Younger Honored with 2 OLA Awards of Excellence

Younger Optics received two OLA Awards of Excellence this year at the annual OLA Awards of Excellence meeting on September 22^nd in Las Vegas, NV. This marks the OLA Awards of Excellence 25^th anniversary. During these 25 years, Younger Optics has received a total of 24 Awards of Excellence.

One of the awards presented to Younger Optics this year was in the Best in Lens Design category for the ADAGE^® Progressive Lens. This is Younger’s third award in this category.

Younger Optics also won an Award of Excellence in the Best in Lens Materials category for NuPolar^® 1.67 high index. This is Younger Optics’ sixth Award of Excellence in this category. Previous materials that won this award include NuPolar^® Trilogy^® Visual Armor^® in 2010, Drivewear^® in Polycarbonate in 2008, Drivewear^® Activated by Transitions^® in 2007, NuPolar^® Polycarbonate in 2004, and Trilogy^® in 2002.

Tura Announces Executive Changes

Tura, a member of the Eschenbach Group, announced executive leadership changes effective October 3. Scott Sennett has joined Tura as the new president and CEO. John Weir, in preparation for his retirement, will remain in an advisory role through the end of the year, while Keith Kamalich has been promoted to executive vice president.

Formerly president at the Oxford Apparel Group, Sennett will have responsibility for the general management of the company, including strategic planning, brand management, marketing, inventory, design, product development and new business development.

He brings to Tura over 24 years of leadership and general management experience in brand strategy, sales and marketing, licensing, merchandising, product development, supply chain and risk management as well as a consistent record of positive results working with leading retailers to develop licensed, branded and private label fashion accessories, apparel and eyewear.

“Scott’s extensive knowledge of the eyewear industry as well as his profound experience in theU.S.fashion business adds great value to Tura and its professional team. His investment in Tura is strong proof for his long-term commitment to sustain the impressive growth path of the company. At the same time, I would like to extend my thanks to John Weir for his dedication to Tura over the past 24 years, in which Tura continued to be an important U.S. eyewear company,” said Dr. Wolfgang Rebstock, CEO of the Eschenbach Group.

Gaultier and Mikli Show-off

Chance meetings are a natural occurrence when people run with the same crowds. Jean-Paul Gaultier does the costumes for movies by Peter Greenaway, Pedro Almodovar, Luc Besson, Jean Jeunet, and he also corsets Madonna’s body. Alain Mikli accessorizes fashion shows for Chantal Thomass, Donna Karan, Sonia Rykiel, Jil Sander, Claude Montana, Anne-Marie Berretta. Together, they’ve launched the Show-off collection.

“If you don’t have the physique of a model, you can still wear models’ glasses”, Mikli stated in a slogan which has since become iconic. For one and all – the everyday models and celebrities – 20 models emerge from this collection. Twelve ophthalmic styles and eight sunglasses shaded in three colours, to see as well as to be seen, with comfort. Multi-sided spectacles align with exotic accessories and edgy styles revealing, for example, striped temples and lace covered fronts. Chic, shock, and timeless all at once.

Marcolin Introduces New Diesel 2012 Collection

A new collaboration between Marcolin and Diesel gave birth to a new line which will be on the market in 2012. A preview campaign featured the unisex Double Trouble frames. The rivet decoration simulates an overlap effect while the asymmetric colour finishing displays an aesthetic versatility. Shiny and matt materials as well as contrasting colours on both the frame and temples emphasize the sunglasses’ multifaceted design, while embodying the Diesel heritage with its rock and roll edge.

The Diesel collection can be grouped into five divisions: high-end female frames with trendy shapes linked to the Diesel world of colours and details; high-end male frames truly representing Diesel DNA with materials such as studs, leather, and distressed metal; military/work-wear frames, a distinctly Diesel concept, in mainly male and unisex styles; vintage-inspired frames in sporty colours that use the logo as a graphic detail; and finally frames dedicated to a younger consumer, featuring Diesel twists and a wide array of bright colours.

Marc Tersigni New President of Essilor Canada

Marc Tersigni has been appointed president of Essilor Canada, taking over from Gérard Malledant, president of the Essilor Group in Canadasince May 2008. He took up his post on September 1^st.

Tersigni joined the Essilor Group inCanadain 1996. He successively held the positions of director business development (1996), director of sales Central region (1999), vice-president Canoptec sales and operations (2003), and vice-president Central region (2008). In October 2008, he was transferred to theUnited Kingdomfor the Essilor International group to become general manager of Essilor’sUKsubsidiary and subsequently director forUnited KingdomandIrelandregion in 2009.

PUMA Unveils its Autumn/Winter Collection

The PUMA SportLifestyle philosophy permeates the new PUMA optical collection. Inspired by the latest street wear trends in combination with track and field elements, all styles ensure a diverse range of must-have perfectly in line with the DJ attitude that characterises the brand.

Pared down light frame styles are given athletic appeal through contemporary sport-inspired design elements such as stripes and colouring. Great functionality is achieved by anti-slip rubber temples and ergonomic design.

This fun PU 15340 unisex style feels fresh and airy thanks to the light metal material and upbeat colour combinations. Simple frame fronts are given an athletic surge through sport-inspired zingy neon hues, rubber double-injection tips and the energetically leaping PUMA cat logo.

The challenging half-rim front and sturdy arms of the PU 15341 model contribute to this frame’s ergonomic design, achieving a perfect harmonization of functionality and comfort. This seriously stand-out style is inspired by this season’s colour blocking trend with strikingly toned injection temples coolly contrasted by matt metal temple and front.

Profit Center Lets ECPs Shine with Their Clientele

Microclair, the Canadian-owned global leader in lens care systems, has created a profit centre that enhances the ECP’s image, while providing their clientele with the classiest and most effective way to keep their lenses looking top-notch. The display will be available this September from Shilling Optical.

In fact, the creators of fine Swiss timepieces use Microclair superior-grade microfiber polishing material worldwide. They ship one with every order so that retailers can keep the product shining in the most professional manner possible.

In sync with the fashion face of eyewear, the elegant black and white Microclair display and product packaging reflects the world of haute couture, where small luxuries are truly appreciated.

The display fits anywhere and helps eyecare professionals leverage an extra sale, while informing consumers about the importance of maintaining the value of their investment. While polishing the client’s lenses before the final fitting ECPs can easily explain why they use Microclair’s laboratory-proven superior material, composed of 50 per cent nylon and 50 per cent polyester. Everyone can feel and even see the difference in the soft, thick, rich-feeling fabric. Most importantly, Microclair cloths are super-absorbent. Laboratory tests proved what hands know by touch: Microclair cloths have more microfibers per inch, which explains why they do their job so well.

No one would dream of spending hundreds of dollars or more on a pair of high-quality imported leather shoes and not protecting them from the elements. Just as footwear retailers have finessed the art of the upsell, so, too, can eyecare professionals influence customers to take care of the eyewear they love.

MOOD Eyewear Signs a Long-Term Distribution Agreement with OPO Design

MOOD Eyewear is proud to announce a new license distribution agreement with the creators of KUNOQVIST and KQ.

For over 15 years, OPO Design has been manufacturing and marketing quality Swedish eyewear. “We were looking for something fresh and creative, but most importantly, we wanted a product that would fill a gap in the market. For example, ‘KQ by Kunoqvist’ is a sub collection that exclusively targets small faces with deep eye shapes for progressive lenses,” says MOOD’s President André Bélanger.

Skaga Signs a Garden Shapes Collection for the Fall

This Fall, Garden Shapes is the design theme for the Skaga collection. Looking for the garden, the creative design team has drawn inspiration from the dynamics between nature’s own forces of wild growth and the structured shapes created by the human hand.

Billowing blades of grass winding around each other, the fantastic engineering skills of birds building their nests and trellis work transformed into functional designs are just a few examples of shapes and patterns inspired by the garden that can be seen behind the beautifully crafted details of this eyewear range.

The 2446 model presents an expressive and generous front. The colours are muted and understated yet have a light, lustrous feel thanks to the transparent acetate they are made from. The braided detailing on the titanium sidepieces is inspired by beautiful trellis work in a matt gold shade.

SILMO 2011 Is Stepping it up a Notch

Galvanising creativity, stimulating the imagination, facilitating visits by professionals, SILMO boasts an action packed programme with a variety of events complementing an impressive roster of exhibitors. Not to be missed:

• SILMOACADEMY(meeting centre hall 5): a major symposium intended for eyewear professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge. Topics to be addressed at this year’s event: children’s vision, reading and myopia.
• SILMO MERCHANDISING WORKSHOP (hall 6 – D124): Specialist merchandising support for all opticians wishing to generate more visitors to their store and make optimal use of their sales area.
• SILMO TRENDS VIEW: a trends lookbook presented in the form of an interactive digital magazine which can be viewed on a giant screen and on the exhibition website.
• SILMO D’OR awards (entrance to hall 6): the work of all those competing for the profession’s international awards will be on display before the awards ceremony.
• SILMO TV (hall 6 – D126): all the news from the profession with lively debates and interviews broadcast live by Acuité.
• SILMO LOW VISION (hall 5 – L28): information and awareness-raising on sight impairment.
• SILMO “FRENCH EXCELLENCE” (hall 6 – E 121): promotion of the French optics and eyewear sector, featuring the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF – Best craftspeople inFrance) and Alutec (technological eyewear association).
• SILMO STAR FOR A DAY (hall 6 – B 105): win a photoshoot with a fashion photographer (you will be automatically entered when you register for your badge at silmoparis.com).