Paying tribute to the city of Los Angeles, Sama Eyewear introduces its deCODE: Los Angeles collection. The company found its inspiration from the overlooked aspects of Los Angeles and its community, environment, diversity and commitment to social change. “When people think of LA, they think of Hollywood and glamour,” says Sheila Vance, founder and chief designer of Sama Eyewear. “But there is a whole other side of the city, and I used that as my inspiration for the new collection. In addition to all its glittering connotations, LA has always created movement with authenticity, setting its own path for key causes in health and wellness, philanthropy, education, and arts and culture.” The collection features frames with motifs of classic LA, streamlined silhouettes, multidimensional textures and neutral colors that all coincide with the city’s rich history. Each frame is constructed from 5-mm flat pure titanium sheets and feature 100 percent hypoallergenic materials. Sama produced five different molds, using each to add a subtle layer of shaping toward each frame. The block construction is a laser-cutting technique that brings a level of lightness and strength to each frame. All frame parts are handmade in Japan and feature block Japanese acetate, as well as hand-applied enamel treatments for a jewelry-like finish. Each frame is tagged with names such as #No H8, #No War, #No Bullying and #No Limitation. Each hashtag embodies an ideology of preservation, conservation and respect for humanity, a core idea of Vance’s personal philosophy.
—Victoria Garcia
PHILOSOPHY: “All of our materials are always premium, and we really take our time and make efforts to find the best, most innovative and newest materials and push the envelope and move the product and industry forward, combining both fashion and function,” says Ross Vance, president, engineering and product development at Sama Eyewear. “For our technology elements in deCODE, there were a variety of complex components that we employed in this product that took us a long time to perfect, sample and contribute to its very individual look and feel. deCODE: Los Angeles is very specific with high-tech elements that give a very directional look, feel and function to the frames that are categorically different than our other collections.”
MARKETING: Displays are available.
PRICE POINT: $$$$$
CONTACT: For additional information, Sama Eyewear, (877) 788-7262;
website: samaeyewear.net
INSIGHT Sama has introduced a matte lens collection featuring new technology offering shimmery and opalescent mirrored lenses. The patented process incorporates the crushing of stones from various opals to get the pearlized but flat finish into a micro powder form. The powder is then applied into a vapor spray and a special technique is used to apply it to the lens surface.
