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.”

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.

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.

Sàfilo and Kate Spade New York Renew License Agreement

Sàfilo Group and Kate SpadeNew Yorkhave announced the renewal of their license agreement untilDecember 31, 2015for the design, production and international distribution of Kate SpadeNew York’s women optical frames, sunglasses and related eyewear products for the brand.

The multi-year agreement and additional three-year renewal option extends a partnership originally forged in 2005.

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Kate SpadeNew York, one of the most innovative American brands, a leader in the fashion industry. In these seven years of collaboration we have achieved unexpected results with this project and we are certain that the future will give us new satisfaction,” said Roberto Vedovotto, CEO of Sàfilo Group.

Craig A. Leavitt, CEO of Kate SpadeNew York, added: “We are proud to continue our successful run in the eyewear category with Sàfilo. The partnership has been strong in carrying on the heritage and aesthetic of the Kate SpadeNew Yorkbrand. We are excited to see strong new collections that this partnership will bring in the upcoming seasons.”

Nikon in Bases 3 and 5

With the ever-increasing demand for high base frames, Nikon introduces bases 3 and 5 to its latest lens innovations: SeeMax Power AP and Presio Power. Fitting the wrong lens curve in a given frame creates warp and distortion. The base 3 and the base 5 options now allow the transfer of a given prescription to a different base curve to match the frame’s profile while maintaining optical integrity.

The SeeMax Power AP personalized, double-sided aspheric progressive lens and the Presio Power digital progressive lens with dual power design in base 3 and 5 offer an even wider availability range compared to the Nikon W base 5.

SeeMax Power AP and Presio Power in bases 3 and 5 are now available in 1.60, 1.67 and 1.74 indices and in SeeCoat, HCC ICE and HCC coatings. The base 3 is offered in a total sphere of -10.00D to +4.00D, cylinder -6.00D, and base 5 is available in a total sphere of -9.00D to +6.00D, cylinder -6.00D.

Ordering SeeMax Power AP or Presio Power in bases 3 or 5 is simple. All that’s needed is the measurement of the frame’s base curve with a lens clock or with the Nikon Lens Curve Measure tool.

Nine West with Marchon

The Jones Group has entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Marchon Eyewear for the creation, production, marketing and global distribution of ophthalmic eyewear frames and prescription-ready sunglasses under the Nine West brand.

Under the agreement, the Nine West ophthalmic eyewear collection will be marketed and sold globally in upscale optical chains and optical specialty retailers and by individual eyecare professionals beginning in early January 2012.

Richard Dickson, The Jones Group President and CEO of Branded Businesses, stated: « We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Marchon for Nine West optical eyewear. Nine West’s origins as a premier global fashion brand allow us to extend it into relevant categories, particularly accessories such as eyewear; a perfect fit for Nine West. We believe this collaboration with Marchon will further enhance Nine West’s powerful brand message in the global optical arena. »

Claudio Gottardi, Marchon Eyewear President and CEO, stated: « We are very excited and proud to be embarking on this new license with Nine West. We recognize their commitment to providing women with on-trend, high-quality products, and we believe this will be a fantastic addition to our ever-expanding global portfolio. We are confident this partnership will be mutually beneficial. »

A New Look for Ronor

Ronor International took the opportunity of the Salon Vision 2011 which took place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on October 21 and 22 to launch the celebrations for its 30^th anniversary. It was a perfect starting point and a real success. The company also chose this important date to reinvent its image and unveil its new official colours: orange, white and black.

The new look of Ronor was very well defined by the elegant decor it created for the event. Totally composed with the new brand’s colours, we could really feel the dynamism and refinement of the new company’s image. All the guests were invited to relax at the bar and take in the performance of the special guest, magician, Luc Langevin, who also graduated with a master’s degree in optics.

opti’12 Kicks off the New Year

opti’12 will kick off the new year, running from January 13 to 15, 2012. New brands will be premiered, designers will introduce the coming year‘s trends and key players from Germany and abroad will present their innovations in ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses and frames.

The four exhibition halls at opti’12 will provide many new stimuli, challenges and ideas to opticians, contact lens specialists and representatives from within the industry and the wholesale trade.

The Walk of Frame at the centre of Hall C1, for instance, around which lifestyle brands and attractive collections are displayed, will provide visitors with a consolidated sampling and quick overview of trends to be in the four up-and-coming seasons. The Walk of Frame, a boulevard with glass display cases, will showcase highlights of opti’12’s  premieres. The dedicated YES! area (Hall C4), in which exhibitors will be able to introduce their new collections to the public for the first time, will allow visitors to experience the many nuances of innovative, original, unusual and contemporary design.

“As in the past, this year will have new brands that will cause quite a stir. Halls C2 and C3 will be where the market leaders in the manufacturing of frames, ophthalmic lenses and contact lenses present their new lines. opti’12 will also provide trade visitors with everything there is to know about technical equipment, precision tools and low-vision aids,” explains Dieter Dohr, chairman of the executive board of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.

Further, the opti-Forum provides crucial stimuli for all areas of day-to-day business, marketing and sales. All contributions will be simultaneously translated into English.

Intriguing Intricates

Tura releases new styles with the grouping of four beautiful designs. The Intricates collection brings refreshing details and offers frames with unique feminine appeal.

Each design is unique with a special temple treatment featuring particular use of material or colour processes. Designs 656 and 684 use a cloisonné colour treatment – especially pretty using translucent cloisonné with special colour placement. Design 655 incorporates a lattice design with unique temple and end piece curves to create a flow of intrigue. Design 665 features an attractive zyl insert with a quilt-like design created by a laser engraving technique.

Due to the care put into each of these designs, the Intricates collection can’t help but to evoke a feeling of luxury.

New Fall Releases for Fysh UK

Fysh UK introduces seven new models for the 2011 Fall collection. The line, distributed by Wescan Optical, features a variety of shapes in rich autumnal colours reflecting the 2011 Fall trends seen on the runway ranging from deep teals to deep purples.

F-3449, F-3451 and F-3452 are constructed with TR-90 temples, which are extremely lightweight and flexible for added comfort. F-3451 is a semi-rimless model with a “new age” pop art inspired design, while F-3449 is a full rim retro model with a relaxed cat eye shape and enough depth to incorporate progressive lenses.

F-3450 has a vintage inspired shape with a three dimensional woven temple design available in this Fall’s hottest colours: purple honeysuckle, aubergine mint, brown lemon and teal coral.

The new Fysh collection adds character and style with innovative and abstract designs with a modern edge in eye sizes that range from 51 to 54.