LINES & LAUNCHES
What�s New for Buyers
By Marcy Bruch
Photography by Peter Baker

	G006(top) & G009(bottom)

Function Meets Fashion
Fitovers offers Jonathan Paul Glides

Sleek European styling combined with Fitovers� PDX lens technology make the new Jonathan Paul Glides series the perfect marriage between UV protection and fashion. The frames are all hypoallergenic and made of lightweight crystal nylon. Each style comes in two sizes�large or small�to comfortably fit over a wide variety of prescription glasses, thus eliminating the need for clip-on or prescription sunglasses. The frames are available in five colors, including Midnight Oil, Kauri, Neptune, Honey, and Piano (a black and white combo). The PDX (Polyardynamix) polarized lens technology provides glare-cutting performance and protection from ultraviolet radiation while skiing, boating, or driving. Built-in polarized side shields give additional protection and improve visual acuity by eliminating peripheral sunlight. Each style comes in a choice of gray or amber lenses. The wholesale price for each style is $39.95 and they all come with a case and neck cord.  Point-of-purchase materials include a four, six or eight-piece frame stand. For more information, call 888-834-8872.

Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
Eyewear Designs rolls out Scooby-Doo

SD-03(left) & SD-02(right)

As one of the most popular shows on the Cartoon Network, Hanna-Barbera�s animated dog Scooby-Doo is seen in more than 66.8 million homes across the United States and watched in 145 countries worldwide. Now Eyewear Designs Ltd. has partnered with Hanna-Barbera to launch Scooby-Doo eyewear. The line is targeted to boys and girls ages five to 12, and features eight ophthalmic styles. All frames are metal and include spring hinges. Colors range from golden honey, to ghost white, to shaggy brown to bubble gum. Styles include ovals, rectangles, and pillow shapes, and each frame comes with an impact-resistant carry case. �The idea behind this collection is to make eyeglass shopping fun for children,� says Barry Baum, chairman and CEO of Eyewear Designs Ltd. The wholesale price for each frame is $41.95. In-store merchandising materials include a four-piece point-of-purchase display and a name plaque highlighting Scooby-Doo and his friends, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma. Call 800-645-6596.

For The Love of Elmo
Zyloware offers Sesame Street

	Elmo(top) & Charms(bottom)

Thanks to the characters at Sesame Street, many kids equate learning with fun. Elmo, Miss Piggy, and Kermit make memorizing the alphabet a game so that learning to read is a breeze. That�s why licensed eyewear under the Sesame Street name makes perfect sense. Zyloware has partnered with Sesame Workshop to do just that. The new line features five ophthalmic styles geared to fit children ages two to nine. Rubber Duckie 1 is an oval-shaped frame with a rubber duck floating at the temple. Charms is perfect for girls since it�s embellished with bows, hearts, and flowers. The frame style Song features engraved musical notes. And Elmo is on his own namesake frame so kids can take him wherever they go. Then there�s the style Sailboats that has little boats sailing along the temple. All frames wholesale for $37.95. As part of the launch, dispensers will receive a free cuddly stuffed Sesame Street character with the purchase of a 10-piece order. In addition, retailers get a 10-piece pop-up display, two easel cards featuring Big Bird and Cookie Monster, a frame board ID, and 25 Sesame Street Eyewear appointment postcards. For more information, call 800-765-3700.

Boys Will Be Boys
Optique International launches Action Man

AM-03(top) & AM-05(bottom)

Action Man, the action figure hero created by Hasbro Inc., has been on a mission to fight bad guys for 40 years. Now Hasbro�s number one international boy�s brand has partnered with Optique International to license Action Man Eye Ware. Targeted to boys ranging in age from four to 12, the line features six ophthalmic styles in a choice of four action-oriented colors. They include green camouflage, brown camouflage, antique blue, and matte black. Knowing boys will be boys, the frames feature spring hinges and safety ear tips to better withstand rough handling. Each frame comes with a rugged fliptop padded carry case that includes a belt clip. The wholesale price for each style is $38.95. Point-of purchase materials include a seven-piece display stand, posters, and a mission game board. Participating dispensers can also take advantage of a quarterly drawing that gives their customers who purchase the eyewear an opportunity to win an Action Man figure. For more information, call 800-777-6210.

Forging Polarization and Titanium
Maui Jim introduces Titanium Sport

	Ka'napali(left) & Wailea(right)

Maui Jim has taken its expertise in polarized lens technology and combined it with the latest titanium to create the ultimate lightweight sunglass line, Titanium Sport. The styles in the collection�Wailea, Kapalua, and Ka�anapali�weigh only 11 grams each. Titanium Sport is the only titanium sunwear collection that includes Maui Jim�s patented PolarizedPlus technology. Like all Maui Jim lenses, the polarizing film includes a bi-gradient coating and anti-reflective treatment to totally eliminate glare and block UV rays. Lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are treated with Clearshell, an exclusive coating that provides lasting protection against scratches and scuffs. The rimless frames are made of titanium alloy that are so durable and flexible there is no need for hinges. �The new Titanium Sport collection packs a lot performance and protection into a featherweight package,� says Chris Abbruzzese, vice president of marketing. Each style wholesales for $124.50. Point-of-purchase materials include a six-piece under-counter display, logo plaque, and countercard. For more information, call 888-628-4546.