Archives de l’auteur : Envision Magazine

Otto Kern Launches Its New Carbon Fibre Eyewear Collection

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Otto Kern Launches Its New Carbon Fibre Eyewear Collection

The famous German manufacturer Otto Kern, world renowned for its perfumes, clothing and accessories lines, has just launched its new line of rimless eyewear made of carbon fibre and titanium.

Carbon fibre is a light, resistant material used in aeronautics, for instance in the manufacturing of the Airbus A380 and the space shuttle wings, to name two. The qualities of this fibre are now used to manufacture ever-lighter and sturdier frames.

The Otto Kern collection offers carbon temples with a refined look and avant-garde design, in two shades: black and light grey. The weave of the carbon fibre creates the illusion of a 3D holographic picture. The lugs and bridge made of titanium come in different styles and colours. An added feature is that the Otto Kern temples are reinforced with a titanium rod, thus offering better performance and more flexibility.

A large selection of presentation lens shapes will appeal to an extensive clientele. The screwless mounting does not present a problem for labs and ensures very good stability for the lenses.

The Otto Kern frames, which come with a case and a two-year guarantee, are distributed inCanadaby Optique Vision 2000.

Optical Expressions Adds Two Italian Lines to its Product Range

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Optical Expressions Adds Two Italian Lines to its Product Range

Optical Expressions has chosen to expand its eyewear portfolio with two new collections, Blackfin and Bioeyes, designed and produced inItalyby Pramaor. This company, founded in Agordo in 1971, has been the main partner of the best brands and companies in the world, producing outstanding products in titanium.

The Blackfin line is a pure synthesis of style and technology, combining a strong and dynamic image with the technological values of titanium. The taut lines of this collection embody the style of those who are always on the front line, giving them a contemporary and vanguard image.

The temples and plaque holders are made from a thin sheet of beta titanium. This allows great flexibility and adaptability, which results in a very comfortable fit. The Blackfin collection features 26 ophthalmic styles and five sunwear models. They are all unisex, but colour generally determines who will wear the frame. The sunglasses, sophisticated and high performance, are mounted with extremely impact-resistant, high quality optical lenses. They offer base eight lenses with prismatic correction for perfect vision without distortion.

The Bioeyes line represents the evolution of ultra-light titanium products for a world that looks to the infinitely small, to nanotechnology and to the essentials. The experience that comes from daily use of Bioeyes glasses is in line with a lifestyle that looks to well-being, naturalness and simplicity. All the components – hooks, nose pads and bridge – which make up the new series of rimless Bioeyes BE626 Air XP frames are created from a single piece of titanium without any soldering, thanks to CNC (computer numerical control) technology. This technology is essential to producing the highest levels of finish, quality, strength, adaptability and adjustment available on a rimless frame.

High reliability and minimalist design are characteristic of the Bioeyes frames. Eleven styles are currently available but Optical Expressions will launch new models with detailed temples in January.

“We are very excited about the Blackfin and Bioeyes collections,” saysLinda Sandlerof Optical Expressions. “They are technologically advanced and they excel in their contemporary appearance and style.”

Tura and Ted Baker Renew License Agreement

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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.

Unveiling of Paolo Rossini New Line

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Unveiling of Paolo Rossini New Line

Optika Eyewear has totally revamped its Paolo Rossini collection with brand new models. The collection, which was started back in 2000, features Italian designs and frames made from the highest quality, presents 20 new styles for the winter.

The super light weight stainless steel frames are for both men and women.

For men, classic fitting fronts with expressive temples, like metal inserts or faux wood, will make a bold statement.

For ladies, laser etched design patterns on temples and an excellent lens depth for progressive eyewear users. Some models feature triple layer acetates with a modern vintage flair.

Pricing remains extremely competitive and all frames come with a two-year guaranty.

Georges et Phina Unveils Two New Brands: Glossi and Linkskin

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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

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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

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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.

A Bouncy Line

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A Bouncy Line

The brand new Bounce collection takes us back to the Bellinger universe with daring colour combinations mixed with unique cuttings that made the designer famous worldwide. This amazing line is distributed inCanadaby Prisme Optical Group.

Bounce is a creative and beautiful acetate collection featuring seven new models that will emphasize the right look for the intellectual architect, vibrant art director, or stylish manager.

Bounce combines acetate with a metal piece on the temple that resembles a spring, designed with both an aesthetic and functional purpose. The metal piece makes the temple flexible as it acts and looks like a spring hinge, making the frames easy to adjust. This piece adds bounce, life and colour to the model and sets it apart from other acetate frames. The fit is superb.

Bounce is bountiful in colours – from the Danish red/white, to orange and tortoise to beautiful deep purple and blue. The metal piece is either in bright contrast colours, or more neutral shades that set off the acetate perfectly.

DrPatch Launches an Innovative Tool

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DrPatch Launches an Innovative Tool

The path of a healthy lifestyle is directly linked to having the right information at the right time. Yet in the eyecare field, patients must usually scramble to keep track of a good deal of information from various professionals, sorting it out on their own.

To help them document the health of their eyes, DrPatch has created two distinctive visual health records. The Eyeful is designed for children while the Visionary aims at adults. Each 24 pages unit contains the following elements:

–          Beautiful illustrations of the eye anatomy to exemplify the explanations of the eyecare professional;

–          Information on the patient’s prescription;

–          Pages for notes about frames and contact lenses;

–          Space to write down appointments with ECPs;

–          A useful glossary on scientific terms;

–          Pages for notes related to one’s eye health;

–          A handy pocket for prescriptions.

These elements are highlighted by a unique, distinctive, graphic design that will encourage patients to bring their visual health record with them when they visit their eyecare professionals. Thus, all relevant information is within convenient reach in a single, comprehensive, document.

ECPs can distribute versions of the DrPatch visual health record carrying their own brand to their clients. Its usefulness, unique graphic design and high print quality will strengthen the professional’s fame. It is thus an effective loyalty building tool and the ideal complement to existing promotional initiatives.

For details, go on Web at www.eye-patch-info.com/patient-health-record.html.

GPS Audio and Assistance Sensor Designed to Transform Peoples’ Lives

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By Evra Taylor

The rights of the visually impaired and their access to services commonly available to sighted individuals often intersect with technology as new devices are introduced to make life easier and more streamlined.

While the sighted world celebrates the convenience and ease of global positioning system (GPS) technology to guide it through city roads and highways, the technology has no meaning to the visually impaired who cannot drive a car.

However, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta have developed an audio navigation system called SWAN, or the System for Wearable Audio Navigation, to help those with visual impairment navigate their surroundings and recognize what is in their immediate environment along the way.

The person wears a backpack containing a small laptop, and a series of beeps guides them, with different sounds indicating objects like park benches or obstacles such as fire hydrants.

Bruce Walker, assistant professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Psychology and College of Computing, developed the SWAN system with computer science expert Frank Dellaert and several colleagues. “At this point, SWAN is a research project only. We have been studying how such a device could be designed to help blind and low vision people move from place to place. We have a very sophisticated, fully functioning system, but it is only a prototype.”

Walker and his team are also working on a universal set of audio cues. For example, a knocking sound might signal an office door or a series of chords could indicate a skyscraper. SWAN is currently limited to the outdoors but developers are looking at using cameras to make it work inside, as well.

While SWAN represents a major advance in technology for the visually impaired, it is only one of several acoustical GPS systems. The Sendero Group (www.senderogroup.com) began developing accessible GPS in 1993 and their software is now at the core of four of six accessible GPS systems, including BrailleNote, Mobile Geo, Braille Sense and the Pac Mate/StreetTalk. In 2010, Sendero Group expanded on their available platforms and added the Sendero LookAround GPS application for the iPhone. What makes this company special is that most staff are visually impaired. They know from experience that orientation and mobility skills and tools for blind folks are essential to living a successful life.

Another form of adaptive technology for the visually impaired is the Assistance Sensor, an ultrasonic sensor system that improves mobility by detecting and signalling obstacles as one walks along the street. Three wearable sensors are clipped to the user’s clothing and connect to a small battery pack; wires worn under the clothing connect the sensors to the battery pack. The sensors send signals to the receiver housed in an adjustable wristband, which vibrates every time the sensors detect an obstacle — the closer an object, the more intense the vibration.

The Assistance Sensor, which is currently at the prototype stage, was developed by Ursulla Uelzhoeffer of Roselle Park, NJ. “This is a fantastic aid for the visually impaired,” she noted in a statement. “It is a sophisticated and cost-effective means of improving their mobility. The Assistance Sensor is compact, lightweight and wearable, and provides a hands-free navigation tool which is vitally important for the person who needs this device.” Visit www.virtual-prototype.com/?id=3502 for more information.

Basic abilities the sighted take for granted – such as reading street signs and signals, navigating their environment and overall ease of mobility – represent major hurdles for the visually impaired. Some of these challenges have been addressed by governmental bodies, researchers and disability activists with the goal of making the world an easier place for those who lack sight.

The Canadian Council of the Blind (http://ccbnational.net/content/) has lists of blindness organizations, blind-related links and technology products with useful information eyecare practitioners can share with their patients and their families.