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

A738 (top) and A732

Peak Performance
Silhouette debuts Adidas Steel Air

As a follow-up to Silhouette's performance-driven Adidas sunwear, the company now offers an Adidas ophthalmic line called Steel Air. The focused collection is made up entirely of stainless-steel three-piece mounts with the temples and bridges available in an array of whimsical, two-toned colors. The three-piece mounting system is similar to Silhouette's Titan Minimal Art, making the frames extremely lightweight and durable for active lifestyles. Each style comes in a choice of nine two-toned bridge and temple colors ranging from subdued blue hues to more flamboyant orange and pink duo-toned combinations. Bridges come in a size 19 and temples are available in sizes 135 and 145. There's a choice of nine lens shapes, including traditional ovals, rectangles, and more edgy bow ties. Frames wholesale from $64.95 to $69.95, and each style has an optional gray polarized sun clip that wholesales for $35. Each order comes with a kit box that holds all nine styles and their companion clip-ons. There are also 4"x6" and 8"x11" poster images. For more information, call 800-223-0180.

	AK5105 (top) and AK6105

Legendary Style
Luxottica introduces AK Anne Klein sunwear

Anne Klein was one of the first female fashion designers in America, as well as a mentor to fashion leader Donna Karan. Her clothes became an instant hit among trailblazing career women of the 1970s and 1980s. Klein's tragic death in 1974 forced Karan to fill the designer's role before going on to launch her own company, and today the Anne Klein brand still has a loyal following among young and older women alike. Now Luxottica is offering a bridge sunwear collection, AK Anne Klein, to complement its couture Anne Klein eyewear line. The 13-piece group includes five bold plastics, four metals, three rimless styles, and a smaller shield for the more fashion-forward customer. Gradient flash mirrors abound, and the color range highlights plum, teal blue, and caramel brown. "The line is designed for the confident woman with impeccable taste," notes Jean Scott, vice president of product development for Luxottica. Wholesale price points range from $24.95 to $31.95. Point-of-purchase materials available are AK Anne Klein logo blocks, a counter mirror, and an AK Anne Klein logo plaque display. For information, call 800-422-2020.

803 (top) and 801

Choice of Champions
Sans Pareil launches Everlast

Since 1910, Everlast has been the preeminent brand in the world of boxing and has become one of the dominant brands in sporting goods and apparel. Last August, Sugar Ray Leonard was named the exclusive endorser of Everlast, and now Sans Pareil has signed a licensing agreement with the company to produce eyewear. The ophthalmic collection, with a thin-and-sporty theme, is targeted toward 18 to 35 year olds. It is comprised of six styles: Two for men, two for women, and two unisex frame styles. All frames are made of either pure titanium or beta titanium, which makes them ultra-light and hypoallergenic, as well as corrosion and heat resistant. Three styles also have spring hinges. These features make the eyewear perfect for those with active lifestyles. Rectangular and modified oval frame shapes come in a variety of colors, including burgundy, blue, brown, gunmetal, olive, and black. Wholesale prices range from $45.95 to $49.95. P-O-P includes six-place kit and display box, logo plaque, three-piece block display easel, and logo teddy bear For more information, call 800-521-9475.

	Series Seven E701G (top) and Series Six E602G

Breaking the Mold
Live Eyewear adds Live Eyes

As an encore to Live Eyewear's Cocoons debut, the company has added Live Eyes to its roster of expanding brands. "While Cocoons is geared toward consumers who are over 35, Live Eyes targets the more fashion-forward consumer who's 25 years old and up," explains Dave Dean, marketing manager for Live Eyewear. With a wholesale price of $44.95, the line is comprised of two retro styles: Series Six, which is a rectangular style, and Series Seven, a teacup shape. Both styles are available in ebony, tortoise, olive, or taupe and come in a choice of copper or gray lenses. All frames feature polarized, polycarbonate lenses and can be worn over prescription eyewear or as solo sunglasses. A case and microfiber cleaning cloth comes with each frame. Point-of-purchase materials include display stands, signature blocks, window display kits, and product posters. "Even though these styles do not incorporate a side shield, which is normally found on this style of sunglasses, they deliver 40 percent more protection than the typical fashion sunglass genre," says Dean. For more information, call 800-834-2563.

Apple (top) and Pear

Denim Groove
Viva International launches Bongo

Bongo is a brand that's synonymous with ultra-cool jeans. The company's hipster denim pants became an instant hit among teenage girls, and Bongo soon spun off a whole range of apparel and footwear. Now Viva International has introduced Bongo ophthalmic eyewear that appeals to today's young, hip, Gen Y women. There are 16 frame styles in the collection that wholesale from $29.95 to $34.95. All frames come with demo-tinted lenses in hues ranging from blue, purple, lilac, and green to orange. With this accent on color, it's fitting that each frame would be named after a fruit. In the metal group, Apricot is a cat eye, Kiwi is a rounded rectangle, and Plum is a playful circular style. In plastics, there's Mango--a modified oval; Cherry--a rectangle; and Grape--a geometric shape. Monel metal frames feature flat wire fronts and zyls have an iridescent foil finish. There are also styles in metal front and plastic temple combinations. Each frame comes inside a flip-top plastic case wrapped in denim with the signature B logo. Point-of-purchase materials include a three-triangle box display set, as well as a red-and-white Bongo ID plaque. Bongo ads feature singer Willa Ford. For more information, call 800-345-VIVA.