PHILOSOPHY: “Gaultier chose Fusion Eyewear to distribute its optical collection in North America because of our select clientele. Our boutique customers want exclusivity and that’s what we provide,” says Fusion CEO Alan Weisfeld. “I am so excited about the new sunglass styles. They reflect the original Gaultier image from years ago with a modern twist. They are haute couture and very distinctive, just like the man himself.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials include two- and four-place displays, six-foot in-store display, mirrored two-place cube display, two-sided posters, countercards, banners, mirror and logo plaque. Frames and sunglasses come with a bone-colored, textured leather case with micro-fiber cleaning cloth.
PRICE POINT: $$$$$. For additional information, contact Fusion Eyewear, (888) 34-FUSION; www.fushion-eyewear.com
InSight
Technically brilliant, Jean Paul Gaultier has always taken great delight in parodying the fashion establishment. In fact, he is credited with redefining many fashion conventions. In the ’80s, he recreated underwear as outerwear with a series of designs that culminated in the corset dress and black studded bra made famous by Madonna in her “Blonde Ambition” tour of 1990. He also attempted to dismantle the clichés of masculine styling, designing a skirt for men in 1988.
