Throughout the Ages... Nassau's Norma Kamali has multi-generational appeal

Nassau's Norma Kamali has multi-generational appeal

Five months after acquiring the license for the Norma Kamali eyewear collection, Nassau Vision Group is set to debut the designer's new ophthalmic line.

A leading American designer, Kamali is renowned for her use of color and contemporary styling. She has won numerous awards for her talents in many different areas, including women's fashion, architecture, and interior design.

Norma Kamali 7107 and 7112

According to Nassau, Kamali appeals to two demographics -- women who are familiar with her designs from the '60s through the '80s and their daughters. Kamali assisted in the development of the collection, which wholesales between $40 and $70.

The initial collection (a sunwear line is to follow) contains 14 ophthalmic styles, 10 of which are metal. Special features include double laminates and detailed end pieces on selected styles. Colors vary and include purely platinum, cherrywood, regal red, and mellow mauve. All styles are Italian crafted.

Merchandising materials available include a four-piece display, matching ID plaque, and countercard. For more information, call Nassau Vision Group at 888-767-0383.

As Good as Gold

Exclusiv debuts Chopard Lunettes

Hoping to draw on the success of the Chopard Jewelry and Watch collections, Exclusiv Eyewear, Inc. is distributing Chopard Lunettes exclusively in the United States, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Chopard Lunettes 6051 and 6062

The collection, which wholesales between $120 and $335, is geared toward women with "discriminating tastes," Exclusiv reports. Many of the frames boast "signature" trademarks of the company's jewelry and watch lines such as elephants and hearts. All frames are 23.5 carat gold-plated, numbered, and come with a case, cleaning cloth, warranty card, and image pamphlet.

The ophthalmic line offers "approximately 30 styles," available in gold or white gold. In sunwear, the company offers 20 designs, the majority of which are either plastic or a plastic/metal combination. Also offered are laminates of various colors, including traditional black and white. The remaining sunwear styles are available in gold or white gold.

Merchandising materials available include posters and countercards. Call Exclusiv Eyewear at 877-777-9397 for more information.

A Future of Femininity

Safilo teams modern and romantic with La Strada

In keeping with the evolving fashion trend of increased femininity, Safilo USA is launching the La Strada ophthalmic collection, a titanium line that, according to the company, "features ethereal yet functional designs."

La Strada 104 and 101

La Strada, which means "the street" in Italian, is designed for ladies between the ages of 40 and 65. The collection includes six sophisticated styles in mostly oval and round shapes. Special features include spring hinges on certain styles and soft, silicone nose pads.

Available in such rich hues as plum, burgundy, and tortoise, the frames, which also showcase stylish end-pieces, come with a microfiber cleaning cloth and a plum-colored La Strada case.

The collection wholesales between $54 and $62. In addition, a La Strada merchandising package, including a three-piece interchangeable display, is available.

For more information, call Safilo USA at 800-631-1188.

A Sunnier Side

Luxottica unveils Chanel Collection

A respected leader in the world of haute couture, Chanel is bringing its beloved double C logo to the optical industry with the premiere of its sunglass collection from Luxottica.

According to Chanel's managing director, Bruno Pavlovsky, the new line will "open doors to an even wider public, inviting it into a world where luxury and daring go hand in hand, and where originality is never sought at the expense of quality."

The Chanel collection comprises 18 styles -- 14 of which are plastic, with the remaining four metal.

Chanel 5019 and 4001

Special features include iridescent colors -- where the frame is one color but at different angles reflects other hues. The line also offers more traditional shades like black, beige, red, and moss.

The line wholesales between $66 and $87.

A variety of merchandising kits -- from a Chanel mirror to a nine-piece display case -- are also available.

Call Luxottica at 800-422-2020 for more information.

They Want Their MTV

Popular channel could be music to Logo's ears

At least that's what Logo of the Americas is hoping. The company is launching MTV sunwear to capitalize on the fact that the music channel is one of the most watched in the world (according to the Nielsen ratings) and that its young audience is estimated to be more than 30 percent of the nation's population.

MTV 2003 and 2000

Designed in collaboration with the network's creative team, the collection "reflects the diverse lifestyles and attitudes that make up the MTV audience," according to Logo.

The line consists of 12 unisex styles -- from wraps to small metals -- and is available in four different materials: plastic, combination metal and plastic, steel, and metal. Colors available include antique gold, mustard, burgundy, crystal, and turquoise.

The eyewear wholesales between $19.95 and $24.95.

Merchandising materials such as countercards, a 24-piece rotating display, a six-piece display, and poster are also available.

For information call Logo of the Americas at 800-556-5646..

HUGO -- Short for Young and Hip

New Charmant division distributes latest Boss collection

Charmant Group has created the Charmant Exclusive Division (CXD) to distribute the new Hugo Boss eyewear collection. HUGO Hugo Boss is a unisex high-end line that boasts 15 ophthalmic and 15 sun styles.

HUGO Hugo Boss 15807 and 15508

Designed by the former Optical Affairs co-founders Christian Roth and Eric Domege, the line is "young, unconventional, and trend-oriented," according to Charmant.

Of the ophthalmic styles, seven are acetate, three are stainless steel, two are an acetate/metal combination, and three are metal with a cloisonne treatment to create a lamination effect. The sun line also has seven styles made of acetate, as well as three in aluminum, three in an acetate/metal combination, and two metal styles with a cloisonne treatment.

The metals are available in such modern, classic colors as sterling silver, gunmetal, copper, and green metallic. Meanwhile, colors for the acetates include khakis, transparent laminations, earth tones, and blacks.

HUGO Hugo Boss wholesales between $74 and $118. Merchandising materials include a catalogue, banner, large and small leather frame holders, and posters. Call CXD at 877-CXD-4440 for more information.

The Spirit Continues

New Hilfiger collection from Lantis ready to go

Having acquired the ophthalmic license last summer for American designer Tommy Hilfiger's eyewear collection from Liberty Optical, Lantis Eyewear is gearing up to officially launch the line during the next few months. Lantis previously held the license for the sunwear line only.

Hilfiger TH-82 and 2454

According to Lantis, the Hilfiger collection offers styling that "juxtaposes classic and modern, traditional and urban hip." It unites vivid colors, rich materials, and innovative logo treatments for a look as distinctive as the designer's apparel.

Although the target audience for this ensemble is men and women ages 18 to 50, Hilfiger's ophthalmic line consists of mainly masculine styles.

There are 28 ophthalmic designs -- 23 of which are metals, the remaining five plastic. Ophthalmics wholesale between $52 and $92. The sunwear line has 27 men's styles, the majority of which are also metals. For women, the line boasts 31 designs -- 21 metals and 10 plastics. The sun line wholesales between $35 and $72.50.

The colors for metals include satin black, shiny navy, and antique silver. The hue choices for the plastics include Tommy Demi, grey horn, and blonde.

Lantis is offering a variety of merchandising materials, including a logo plaque, three-piece hi-lighter, mirror, and 40-piece countertop fixture. For more information, call Lantis Eyewear at 800-552-6847.