lines and launches

Stylist's STYLE

by amy spiezio

KENMARK UNVEILS NEW PHILLIP BLOCH FOR HUSH PUPPIES COLLECTION

The Kenmark Group has launched its Phillip Bloch for Hush Puppies eyewear collection. Phillip Bloch, celebrity stylist and commentator, has styled for Halle Berry, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Sandra Bullock, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, and many others. As a guest designer on the collection, he provides stylish, modern looks in fashion-forward designs that offer classic shapes with a modern twist on vintage eyewear. The frames provide an all-American look inspired by themes such as the turn-of-the-century industrial age, art deco, vintage 1940s, and 1950s geek chic. The launch features 10 frames in a masculine color palette of metals, zyls, and combos.

Several frames utilize twin-flex technology—an exclusive dual spring hinge system that provides the perfect fit with two flex points on the temple for maximum comfort and fit. Each frame comes with a soft case with a spine and pocket. The pocket can be used to hold an ID, credit cards, and other personal items. The case follows Bloch's initiative to create products that are both fashionable and functional. All frames feature a three-year warranty.

For more information, call 800-627-2898.

Signature Eyewear's new collection, Dakota Smith Los Angeles, has been designed to meet the needs of 18- to 35-year-old, trend-setting men. Dakota Smith Los Angeles combines a modern aesthetic with iconographic elements that define "urban cool." Clean, modern fronts are combined with vintage décor element. The bridges of acetate models have been specifically designed with a multicultural sensibility.
The collection consists of 12 optical frames and four sunglasses, as well as apparel and accessories. Jim Sepanek, designer of the Dakota Smith Los Angeles collection approached the design of the collection with a plan to make high quality frames with a particular aesthetic that would appeal to a psychographic that is youngspirited and original thinking.
"Young men 18 to 25 years old have very little to choose from when it comes to reasonably priced eyewear with an original point of view," he says. "Branded eyewear seems to dominate this space, forcing consumers to assimilate to a brand's image. And eyewear that provides a unique perspective is usually priced at the high end of the market. Dakota Smith Los Angeles provides a democratic solution, meeting this consumer's demand for frames that are uniquely ‘cool’ while being priced at a level that is accessible for everyone."
For more information, contact Signature Eyewear at 800-765-3937.

fresh take

SAFILO ADDS WOMEN'S FOSSIL

Safilo USA, which celebrates its 10-year partnership with Fossil this year, has launched a Fossil ophthalmic collection for women. The new collection offers four styles geared toward youthful, modern women seeking reasonably priced, stylish products.

The introduction of the Fossil women's ophthalmic collection strengthens the brand's unisex appeal, company reps note. The women's styles deliver vintage-inspired, casually structured, and simple eyewear in shapes that include softened rectangles and ovals, including one semi-rimless style. Design details and colors are inspired by the Fossil accessories line, primarily the women's watch collection. Color combinations include satin black/moss, satin sand/cream, plum/deep plum, black/tortoise, deep plum/red, and brown/tan cream.

"We have had a very successful partnership with Fossil for the past decade and are very excited to be adding women's styles to commemorate this important milestone. The attractive price point and exceptional styling being offered in the women's Fossil collection should help the line do very well in the marketplace," said Dick Russo, executive vice president of Safilo USA.

Marketing will include trade advertising and P.O.P. countercards, posters, a one-place highlighter, six-place rotator, and a logo plaque. For more information, call 800-631-1188.

ARCHITECTURAL ADVANCES

Marchon presents Jil Sander eyewear collection

Presenting signature European sophistication and architectural clean lines, the new collection of Jil Sander eyewear and sunwear from Marchon combines elegance and purity with innovative materials and craftsmanship.

Created in 1973 to provide a fresh fashion option to business women, the German collection moved its headquarters to Milan in the 1980s and brought its continental chic to the U.S. for the first time in 1995, adding menswear in 1997 and eyewear in 2009.

The current collection of ophthalmic eyewear and sunwear for men and women interprets the chic styles from Raf Simons, creative director of Jil Sander. The design and palette reflect the sophisticated and luxurious world of the Jil Sander brand, tapping into the formal looks from the runway which enhance the wearers with detailed shapes, presenting the frame fronts and temples in a rich color palette that includes jewel tones as well as classic eyewear hues in metals and acetates.

For more information, call 877-467-3639.