best photo shoots in 20/20’s opti-history.

I’m honored to be in the presence of such amazing sunglasses and working with an art and editorial team boundless in imagination and inspiration. I’m seeing a VERY bright 2016. YOU need some new shades. I-Hope and I-Vote that you take a look and get revved up for your share of this brilliant future.   

James J. Spina
Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]