LINES AND LAUNCHES
What's New for Buyers
By Marcy Bruch, with photography by Peter Baker

Brow Accents

Spectacle Eyeworks unveils Browmeister

Rather than feel bad over being teased as a kid, Mehran Baghaie decided to make money off the memory instead. And that's how Spectacle Eyeworks' Browmeister collection was born. "When I was growing up, my friends used to tease me about my bushy eyebrows and call me Mr. Unibrow," Baghaie recalls. "So I developed an ophthalmic collection that has some crazy stuff going on at that top of the brow." Each frame is made of stainless steel that's nickel free and features a bolder, flatter design at the brow line in a contrasting color. There are nine styles in the Browmeister collection with matte color tops such as blue, pink, green, brown, or black and a choice of silver or gold bottoms. The wholesale price for each frame is $78 and every frame comes in a hard, silver case. Point-of-purchase materials include posters, plaque stands, and a catalog. For more information, call 888-722-3322.

Cosmopolitan Flair

Inspecs debuts French Connection/FCUK

Riding on the success of French Connection and its bridge counterpart, FCUK (French Connection United Kingdom) clothing, Inspecs rolled out eyewear collections under these names in 1999 that quickly became one the best-selling eyewear collections in that country. Now both the more sophisticated, higher-end French Connection eyewear line and the younger, edgier FCUK line are available in America. Both collections are unisex and target 15- to 25-year-olds (FCUK) and 20- to 50-year-olds (French Connection). The French Connection ophthalmic line includes 26 frames in a choice of acetate plastic, monel, metal, and titanium with spring hinges. The French Connection sunglass collection features 40 styles in earthy tones ranging from brown and beige to blue and green. Wholesale prices for the French Connection collection range from $34 to $55. The FCUK optical collection features 22 styles in bright-colored materials like acetate and monel. The sunglass collection, which includes 50 styles, includes funky shapes with sprayed-on rubberized surfaces. Wholesale prices for FCUK range from $20 to $38. Point-of-purchase materials include posters and showcards as well as large and small cardboard box displays that can be used for countertops or window displays. Each frame comes with a hard case and soft fabric case. For more information, call 917-324-2401 or Inspecs in the United Kingdom at 001 44 207 978 1888.

Understated Elegance

Optical Exchange offers Fa�onnable

Fa�onnable eyewear follows the spirit of the brand's ready-to-wear, which is high-end, classic clothing for men and women that originates from Paris. The apparel line was introduced to the United States through Nordstrom five years ago and has gained a steady following ever since. Optical Exchange is now the exclusive distributor to North America for the French-produced eyewear collection. The line targets customers who want classic eyewear with understated elegance. There are four groups within the unisex eyewear line: Titanium, New York, Jeans, and Sunwear. The Titanium group features eight styles that wholesale from $75 to $85. The sophisticated New York ophthalmic collection includes both metal and plastic in four styles that are available in eight colors. The more casual Jeans collection has 12 styles in a total of 27 colors that wholesale for $49. And the sunwear collection has 14 styles that are each available in three colors and wholesale from $65 to $75. Point-of-purchase material includes countercards, an elegant wooden logo plaque, and standing countercard plaque. For more information, call 800-882-5298.

 

The Power of Attraction

Northern Eyes launches Kwik Klip

Northern Eyes has released a new line of magnetic eyewear called Kwik Klip, which features a patent-pending technology for clip-on eyewear that has no magnet material on the frame. This allows Northern Eyes to produce frames that are sleek looking and not bulky. According to the company, "the difference between Northern Eyes clip-ons and other clip-on product is in the magnetic technology." Northern Eyes uses high-grade stainless steel on eyewear that magnets are naturally attracted to. The magnets are only on the polarized lens clip-ons. There are 11 styles in the collection with four colors per model, ranging from gold to antique silver, to shiny brown, to champagne. The unisex collection is available in a variety of shapes-from ovals to rectangles. Kwik Klip is sold as a complete package, which consists of a frame and matching clip-on that wholesale for $64.95. Point-of-purchase materials include a magnetic flip case, which doubles as a presentation piece that can be used to house the product once it's purchased. For more information, call 800-387-3937.

Relaxed Fit for Men

Nouveau launches Wrangler 

Thanks to the launch of Wrangler Relaxed Eyewear from Nouveau, big men can now get eyewear that's as comfortable as their favorite pair of jeans. Wrangler's Relaxed Fit Eyewear provides sleek spring hinges and extended endpieces to ensure a comfortable fit that won't cramp a big guy's style. In fact, the tagline for the collection reads: "Real comfortable jeans, real comfortable eyewear." Flex-tips on selected styles reduce behind-the-ear pressure, and optional clip-ons provide a quick change of attitude and UV protection. There are five metal styles-Clint, Justin, Jackson, Keith, and Trevor. Wholesale prices range from $39.95 to $44.95. Clip-ons wholesale for $19.95. Since Wrangler is the top-selling men's jeans brand in the United States, Nouveau plans to build upon the momentum of the brand with a promotional offer. Eyecare professionals who purchase all five styles will receive a Wrangler denim jacket, shirt, watch, cap, and full set of merchandising materials. Point-of-purchase materials include a case display, logo plaque, and frame board cards. For more information, call 800-292-4342.EB