The Newest in Nose Pad Design

20/20 Accessory Source introduces the newest in nose pad design. Protekt™ Ultra nose pads feature an innovative hollow shape, which prevents impressions on the skin and makes the pads exceptionally comfortable, anti-aging and antibacterial. The unique material, combined with the pad’s unique shape makes it a great alternative for your problem patients.

Comfort comes first on the basis of new pad ergonomics with five years of research. The hollow design of the nose pads decreases the moisture on the nose caused by sweat that is typically associated with traditional full-surface pads and helps to prevent skin allergies and acne, making them great for people with sensitive skin. Made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), the raw materials used in the production of the Protekt Ultra nose pads are imported fromGermany.

Available in a Figure-8 and standard symmetrical shape, the nose pad’s frosted surface, together with its premium cushion design, prevents glasses from slipping on the nose as well as allows for greater ease in breathing for the wearer. TPU is a material which is easy to clean. Combined with the pad’s limited surface contact with the skin, the nose pads significantly decrease oil and bacterial build-up.

An IrREYsistible website

If the J.F. Rey brand name from Marseille is frequently awarded at the most prestigious international trade fairs for its creative designs, it is definitely because of its active marketing.

The new website www.jfrey.fr won the Best French website prize by the 2011 Communication Trophies, considered to be the standard in awards by members of the profession. The selection committee, spread throughoutFrance, select websites, advertising and public relations campaigns based on originality, quality and innovative spirit.

This award recognizes the quality work of the designer’s marketing and communications team. 

Besides a large public forum and an area reserved for media partners, www.jfrey.fr equally integrates – and therein lies the originality – a professional space exclusively for sales outlets worldwide, providing access to a broad assortment of tools and sales aids.

Essilor Acquires Stylemark

FGX International, an Essilor US subsidiary, has completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares in Stylemark, one ofNorth America’s foremost designers and distributors of non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses.

Based in Ormond Beach, Florida, Stylemark employs approximately 340 people and generates around $140 million in annual revenue in North America. Each year, it sells more than 30 million readers and sunglasses in nearly 30,000 retail outlets, mainly in the food, mass retail, drugstore and department store segments. It boasts a large portfolio of licensed brands, including Nine West^®, Dockers^®, Reebok^®, Hello Kitty^® and various Disney^® properties.

The acquisition will enable FGX International to add new customers, consolidate the two companies’ business and enter the fast-growing department store segment. The expanded business will also enhance the efficiency of its supply chain.

The Stylemark acquisition is fully aligned with the strategy launched two years ago, with the purchase of FGX International, to extend Essilor’s offering of eye health solutions, particularly in the presbyopia segment. “There are 2.4 billion people in the world who need corrective eyewear but don’t wear any,” said Hubert Sagnières, CEO of Essilor. “By strengthening our positions in the non-prescription reading glass market, we are speeding our expansion in a fast-growing segment and giving ourselves additional means to develop a high-quality offering of affordable eyesight correction solutions for a wide range of people around the world. In addition, Stylemark’s expertise in sunglass frame distribution will enable Essilor to effectively meet growing demand for eye protection solutions.”

The transaction will be financed using Essilor’s existing credit facilities. Based on current estimates, it is expected to be neutral to earnings per share in 2012 and accretive starting in 2013.

Tura and Ted Baker Renew License Agreement

Tura and Ted Baker, the UK-based clothing designer, have finalized a five-year renewal of their license agreement for the design, production and marketing of Ted Baker’s ophthalmic and sunwear collections inNorth America.

“We are very pleased to continue our successful partnership with Ted Baker. Ted Baker is a world class brand that has been extremely well received by our North American customers in the ophthalmic space since 2004. We plan to continue expansion of the optical and sun collections through original interpretations of Ted Baker’s fresh, young and irreverent design sensibility. This ongoing effort, in combination with Tura’s unparalleled reputation for service and quality gives us great confidence in the future of this partnership,” said Scott Sennett, president and CEO of Tura.

The Ted Baker ophthalmic and sunwear collections were launched to both men and women in October 2004 and March 2005 respectively, through Tura’s extensive network of independent eyecare professionals.

“Tura remains an ideal partner for us, sharing similar goals. We are pleased to renew our agreement with Tura, a company with long standing history in the fashion eyewear industry. The success of our partnership thus far confirms our mutual decision to move forward focusing on colour, details and quality to create innovative designs,” said Lindsay Page, finance director at Ted Baker.

A privately owned company since 1938, Tura has traditionally focused on women’s fashion eyewear through licensed and extensive corporate brands.

Georges et Phina Unveils Two New Brands: Glossi and Linkskin

Georges et Phina releases two innovative new brands after two years of testing. While Glossi brings a vibrant and colourful dimension to eyewear, Linkskin plays on a new eco-concept.

For Georges et Phina, the decision to distribute a new collection is never made hastily. “We look for design houses with a clear long-term vision in regards to brand identity, product quality, technical innovation, and mutual collaboration”, says directorDaniel Laoun. “So it is a long road from the initial discovery of new collections, to actually making them available to our customers.”

The beauty of Linkskin models is that beyond being eco-friendly, they are extremely lightweight, comfortable to wear, easy to cut and mount, and appeal to both genders, and people of all ages. The ethical nature of this line, called “the world’s first eco-friendly eyewear”, lies in the fact that they are made from 99 per cent recycled plastics, without springs, screws or soldering.Templesand fronts are hand-stitched, forming part of the design. All colours are either compound shades or RoHS compliant (this refers to restrictions on the use of hazardous substances). All the packaging is made of recycled material and even the ink is biodegradable.

Linskin has won different international design awards during the last years: iF Material Award in 2006 and 2009, Red Dot Design Award 2007, IDEA International Design Excellence Awards 2008, Silmo d’Or 2008 and 2009.

The Glossi line emphasizes brighter, shining colour and light reflection. The temples are joined to both front ends of the frame front by a unique joint system and stitch concept using nylon string instead of rivets. This soft connection allows stretchability and reduces stress at the two ends. It also helps to create the flexibility effect of spring hinges. The compound colour top bar viewing from the frame front creates a 3D colour effect. Almost no adjustment is needed when fitting the eyewear on the user’s face, except for the nose pads.

A Variety of New Styles

Viva International Group presents fourteen new styles for men and women from the GANT Eyewear 2012 collection, which follows the timeless American tradition of the brand. Along with the eight new optical styles from the GANT collection, GANT Rugger will also introduce new styles to their 2012 collection, with distinctive, yet casual design treatments.

A combination of collegiate style nuances and bits of downtown references are captured in Nouveau Prep, the look for the GANT Rugger 2012 collection, which features the release of two new optical styles and four new sun styles.

Model GR Nelson features a modified aviator profile in handmade acetate, which fits with the relaxed lifestyle of the GANT Rugger guy. Easy to wear, perfectly ready to be thrown on at any time of the day, the style is classicAmericanawith a touch of urban cool. GR Nelson, which is also available as a sunglass style, is offered in a variety of colours, including amber horn, black, tortoise/red and yellow crystal/olive.

Model GRS Wolfie, a key sunglass style in this collection, is an ultra-classic wayfarer style with deep lenses. Diamond “G” logo accents highlight the handmade acetate frame’s thick temples, delivering a bold statement. The new sunglass styles are all prescription-ready and feature polarized lenses, for superior sun protection, greater comfort and visual acuity.

Hilco’s Seasonal Fashion Eyewear Cases

Hilco’s new seasonal eyewear case lines feature colours and textures to warm up the winter season. The Stella and Della collections reflect the colour trends of burgundy, pearl and midnight blue and are embellished with an embossed brocade design to bring a touch of elegance. The Emily line is slightly larger to accommodate sunwear in a classic, black/cream and red/cream toile pattern.

Le Groupe Optique Plus Goes Eclectic

Le Groupe Optique Plus has introduced two new lines, Tulipe Noire and De Stijl. Worlds apart in style, these two collections are both designed and manufactured by the Dutch company, Eurovisie.

Tulipe Noire eyewear, part of the You’s series, is distinguished by a trendy design and a perfect finish. The eight models for women, currently being offered by the distributor in four colours, are specifically designed for those looking for recognition of their personal identity – stylish, distinctive and high quality.

Floral prints are at the base of the Tulipe Noire ladies’ collection. The temples feature elegant, stylised floral motifs which add that chic look to them. The styles and motifs are available in a balanced range of neutral colours, set against a black or other deep colour background.

On the other hand, the De Stijl collection, named after a Dutch movement of the ‘20s, follows in the footsteps of the artists that founded this organization. Each model’s basic design is a search for harmony through the use of lines and right angles and for the balance between the colours underlining the composition. The various elements are combined into an architectural entity without the use of screws or welding on the hinges, which is the real masterpiece within each frame.

All metal components used in De Stijl frames are manufactured from stainless steel. The highly durable, non-allergenic material provides a very comfortable wear. Ion Plating technology has been used to create the majority of the colour tones. Originating in the aviation industry, this technology ensures an extremely durable coloured layer. Le Groupe Optique Plus offers 11 models for men, each one in a choice of four different colours.

Essilor Canada Presents Mr Orange

Winner of the Silmo d’Or 2011 for the Material/Instrument category, Mr Orange, the digital edging system of Essilor, is now available to Canadian eyecare professionals.

Why a rather odd name for a digital edging system? With qualities more like those of a partner than a machine, Mr Orange was named for the numerous functions and energy it brings to the workshop: global management of curved jobs up to base 9, optical tracing of demo lenses, drilling functions and more. And thanks to its centering aid function and its new cycle dedicated to hydrophobic lenses, it offers ECPs outstanding control over each job.

Combined with the Essibox server, Mr Orange also raises the standards of inter-connectivity in the shop, thereby offering even more services, including remote maintenance, data sharing, and regular updates. This ultra-efficient team will optimise workshop management and give eyecare professionals more time to deal with their customers.

Free Low Vision Webinars Available

Eschenbach is pleased to offer on-line low vision education on a variety of topics to assist practitioners in maximizing their low vision patient outcomes. The topics range from device category reviews to clinical and practice management topics including clinical tips, patient case studies and marketing. These 1-hour webinars are easy to attend and convenient – just log in from your office and watch, listen and learn. For more information, click on the Upcoming Webinars link in theResourceCenterfor Professionals at Eschenbach’s website (www.eschenbach.com). 

Upcoming Webinar Schedule:

December 7, 2011

Streamlining the Low Vision Exam in 2011

December 21, 2011

Video Magnifiers – Altering text and images the easy way