Vivienne Westwood styles VWSP107 (top) and VWM004 (bottom)

Queen of Extreme

Red Rose unveils the Vivienne Westwood collection

When Vivienne Westwood introduced punk style to the streets of London in the `70s, Britain was never the same. And even though she shifted her focus in 1994 by turning away from the youth culture in favor of traditional British style, she still won the British Designer of the Year award-twice. Now this prolific creator, dubbed the "Queen of Extreme," has brought her design sensibility to eyewear through a licensed distributorship with Red Rose. The collection, which includes 11 ophthalmic styles and 12 sunwear models, runs true to her nickname. On one frame, Westwood incorporates her signature tartan patterns with inlaid Swarovski crystals to create a bold, glam look.

At the other extreme, there's a low-key, semi-rimless style with tinted lenses. Wholesale prices range from $100 to $190. Point-of-purchase material includes a plaque presentation, window display poster, four-piece display, countercards, mirror, cube display, and shopping bags. For more information, call 800-848-5399.

Maui Jim styles Sunset (top) and Waimea Bay (bottom)

Get Out And Play

Maui Jim launches sport sunwear

Sporting the theme "Get out and play," Maui Jim has introduced a new sport line that combines the company's PolarizedPlus lens technology with eight-base wrap frames. For the first time, Maui Jim is offering its patented lens technology in polycarbonate lenses rather than glass. The lenses feature Maui Jim's proprietary ClearShell hard coat to provide scratch resistance on both sides. Lens colors are available in gray or Maui rose.

The Maui Jim sport line consists of four models and eight SKUs in rimless, semi-rimless, and full-frame nylon wrap frames. Names reflect Hawaiian surf spots to represent the go-for-it essence of this collection. Frame colors include smoke grey, matte root beer, gloss gunmetal, gloss charcoal, gloss black, and gloss dark tortoise. Lens air vents and rubber nose grips make the sunwear perfect for those who play hard. Each style wholesales for $64.50. Point-of-purchase materials include a 12-piece on-the-counter display, six-piece under-counter display, a logo plaque, special mirror as well as poster countercards and duratrans. For more information call 888-628-4546.

Mitani styles RE-2002 and RE-2004

Saved By A Turn

Mitani premieres Revolv

Thanks to Mitani's new patented eyewear collection-Revolv-lenses are protected from scratching whenever eyewear falls, through a unique bridge hinge that allows the frame to twist 180 degrees. The line is available in both prescription eyewear and sunwear with frames made of lightweight titanium alloy. The temples also feature a clip so frames can securely fasten to a pocket or belt loop. The collection includes four styles and six colors. Eyewear wholesales for $69, and the sunwear, which features polycarbonate polarized lenses, wholesales for $84. Each style comes with an eyeglass case. Point-of-purchase materials include a multi-frame counter top display and three-dimensional postcard, which illustrates how Revolv can turn. For more information call 800-470-0041. 

Nicole Miller styles Flying Ace (top) and Dot-com (bottom)

Ladies Who Launch

Signature Eyewear reintroduces Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller first gained attention as a designer with her tongue-in-cheek conversational menswear ties. And her new optical and sunwear styles-relaunched through Signature Eyewear-continue to delight with whimsical themes. The eyewear collection takes its inspiration from Miller's recent New York runway tribute to the "ladies who launch"-Websites that is. Clever Internet spoofs dominate eyewear names. There's She-mail, a soft rectangular style, and Dot-com a sleek cat-eye. Optical styles wholesale from $39.95 to $49.95. The sunwear collection plays off the optical line with iridescent plastics and sleek, sexy metals. Flying Ace is a feminine monel aviator with spring hinges and gradient lenses. All Nicole Miller sunwear is engineered for prescription use and features 100 percent UV 400 scratch-resistant CR39 Sola lenses. Wholesales range from $39.95 to $44.95. Point-of-purchase materials include a display logo plaque, single and multi-frame displays, as well as oversized postcard visuals. For more information call 1-800-765-EYES.

Cover Girl styles CG-103 and CG-105

Ready For Your Close Up?

Marine Optical introduces CoverGirl Eyewear

Here's a collection that's ideal for the woman who wants the clean, flawless look of a CoverGirl model. Contemporary shapes, spring hinges, and small frames give the Marine Optical line its hip appeal. Since color is key to the collection, zyls come in multiple shades, such as blueberry, midnight rose, and brandy. Even metals feature multiple colors. The line includes eight models. As a special incentive, a complimentary CoverGirl cosmetic tote comes with each frame. This promotion is available with the purchase of 24-place prepack CoverGirl frames. Dispensers will also receive a metal trunk with an assortment of CoverGirl cosmetics. Other P-O-P materials include an 8"x10" countercard, a 5"x7" countercard, a counter top multi-frame display, and logo plaque. For more information, call 800-444-9997. EB