Lines and Launches
What's New for Buyers
by Marcy Bruch
Photography by Peter Baker

Blueberry Twist (top) and Strawberry Swirl

Eye Candy for Kids
Eyes Cream Shades introduces ophthalmic collection

Building on its successful kids' sunwear collection, Eyes Cream Shades now offers Eyes Cream Optical, an ophthalmic collection targeted to children from infants to 8-years-old. All frames are made in France and have spring hinges. The line is comprised of three metals made of monel and one plastic style. Sizes range from 38 to 44.

Blender is a metal for boys that comes in the colors cappuccino or mocha. Parfait is geared for little girls in colors such as strawberry swirl, grape supreme, and kiwi delight. Twist is a unisex metal that comes in the hues orange twist or blueberry twist. The plastic frame, Gumball, comes with a cable temple, making it perfect for toddlers.

Complimentary Eyes Cream tabletop pushcarts are available with the purchase of 36 frames. Posters and countercards are available. Eyes Cream Optical frames wholesale for $27.95.

"This ophthalmic collection is a high-quality, durable line of kid's eyewear with a designer look at value prices," says Faith Hill, president of Eyes Cream Shades. For more information, call 877-EYES-CREAM.

	University (top) and Wall Street

Where the Boys Are
Viva International Group introduces GANT

For the 30-something man who wants eyewear that reflects American casual style with a twist of European flair, Viva is now offering GANT Eyewear. The GANT brand is a line of high-quality clothing for men that was born in the 1940s when Bernard Gant began making shirts in New York City. Gant revolutionized the menswear industry by introducing the button-down collar in men's shirts, as well as debuting shirts designed to be worn without a tie. The GANT brand is owned by GANT AB, which includes a full range of boys' and men's clothing and accessories. GANT Eyewear will initially launch with 28 ophthalmic styles that wholesale from $44.95 to $79.95. Frame styles include titanium three-piece mounts with screwless hinges; stainless steel; and handmade double-laminated plastic models. All styles feature the GANT logo. Frame colors include gray, brown, classic navy, khaki, demi-amber, dark green, and burgundy. Each frame comes in a navy logo-embossed hard case. Point-of-purchase materials available: A three-box display set, eight-piece step display, countercards, banner, and ID plaque. For more information on Viva's GANT line contact 800-345-VIVA.

304-S (top) and Venezia

If the Shoe Fits
Zyloware unveils Via Spiga Occhiali

For any fashionista in the know, wearing sexy Via Spiga shoes is a status symbol. And since Via Spiga has expanded into outerwear, watches, and handbags, the name is hotter than ever. Extending the brand, Zyloware is offering Viva Spiga Occhiali eyewear. The line was developed by Via Spiga designer Ernesto Esposito, and it is comprised of 10 ophthalmic metals, two ophthalmic zyls, and seven sunglass styles. Shapes are ultra-feminine and include butterflies, cateyes, and ovals, as well as semi-rimless and rimless frames. All metal styles have snap-in nosepads, and some feature spring hinges. Swarovski crystal accents, dropped temples, and laser-engraved crocodile patterns are some of the distinguishing details that nod to the Via Spiga footwear and handbag collections. All the sunglasses have CR 39 lenses, and many have flash mirror coatings. Ophthalmic frames wholesale from $49.95 to $69.95, and sunglasses wholesale for $59.95. Point-of-purchase materials include countercards, signature plaque, one-place display, and three-place display. A Via Spiga handbag is free with the purchase of 24 or more frames. For more information, call 800-765-3700.

	YSL 2003 (top) and YSL 2019

A Legend Lives On
Sàfilo Group launches Yves Saint Laurent

Several generations of women will always associate their finest pantsuits, smoking jackets, peacoats, and trench coats with Yves Saint Laurent's name. "I believe that fashion is a means to reassure women, to give them confidence, and to enable them to assert themselves," said Saint Laurent recently at his star-studded retirement party in Paris. Now Sàfilo Group is debuting the Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) sunwear collection this spring with the ophthalmic collection to follow in May. The sunwear collection consists of eight styles: four metals, a metal/plastic combo, and three plastics. Styles include plastic masks and shields with lenses in a variety of gradient shades and flash mirror coatings. Among the frame colors are new and classic hues such as dark olive and dark red, shiny black and tortoise, gunmetal and rhodium. The Yves Saint Laurent sunwear collection wholesales from $100 to $115. Point-of-purchase materials include a silver-and-black logo plaque, one-piece and four-piece displays, and countercards. Each frame comes in a logo-embossed hard case and a drawstring pouch with a cleaning cloth. For more information, call 800-631-1188.

Info (top) and Chat

Talk of the Town
Wink introduces Dialogue

Start a conversation without saying a word--the eyes say it all. That's the inspiration behind Wink Optical, Inc.'s new Dialogue collection. "We all have an opinion, and for me visuals are more powerful than speech," says Wink designer Julie Koch-Beinke. "I designed Dialogue to help the wearers express their own quirky views of the world." Six styles in both sun and ophthalmic frames have names like info, chat, yes, enigma, dish, and moody. Info and chat have distinctive, flat-eye wire metal frames that create a floating lens effect. They come in silver, gold, or black chrome with jewel-toned enamel temples. Dish is an ultra-glam plastic cateye, and moody is a downtown chic, vintage-inspired oversized square sunglass frame. Yes is a richly layered Italian zyl with gradient lenses that comes in delicious colors including honey and bittersweet, as well as classic black. Each frame comes in Wink's signature metallic orange hard case. Wholesale prices range from $75 to $95. Point-of-purchase materials include image blocks and display frames. For more information, call 800-254-2739.