Sunwear Solstice

Think you have a handle on your competition? Don't sit back quite yet. A new player is coming to town. LVMH Specialty Retail Concepts recently launched a new sunglass retail concept, called Solstice. The first Solstice store opened November 10, 1999 in Orlando, Fla. Additional stores will be opening this year. Assortments will include products from Boll�, Ray-Ban, Smith, cK, and Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few. The concept includes stores with a computer kiosk system, including a touch screen that takes the shopper's picture and suggests sunglasses.

Reality Check

Resistant to incorporating computers into your buying strategy? You should re-think that choice. The onset of electronic sample bags is becoming a strong reality. As frame vendors see the realities of the new millennium and look for ways to pare down their sample bags, many are turning to this high-tech alternative.

But don't worry, the high-tech rep isn't ready to take over just yet. Experts agree that buyers aren't quite ready, insisting the need to touch and feel product. Vendors are willing to wait-for now, but warn buyers to be ready when this reality sets in.

Perry Ellis for Women

Fashion Week may have just ended in New York, but designers for Perry Ellis decided to take a different approach to displaying their latest wares. Instead they steamed up the runway in Miami to introduce Perry Ellis America, which includes new looks for women for the first time in seven years. In conjunction with the apparel debut, Eyewear Designs plans to launch the Perry Ellis America eyewear collection, a young, weekend-wear collection. For more information, call Eyewear Designs at 800-645-6596.

Bridge to Couture

Ralph, Calvin, and Donna all do it. That is, offer consumers options from their bridge and couture eyewear collection. By offering both, many frame buyers are building smart assortments and attracting a broad audience with one name. Now, with help from Lantis Eyewear, Oscar de la Renta is joining the pack. The Oscar collections, geared toward the young, trendy set, is being launched at New York's Vision Expo East. Consumers with more sophisticated, mature taste will have to wait a little longer. Lantis plans to debut the Oscar de la Renta collection this fall.FB