Let’s put on a Show. And nothing says “Showtime!” better than a new debut. So how can we play up a handful of new debuts when we only have one cover for 20/20? How about multiple covers? How about five covers for five different brands all making an impact at the 2016 edition of Vision Expo East? It’s a deal. It’s a BIG deal.

—James J. Spina

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UNDENIABLY MODERN CLASSIC
MCM was born during a cultural renaissance of modernism, novelty and progressivism. Christened “The Glamorous and Legendary Years of Munich,” life in the 1960s and ’70s was about living, creating and playing. MCM debuted in Munich in 1976 during this era of rebellion, reinvention and creativity, and carries a thick heritage because of it. Munich was not only known as the home of the global jet-setter, but also Europe’s center of traveling, music, fashion and nightlife. High-profile travelers included legends such as David Bowie, Queen, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury and countless others that made this city their playground. In turn, MCM was crafted and inspired by these types of jet-setters, and the brand began designing beautiful leather suitcases and handbags.

Named after its founder, the MCM label originally stood for Michael Cromer Munchen. Predominantly featuring MCM’s iconic aesthetic, its signature logo-printed monogram pattern called Cognac Visetos can still be seen throughout the majority of its collection. The logo itself reflects on its rich heritage and features beribboned laurel leaves and diamonds. Each piece continues to be personalized with a unique number engraved on its brass plate, a craftsmanship tradition that continues to be the finishing touch on every MCM product. This attention to detail and craftsmanship is at the heart of all MCM products, which have grown to include accessories, backpacks and of course, eyewear. While MCM has reinvented itself throughout the years, it has never drifted too far from its roots, allowing the brand to become an indisputable modern classic.

—Jillian Urcelay

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MARNI’S QUIRKY ELEGANCE
Founded in 1994 by creative director and designer Consuelo Castiglioni, Marni originated as a family business. Promoting Italian excellence and design, the brand develops all collections in-house at its Milan headquarters and is recognized for its elusive, distinctive and signature designs.

Marni has built its success on the celebration of individuality through a conceptual aesthetic that appeals to an international clientele. Key words such as eclectic, innovative, art and color are used to describe and create each collection, ranging from accessories to menswear and womenswear.  The brand is marketed toward those who curiously experiment with interesting and bold materials, prints, color and shapes, and are free-spirited thinkers. Marni creates a visual language of graphics and unconventional detailing that exudes an avant-garde lifestyle and quirky elegance. These details are used in the brand’s boutiques across the world that offer customers a unique experience and a complete view of the Marni world.

Marni was the first luxury brand to make its collections readily available to its global customers with an e-commerce platform in 2006, expanding its retail network to core markets including China, France, Japan and the United States. Its website offers insights into the collections, inspirational videos and the vision and work behind the entire Marni brand. The brand also supports not-for-profit social and community projects by selling special products and donating the proceeds to promote learning and creativity in small communities. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Marni launched a cycle of events titled “Marni Prism,” which took place in Milan, Tokyo, Venice and Hong Kong.

—Victoria Garcia

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ENCORE! ENCORE! ETRO!
I love fabric. Nothing awakens my imagination like going to the fabric district in New York and wandering through the bolts of material. I see a world of endless possibilities in all the color and texture surrounding me. Fabric is what I gravitate toward when I shop, and fabric is the foundation of Etro. Silk, lace, leather and fur (just to name a few) are embroidered and embellished in every way imaginable. Pattern is layered on pattern and trimmed with…  more pattern, of course. Paisleys mix with florals and geometric prints, sheer fabrics collide with brocade, and gold trim and fringe add another level of richness. The resulting clothes evoke a whirlwind global tour, where the most striking design elements from cultures such as Japan, India and Russia have been combined into a rich, global hybrid. Etro is your favorite jet-setter bringing back the choicest fabrics from the most exotic, remote hot spots. This vivid mixture of influences and textures never veers toward garish, but instead is unexpectedly harmonious and opulent. For me, this is one of the delights of the Etro brand—the beauty is in how the contrasting elements ultimately work together like a complicated collage. Etro is the polar opposite of minimalist design, a brand that belongs in the “more is more” category, where more color, more movement and more pattern are the goals. That unique point of view is what style is all about, and for someone such as myself who celebrates the “more” in life—everything that is vibrant, rich and unexpected—Etro is the perfect fit.  

—Iris Johnson

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HAIL COLUMBIA
Looking to test the durability of a product, say a jacket or sweater or coat or… sunglasses? Head to Portland, Ore., and plan on staying just about a day or so. Yes, you can get it done in a day. You’ll likely hit every weather extreme possible, have the ability to choose from a variety of environments that can challenge any product AND face up to a populace willing to cut you no slack.

The Columbia brand is up to that scrutiny. And the appeal of the brand is virtually ageless and totally global based on the no-nonsense approach of tough-mama founder Gert Boyle (now in her 90s and still active every day at their Pacific Northwest offices) and her equally irreverent but boldly honest son, CEO and president Tim Boyle. Want an impression of how they express their mandate making stuff? Watch their video at columbia.com where Gert notes, “It’s perfect, now make it better.” With details like Flexon technology and Zeiss lenses already in the product decisions, it sounds like this will be a partnership steeped in smart high-performance planning. At one point at the end of the video clip, Gert also delivers her winning formula: Early to bed. Early to rise. Work like hell and advertise.

It must work. After finishing up our cover photo shoot, Marchon’s Robert Schienberg graciously offered me a cotton shirt and a high performance pullover from Columbia for my son Gram. The shoot was about a month ago and ALL items (“Dad. I LOVE this brand. How do YOU know them?”) are on repeat-wear cycle, and it must go recorded that this is the first time my 14 year-old son has ever noted the complimentary action of the girls in his school about his shirts.

Hey Gert. Way to go!

—James Spina

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NEVER LOOK BACK
Move forward, push ahead and NEVER LOOK BACK. That’s the runner’s vision.

When I run, the road ahead is my view. With every stride, I plot my next move. I’m looking for the next mile marker during a race. I’m looking for that finish line to cross so I can triumphantly throw my hands in the air. Whether it’s during a training run or a half marathon, I need protection from sun glare, flying debris and ventilation from sweat and fogging. I need a lightweight frame that hugs my head comfortably and won’t slip down my nose. I want a frame I can barely feel on my face, but gives me the performance features I seek. Above all, I want clarity and precise optics. I need to SEE.

Running today is no longer just about the shoes. The best pair of shoes can make you go fast, but nothing slows you down more than obstructed vision. That’s where sport sunwear comes in. Whether it’s running competitively or for leisure, all runners can benefit from sharp, clear vision and protection from the elements. Nike Vision’s SP16 Running Collection delivers all of this—and more. Redesigned to satisfy the evolving needs of runners, Nike’s latest performance sunglasses are packed with new features providing extraordinary optics and an aerodynamic frame construction for the ultimate in comfort and protection. From training runs to race day, Nike Vision goes the distance with today’s runners. I’m ready to go that extra mile. Are you?

—Christine Yeh