With this column I really need to note numerous key details of the particular issue but have no idea how to go about it in just a bit over 400 words.

Issue in hand, you’ve already disCOVERed our first big effort: electing to deliver FIVE different covers all on the same issue. Not sure which one you got but in a sense you got all of them because our special inner cover flap carries the “other” four. This was a massive undertaking mainly for Art Director Iris Johnson, diligent Production Director John Caggiano, 20/20’s loyal printing partner Fry Communications and nurturing support from Marchon Eyewear, boldly tiptoeing into Expo with debuts and enhancements for a healthy handful of fashion and lifestyle brands. We’ve made considerable noise at 20/20 this year about the stellar role of Independent Eyewear brands (with yet another facet of that unique optical trait in this very issue on page 86), but felt some equal time was due on the licensed branding front, omnipresent and formidably growing in the opti-sphere.

And then there’s the record-breaking embrace of numerous product pages, a host of What’s New debuts, a sonic high count of What’s Next collection extensions AND the largest New York Vision Expo-related tally of feature and trend pages in a full decade as the optical arena roars into a definite period of growth and consumer awareness, reinforcing the 20/20 premise that eyewear is INDEED the ultimate accessory.

Which leads right into a personal accolade for both the feature AND the subject of that feature as Executive Editor Christine Yeh delivers a remarkable interview with Blake Kuwahara who was our very first Artist of the Frame 16 years ago in 20/20. Blake is one of the esteemed eyewear designers in an enriching event at Vision Expo East as showgoers have the informal opportunity to engage with the full edCFDA panel, dedicated to expanding the vision of not just optical but the whole whirl of fashion design in eyewear. As well as delivering his intensely creative namesake collection (in conjunction with Bevel Eyewear), Blake is also key to the groundbreaking efforts of STATE Optical and its American-made eyewear as highlighted in a key story in 20/20’s March 15 What’s Brand New issue.

And as I wind down this word count, I’d be remiss not mentioning this month’s L&T story on Millennials and their vision concerns engagingly penned by longtime 20/20 comrade Jeff Hopkins.

And as noted by the headline, I’m forever honored covering this opti-front.

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