Shining

Ogi_ShiningEntering the market as a leader in modern style, the Ogi Eyewear model 4303 embodies pure delicacy through its luminescent presence. With rich designer details, such as a
noteworthy vellum inlay and an intricate designed bridge, the 4303 is truly amazing. This desirable metal is available in four designer colour schemes of abalone pearl/sea green, golden walnut/peru, stardust ribbon/purple and twilight streamer/burgundy.

The classic almond-shaped cat eye meets luxurious modern innovation with the 4303. Ogi Eyewear applies its signature channel-setting technique, with inlaid textured panels of luminous shell-like, wooden and striped patterns. Featuring unexpected details, including colour coordinated rivets and a particularly unique bridge, the model is truly individual.

New Luxury Men’s Collection to Plan “B” Eyewear’s Portfolio

StaagPlan “B” Eyewear announces its new, high-end men’s collection, Staag Spectacles. Overbuilt and exceptionally well-designed, Staag cuts a swath through the mundane in men’s eyewear. Five- and seven-barrelled hinges combined with mitred joints are the result of an unmatched attention to detail. Block and beta titanium, alongside Mazzucchelli cured acetate, ensure outstanding quality. Bold, unique and masculine, Staag Spectacles deliver rugged refinement.

Staag Spectacles is an exclusive collection of 12 models, nine of them in the highest quality acetate and three in block and beta titanium. The frames themselves aspire to great things; each one is named after an important and influential man from fiction or history. Colour and shape are truly inspired. Bold orange, blue and red sit alongside exquisite tortoise, demi and two-toned browns. The colour techniques and finishes used in the collection are among the most advanced in the industry.

Plan “B” Eyewear invites attendees to Vision Expo West 2014 to come and see Staag Spectacles products at booth G23031.

Nikon Introduces New Kids Line

NikonSummer holidays are winding down, which means it’s time for parents to prepare their kids for ‘back to school’. Nikon Optical Canada took this opportunity to launch Nikon Kids, a new series of single vision lenses, designed especially for children up to 15 years of age.

“With the start of a new school year, a trip to an eyecare professional will be top of mind for many families,” says Isabelle Mongeau, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Nikon Optical Canada. “Knowing that children can benefit visually and psychologically from proper lenswear, Nikon developed their kids’ package to support practitioners who fit this clientele. Every child is different, from the activities they enjoy to the way they act and think. Professionals can now offer even their youngest patients quality choices as unique as they are.”

Nikon Kids are available in two packages – Performance and Resistance. The 1.60 high index material of the first package delivers superior optical performance. Even better vision is achieved, thanks to Nikon ICE with advanced scratch resistance, anti-glare and easy-to-clean properties, as well as SeeCoat Blue to protect teens’ eyes against the negative effects of prolonged exposure to digital devices and artificial lighting.

The Resistance package is designed to stand up to even the toughest kid. Ultra-safe, shatterproof polycarbonate is made tougher yet with Nikon H scratch-resistant coating or Nikon HCC coating with scratch-resistance and anti-glare properties.

Both packages are offered in a comprehensive range (Rx and stock), at a price parents are sure to like. All lenses feature lightweight, durable materials with built-in 100 per cent UV protection, sure to keep up with any kid’s active lifestyle.

Nikon Kids are backed by an 18-month warranty that includes one replacement pair of lenses as the child’s prescription demands change.

Sàfilo and Tommy Hilfiger Renew Their Licensing Agreement

Safilo_TommySàfilo Group and the Tommy Hilfiger Group, which is wholly owned by PVH Corp., announced a five-year renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement for the exclusive design, development, production and distribution of the Tommy Hilfiger ophthalmic and sunglass collections. The agreement will run until December 31, 2020, with an optional five-year extension thereafter.

“We are very pleased to announce the early renewal of this important license, which seals the mutual trust between our two companies,” said Luisa Delgado, CEO of the Sàfilo Group. “We have achieved excellent results to date for Tommy Hilfiger eyewear, thanks to a seamless partnership that proved particularly effective for the quality design, product development, marketing, communication and distribution of the brand.”

“Sàfilo is a valued partner of the Tommy Hilfiger brand, and we are excited to renew this licensing agreement,” added Daniel Grieder, CEO of the Tommy Hilfiger Group. “Sàfilo’s long-standing global excellence in the eyewear industry, and their reputation for quality and innovation, are core values which continue to perfectly support our brand’s global premium and aspirational product positioning.”

Since establishing the global eyewear licensing agreement in late 2010, Sàfilo and the Tommy Hilfiger Group have partnered to consolidate and grow the Tommy Hilfiger brand’s global eyewear distribution business. During the forthcoming five-year term, the partnership will focus on expanding distribution in Asia and Latin America – both key markets with significant potential for expansion and category growth.

Everybody can be so Dutz!

DutzIt’s been a year since the Dutch celebrated the coronation of a new King and Queen of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Maxima. A very special moment in the history of the Netherlands. During the inauguration, Queen Maxima wore a stunning royal blue dress with lace and beading at the neckline designed by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau. The subtle glamour of the dress ensured that Maxima was at the center of attention next to Willem-Alexander. Immediately after the ceremony, the posts on social media were very clear, the international fashion scene crowned Maxima as the new queen of fashion.

As a leading Dutch eyewear brand, Dutz joined the April 2014 “Koningsdag” (Kings Day) celebrations, creating their own Dutz Queen in Royal Blue, especially for the occasion. Dutz eyewear is distributed in Canada by Audace Lunettes.

WestGroupe to Launch New Balance Kids Eyewear for Summer 2014

 

WestGroupeWestGroupe is pleased to announce an agreement with Eyewear Designs Ltd. for the Canadian distribution rights for New Balance Kids Eyewear.

“We are extremely excited about the launch of New Balance Kids as it is a great addition to our kids frame portfolio which includes Superflex kids and Hello Kitty,” states Beverly Suliteanu, VP of product development for WestGroupe. The NBK collection is targeted at boys age 7-13 and is perfect for those leading an active lifestyle. Styling is on-trend, with a mix of metal and acetate models. “Durability is key for this collection as boys tend to be rough on their frames”, says Suliteanu. “So an 180-degree spring hinge is used on all styles, providing an extra dose of strength and comfort”.

“The New Balance brand is synonymous with fit and comfort,” continues Suliteanu. “It is vitally important that children wear their glasses. Parents love the New Balance Kids collection due to the frames being comfortable and strong, while the kids love the sporty, cool styling.”

The collection will be launched in the Back-to-School season with six styles, including five metal and one acetate model, and will include a New Balance case. In-store merchandising consists of a New Balance nameplate.

Zyloware Releases New Brand Red Tiger

Zyloware

After experiencing great success with last summer’s release of their women’s designed to fit collection, Red Lotus by Zyloware™, Zyloware has developed Red Tiger by Zyloware™, the same concept, but for men.

Most eyewear is designed to fit Caucasian features, but many Europeans, Asians, and other ethnicities have different facial structures. The Red Tiger by Zyloware collection specifically addresses fitting challenges and aims to sit comfortably on the wearer’s nose, provide extra headroom at their temples and won’t rest on their cheekbones or sit too high or too low. All styles incorporate adjustable gooseneck nosepads and a wider angle of flare to accommodate those with a flatter bridge and high cheekbones.

The Red Tiger AM 501Z is a full rim rectangular-shaped zyl frame. The sleek metal plaque embellishment on the zyl temple is in an attractive unique boomerang shape and features a ribbed design. The wider angle of flare on this model provides extra headroom and comfort for the wearer.

The rectangular-shaped Red Tiger AM 504M is a full rim metal frame offered in two bold colours. The wrapping metal endpiece is extended, providing the wearer with a wider angle of flare and more headspace. The metal temples feature an eye-catching repeating pattern in an arrow shape. The frame has zyl temple tips and spring hinges for comfort and superb fit.

The Red Tiger AM 505M is a semi-rimless metal model in a rectangular shape. The metal endpiece features a ribbed design and connects the metal front to the thin zyl temples. Spring hinges provide comfort and streamlined fit for the wearer.

The Red Tiger AM 507Z is an on-trend full rim zyl frame with two metal rivets on the front for appeal. The rectangular model is offered in three fashionable colours and displays two metal rivets on the zyl temple. This frame incorporates adjustable gooseneck nosepads that allow the frame to rest comfortably on the wearer’s nose.

Licensed Sesame Street Children’s Eyewear Launches in North America

SesameStreeti. Frame is pleased to announce the North American launch of their licensed Sesame Street ophthalmic eyewear collection. i. Frame’s founder and President Don Armstrong said he was greatly inspired by the mission of the iconic brand and has created a fashionable, high-quality collection of colourful branded eyewear for children aged 2-12.

The Sesame Street collection incorporates the industry-leading OBE Uno Flex Hinge Sesame2technology for maximum durability and it complies fully with the CPSIA’s (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) testing standards for children’s products.

i. Frame has been designing and distributing fashion eyeglass frames in Canada and the U.S. for 14 years and was thrilled when given the opportunity to work with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street.

The collection was officially launched at the recent 2014 Vision Expo East in New York, and consists of 24 styles in three colours per model, including acetate, combination and TR-90 styles.

Frames come with Sesame Street cases, imprinted with a large group of characters, and a P.O.P. Hasbro plush character is available for product display.

Association

PlanBPlan “B” Eyewear introduces the new Glacée 6607, a bold frame shape combined with exquisite eye-catching colour. These two definitive Glacée design elements intertwine to create depth of colour and a strong sense of style.

The 6607’s colour application goes above and beyond the standard. A bold black and orange combo creates the playful illusion of a cat eye frame. Two more colour combinations include petrol-grey and a purple-pink stripe. Delicate, layered metal temples compliment an amazing acetate front.

Emilio Pucci and Marcolin Sign a License Agreement

MarcolinMarcolin Group and Emilio Pucci have teamed up for a worldwide exclusive license agreement for the design, production and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses for Emilio Pucci. The license, effective January 2015 with the launch of the first sunglasses collection, will run for five years and is renewable.

Giovanni Zoppas, CEO of Marcolin Group, says: ”We are very pleased to include Emilio Pucci in our licensing portfolio, a brand with a unique and extraordinary heritage, iconic and with a great and long-standing tradition. In common with them we have the high affinity for attention to the product and to the brand codes and values: these elements let us successfully face a more and more challenging market. Our product offering including Emilio Pucci will provide additional quality to the women’s universe that we address”.

Laudomia Pucci, CEO of Emilio Pucci, stated: “We’re enthusiastic to work with Marcolin Group. Both companies are bearers of Italian values and able to interpret with creativity and innovation the heritage and patrimony to which they are international witnesses. The continuous research of innovative materials, design and quality represent the great asset of this partnership. The agreement allows the product reinforcement in its global dimension, aiming to grow in traditional and new markets following the Pucci brand solidification and expansion”.

The timeless fashion brand Emilio Pucci is synonymous with luxury, colour, design and “joie de vivre”, represented in its famous prints, innovative silhouette and fabrics that go beyond seasonal trends, for more than 60 years.

Marchon, whose current license will expire on December 31, 2014, launched the collection in 2008.