lines and launches
Lindsey Aspinall Getz • Photography by Peter Baker

Men’s Metals

CHARMANT INTRODUCES Z-TITANIUM
Charmant USA has launched a men’s collection offering four styles made of a high-strength and elastic titanium-zirconium alloy. The frame material is lightweight and the temples are constructed of the Z-titanium alloy, allowing them to bend without breaking. A red “Z” logo appears on the inner temple. Colors include black, dark grey, deep blue, and silver.
“The high strength and high elasticity of the Z titanium alloy allows for flexibility and added comfort,” says Dee Berghuys, director of product and marketing at Charmant. “In addition, the frames contain no nickel.” The lack of any harmful substances makes the product completely safe, even against the most sensitive facial skin. For more information, call 800-272-2042.

Breathe It In
FRAMESCAPE LAUNCHES OXYGEN
Comprised of nine styles, the Oxygen Collection from Framescape is a series of fresh, contemporary frames with a completely screwless design. The collection includes two monel, semi-rimless styles and seven Zylonite frames. The color palette is varied and includes hues like cinnamon stick, golden topaz, and onyx.
“The Oxygen frames are beautiful as well as a step ahead of others by way of their exclusive engineering and design,” says Chris Maling, CEO of Framescape. “All frames are completely screwless, including a patented flex-hinge design that allows the consumer or professional to quickly make repairs without costly parts, screws, or factory send-outs.” For more information, visit the company website, www.framescape.com.

COLORS IN OPTICS ANNOUNCES JESSICA SIMPSON
Colors in Optics LTD, has launched Jessica Simpson eyewear, a collection aimed at young and modern women. Consisting of 24 ophthalmic styles, the line mirrors European style and elegance. Frames are crafted from handmade Italian and French acetates, metals, and metal/plastic combinations. Trendy color overlays such as purple, blue, red, white, and black are part of the collection’s color palette. Shapes include rectangles, cat eyes, ovals, and bowties with an assortment of angles and curves. Many styles also feature crystal accents, and all frames are equipped with OBE spring hinges.
“Every young person looks to a role model for fashion and quality,” says Rhona Hutton, vice president of Colors in Optics LTD. “This year that role model is Jessica Simpson.” For more information, call 866-465-2656.

Sculpting LUXURY
MYKITA DEBUTS THE ACETATE COLLECTION
Designers Philipp Haffmans and Harald Gottschling have long planned to develop a luxurious eyewear collection made from a rich material and ultimately selected acetate to make it happen. After 10 years of working with sheet metal concepts, the acetate collection gave the designers the opportunity to be creative in their frame sculpting. Within the collection, there are nine colors available total and six per style.
“After one and a half years of research, we are proud to present a brand new snap hinge,” say Haffmans and Gottschling. “We managed to create a rotating axis by etching the material down to half of its thickness on both parts of the hinge. Regarding classic hinge solutions on acetate frames, we disliked the fact that as soon as the temples are folded in, a large gap between the temple and frame opens up. This collection offers an answer to this aesthetic problem.” For more information, call 973-669-0063.

Hit The Streets Kenmark Group has introduced the República Eyewear collection, a street brand of luxury eyewear and sunwear that focuses on the latest trends for the multi-ethnic male consumer falling into the age demographic of 18 to 35. The collection includes nine ophthalmic and nine sunwear styles. “República Eyewear will fill the void for a collection that caters to the young trans-cultural male consumer,” says Don Howard, president of the Kenmark Group. For more information, visit www.kenmarkoptical.com. Everyday Goddesses Frieze Frames has introduced the Goddess collection for women. This new collection recaptures vintage glam. The frames are a subtle modernization of various 1950s rhinestone-studded pieces collected over the years by company founder and designer Rhonda Spiegel. Each style is named for an ancient goddess, taking inspiration from Spiegel’s fascination with the decorative friezes of the Parthenon. “I have always been drawn to the sophisticated silhouettes of ’50s eyewear,” says Spiegel. “Screen goddesses like Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield would have worn styles like these back in their day.” For more information, visit www.friezeframes.com. Customized Eyes This month Von Dutch Originals is releasing its Kustom Eyes eyewear collection comprised of both sunglasses and ophthalmic styles. Many of the frames’ temple tips feature the classic Von Dutch “flying eyeball” with a Swarovski crystal as the pupil. Celebrities like Halle Berry and Madonna are fans of these new frames. For more information, call 323-651-5800 or visit the website, www.vondutch.com.