By Deirdre Carroll
Associate Editor

NEW YORK--Mondottica LLC, owned in part by Mondottica International, introduces the Shanghai Tang eyewear collection to the U.S.

Ira Lerner, Mondottica

“Like yin and yang, Shanghai Tang Eyewear is a dichotomy of opposites,” said Ira Lerner, managing director of Mondottica. “It fuses ancient Chinese legends with the fashion chic of now, the high-tech with the hand-crafted, fine detail with bold and striking designs.”

Launched in 1994, Shanghai Tang is the first and only luxury fashion brand from China. It combines the best of Chinese culture with the dynamism of the 21st Century to create a vibrant fusion of East meets West. The Shanghai Tang portfolio ranges from affordable luxury items to bespoke gowns and suits and products include men’s and women’s fashion, hand bags and fine leather accessories, shoes, scarves and, now, eyewear.

Part of the POP imagery available with the new Shanghai Tang collection.

Well-traveled and trendsetting, the Shanghai Tang customer stands out. Designed for those who are confident in expressing their individuality, the eyewear line focuses on bringing the mystique of Chinese culture to the West. The collection includes 30 optical and 40 sun styles, which use Chinese mythology, legends and themes, with an updated twist, designed for men and women of fashion. Featuring the symbols for longevity (the shou), wealth and prosperity (the copper coin), good fortune (the dragon), peace (the phoenix), harmony (the double carp) and purity (the lotus), the collection exudes vibrant charm and modern sophistication.

The Shanghai Tang case opens with a Chinese-style red tassel “pull” and has a silk lining and cleaning cloth in a Shanghai Tang signature design. Priced to the dispenser from $79 to $99 for optical styles, and $85 to $110 for sun, the Shanghai Tang collection has a very extensive collection of POP materials which are available to convey the essence of the brand, including counter-cards, a 3-piece, 14-piece and 28-piece frame display, a hand-held Shanghai Tang mirror, logo blocks, high-gloss Shanghai Tang gift bags and a display tray. ■