Kenta styles MA32 (top) and ERI-BZ (bottom)

The New Vintage

Sama launches Kenta with legendary optical designer

In collaboration with legendary optical designer Takumi Koh Sakai and his son Kenta, Sama Eyewear recently launched the Kenta collection, intended to recreate vintage design but adapt it with the latest design, technology, and manufacturing processes available today. The company refers to it as, "redefining the art of function," with new vintage looks emulating simplicity.

The collection consists of 16 styles, including exclusive Japanese zyls; metals, such as cobalt; metal/plastic combination styles; and two styles featuring a new two-piece mount technology. Special features include saddle bridges, casting on certain styles, exposed hinges, and plastic frames hand-sculpted from single sheets to ensure a consistent color flow. The line wholesales from $98 to $108.

As with all Sama Eyewear designs, 50 percent of proceeds from the Kenta collection will benefit the Sam Vaziri Foundation's worldwide efforts to combat drug abuse among today's young adults. For more information, call Sama Eyewear at 877-788-SAMA.

Wrangler styles Cheyenne (top) and Duster (bottom)

From the Ranch

Gargoyles debuts Wrangler to lifestyle consumers

With its high name-awareness among consumers, Gargoyles, Inc. hopes to capitalize on the Wrangler brand with the introduction of Wrangler Eyewear. It's intended to attract top western athletes and value-conscious lifestyle consumers who want eyewear with protective qualities for participation in equine, rodeo, hunting, and other activities to protect them from natural elements such as sun and debris.

The collection includes eight styles-sporting names such as Champ, Frontier, and Duster. The line offers five injected nylon frames, which feature silicone nose-pads and non-slip temples. Three metals are available in the line. Colors range from black/charcoal and matte copper/bronze to midnight blue and tortoise. All frames have polycarbonate lenses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. The line wholesales from $39 to $49.

Point-of-purchase materials include a 12-piece oak counter display and a horizontal mirror. For more information, call Gargoyles, Inc. at 800-834-197.

Hanae Mori Paris styles HP3382 and HP1100

Butterflies Are Free

Nikon brings Hanae Mori Paris to the U.S.

Hanae Mori has fused her Asian design sensibility with Western innovation to create a new line of eyewear. Since her signature logo is a butterfly, it's no surprise that Mori's "art in motion" apparel has captivated audiences along the catwalks of Paris for 30 years.

And her new eyewear stays true to her design themes. Frames are made of lightweight titanium and top-grade plastics in semi-rimless, rimless and, of course, butterfly shapes. The ophthalmic collection includes nine styles with six frames in titanium, two in plastic and one in metal.

The sunwear collection includes seven styles with four metallic frames and three plastic styles. The Hanae Mori Paris eyewear collection is distributed in the United States exclusively through Nikon Eyewear. Frames wholesale for $125. Point-of-purchase materials include counter mats, an easel back logo and display cases. Call Nikon Eyewear at 800-RX-NIKON.

Ocean Drive styles Splashed C2 (top) and While Cap (bottom)

Cruisin' South Beach

Moja Design Debuts Ocean Drive Eyewear

South Beach, Miami, with its famous Art Deco architecture in bright pastel colors, has garnered a reputation as the American Riviera. Tourists from all over the world flock to this hot spot for a dose of sun and fun. And when they want to find out what's happening where, they turn to Ocean Drive magazine. Dubbed the "bible" of South Beach, it's named after the popular street at the heart of the action. Now devotees of the South Beach experience can wear hip eyewear that reflects their lifestyle, thanks to the launch of Moja Design's Ocean Drive Eyewear collection.

The line consists of 10 zyl sunglass styles and eight zyl and monel ophthalmic models with wholesales ranging from $35 to $40. South Beach's Art Deco hotels inspire the collection's pastel color palette, and many frames are made with double and triple laminates. There are also fashion-tinted lenses and laser-cut detailing at the temple on logos. All frames have flex hinges. Point-of-purchase materials include a three-piece Art Deco display; double-sided countercards with Ocean Drive images, and Ocean Drive magazines. For more information, call 888-576-MOJA.

Altitude styles Vapor and Tundra

Take it to the Limit

Bolle introduces the Altitude collection

For those die-hard athletes who want to push their performance to the edge and beyond, Bolle now offers sunglasses that are up to the challenge of high-performance sports. The Altitude collection combines state-of-the-art technology in both frame and lens design. The Tundra was developed as the ultimate mountain sunglass, with sculpted interchangeable side cups for protection at high altitudes. It includes an integrated neck cord and wire core temples. The Vapor is an extreme wraparound with a head-hugging profile that augments peripheral vision protection-making it ideal for biking. The Spiral offers benefits for cold weather sports. This style has insulated temples to maintain a secure fit at extreme temperatures. It features PC polarized Sandstone Gold AR lens that offers full polarization, anti-reflection coating and a full mirror front. Wholesale prices for the Altitude collection range from $50 to $55. For more information call 800-22-BOLLE. EB