TWO MAJOR EYEWEAR MAGAZINES TO SHARE FUTURE  » As of now, 20/20 Europe, the most widespread, specialized eyewear magazine in Europe for the last 20 years, and VEDERE International, founded in 1953 and maintaining a pan-European distribution since 1971, will be published as a single magazine, together with L+T European Lenses + Technology in an international, multilingual edition. The new editorial format resulting from this partnership is structured in three distinctive sections. 20/20 Europe in co-edition with VEDERE International will be distributed in 19 European countries and will participate in the major international eyewear shows in Europe and other continents. Both editorial units will stay active—in London under the supervision of Clodagh Norton (Boyd Norton Associates) for 20/20 Europe, and in Milan, Edizioni Ariminum srl for VEDERE International. Sales management for France, Italy, United Kingdom and Spain is Studio Zanasi s.a.s. Isabella Morpurgo, publisher of VEDERE International, is heading the North and East European markets (Austria, Germany, Denmark, Benelux, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Poland and East Europe).

MARCHON CREATES 3D DIVISION AND SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH REALD  » Marchon Eyewear establishes Marchon 3D, a new business division. Additionally, Marchon and RealD Inc., a leading provider of 3D technology for cinema, consumer electronics and professional applications, have signed a global licensing agreement to use the RealD brand for sales of Marchon 3D eyewear. Marchon 3D will distribute its RealD-compatible 3D glasses in cinemas, retail locations, e-commerce sites and through electronic equipment manufacturers worldwide. Marchon Eyewear will market designer 3D eyewear and prescription 3D lenses to eyecare professionals. Marchon 3D eyewear features a range of circular, polarized 3D lens technologies, including four-base, six-base and eventually eight-base curves. The lenses will block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and can be used as conventional sunglasses. The initial eyewear will be plano, but Rx lenses are anticipated.

MODO LAUNCHES US OPEN TENNIS SUNGLASSES  » Modo Eyewear and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) introduce licensed US Open Sunglasses for the tournament, taking place August 30 to September 12, 2010. The style is unisex and comes in classic “US Open blue.” Lenses are AR-coated High Chromatic Definition, providing natural color contrast.       

PIXEL OPTICS AND ASPEX EYEWEAR COMPLETE NORTH AMERICAN LICENSE FOR ELECTRONIC EYEGLASS FRAMES  » Pixel Optics and Aspex Eyewear Group have successfully completed their license negotiations and have executed agreements. Under the terms of the license, Aspex becomes exclusive licensee for emPower! electronic eyeglass frames for North America and will manufacture, distribute and sell emPower! electronic eyeglass frames capable of housing Pixel’s electronic focusing eyeglass lenses.  emPower! is the name of Pixel’s electronic focusing eyewear, which uses electro-optics to change focus without moving parts as fast as the blink of an eye.

CHRISTIAN ROTH AND CHARMANT END LICENSING PARTNERSHIP  » Luxury eyewear brand Christian Roth announced its licensing partnership with Japan-based Charmant Inc. will terminate at the end of 2010. Since 1998 Charmant Group has produced and distributed Christian Roth sun and ophthalmic frames to a select group of international retailers. Beginning in 2011 Roth designers and co-founders Christian Roth and Eric Domege will regain control of all Christian Roth trademarks. Since its launch in 1984, Christian Roth has been a pioneer in high-fashion titanium and handmade acetate frames and sunglasses.


VILLA EYEWEAR TO DISTRIBUTE JOHN RICHMOND  » Under a licensing agreement with Allison, Villa Eyewear has the exclusive distribution rights in the U.S. for John Richmond Eyewear and Sunwear (pictured). The 2010 collection consists of 12 ophthalmic frames and nine sunglasses heavily influenced by rock ’n’ roll and street culture.

PRO GOLFER GREG NORMAN AND ASPEX TO LAUNCH GREG NORMAN EYEWEAR  » Aspex Eyewear Group has signed a licensing agreement with professional golfer and entrepreneur Greg Norman, through his company, Great White Shark Enterprises, to design, manufacture and distribute internationally a line of Greg Norman eyewear. The eyewear is slated to debut in the first quarter of 2011 with ophthalmic, optical and non-optical sunglass collections distributed through independent eyewear professionals.