lines and launches

NATURAL Beauty

Lindsey Aspinall Getz • Photography by Peter Baker

MCGEE GROUP LAUNCHES DUCKS UNLIMITED

Inspired by nature and the outdoors, the Ducks Unlimited Eyewear collection from McGee Group features earth tone hues and textures. Each of the seven styles in this initial launch is offered with spring hinges and crafted out of titanium or acetate. Each style also features a laser-engraved Ducks Unlimited logo on the temple tip cover. A portion of the proceeds from all Ducks Unlimited Eyewear sales is used to restore and protect important wetland habitat in North America.

"The collection covers a range of styling from sophisticated to modern, casual fashion," says Wayne McGee of McGee Group. "However, the exciting part is in translating Ducks Unlimited themes throughout temple tip treatments and designs." For information, call 800-966-2020.

Cool Cat

LUXOTTICA ROLLS OUT PUMA Taking a cue from the world of sports, Luxottica's goal for the Puma collection of sunwear and ophthalmic styles was to create two product segments: those that fell under "sporty fashion" and those that fell under "active lifestyles." The result is a series including 11 sunwear and seven ophthalmic styles that appeal to both the intense athlete and the sporty fashionista. Sunwear styles include aluminum masks, metal aviators, and shields, while the ophthalmic styles feature semi-rimless and geometric designs. "The Puma brand has a very unique positioning," says Vittorio Verdun, vice president of marketing. "While Puma is heavily influenced by the world of sports, the name carries a strong fashion and lifestyle image as well. This brand is very hot and has made a big comeback in the past five years." For more information, call 800-422-2020.

Rockstar Glam

AOYAMA DEBUTS BED HEAD

It all began with a funky line of hair products and makeup. Now, the Bed Head brand by TIGI Linea includes eyewear. Designed for an 18- to 35-year old audience, the Bed Head eyewear collection features a variety of multi-colored designs and very modern shapes. The initial collection consists of monel, zyl, and combination frames in 18 styles ranging from elongated wraps to slim-line rectangles.

"The Bed Head collection fits the niche in edgy eyewear," says David Chernoff, executive vice president of Aoyama USA. "With design elements consisting of atypical geometric shapes, materials, and unique color combinations, the look is purely European and fashionably chic." For more information, call 800-877-2020 or visit the company website, www.aoyamausa.com.

Cult FOLLOWING

CULT INTRODUCES ALEK PAUL Emotion allows the creation of a design product, while technology makes it comfortable—that's the philosophy behind the Alek Paul collection from Cult. The collection includes a variety of unisex styles characterized by soft features and a fun color palette. Integrated cylinder spring hinges are incorporated on each frame. The collection is comprised of both acetate and metal aluminum models. "Alek Paul started from the desire to create a handmade Italian product combining Italian workmanship, culture, style, and innovation," says Alessandro Martire, designer for Alek Paul. "In all my designs, I try to include a detail that recalls the past. It's a way to remind me that all products have a story based on experimentation and research." For information, visit www.alekpaul.com.