TECH ROUNDUP

Moving Forward

From new materials to unique construction techniques, the top-of-the-line just got a bit higher

GETTING FLOW Robert Marc introduces the "Z Flex" hinge. This hinge is created by pressing a solid block of titanium into the endpiece shape and then a "Z" is cut into this solid block, creating a Z-shaped flex. "My inspiration came from a mid-century lamp that I own. There is a spring coil (sort of slinky) around the electric wire that flexes as you adjust the lamp," notes designer Robert Marc. Visit www.robertmarc.com

TURBO POWER Kirk Originals' new collection, Turbo, is a powerful post-retro collection that combines aluminium, wood, and acetate accentuating the finest elements of each to create unique and beautiful eyewear. Each frame is hand-made in the French mountains, takes three months to produce, and took three years of design and development to find the perfect technical and aesthetic combinations of materials. Visit www.kirkoriginals.com

MORE THAN GOOD ProDesign launches new collection of titanium sunglasses the 8309, comes with polarized NXT lenses of the best quality, and are both stylish and luxurious. The inspiration came from the beauty seen in various mechanical details and resulted in a round to elliptical motif along the front and temple. There are two models in two colors. Visit www.prodesigndenmark.com

LUXURY IN DETAILS Cole Haan's reputation for handcrafted details and the use of innovative artisan techniques, gives them a competitive edge in the marketplace. The latest 2009 Cole Haan sunglass collection illustrates these qualities. The new CH 677 acetate sunglass is a timeless rounded rectangular shape that has beautiful, hand polished edges and handsome architectural lines. Its profile is enhanced with a hand-inlaid metal plaque along the end piece and temple. This contrasting metal piece is elegantly branded with two laser engraved lines of hand stitching and the classic Cole Haan script logo. Visit www.cvoptical.com

SUPERLIGHT Bevel has expanded its options in betaplast–a beta titanium core with a zyl overlay. With the betaplast concept, you get a superlight beta frame with a plastic look and nosepads attached to the titanium. It looks like a zyl frame but feels like a beta, the structure is designed to be easy to work with, and mounting is similar to that of a zyl. Visit www.bevelspecs.com

ICONIC SIGHT ENHANCED The Ray-Ban Caravan has been re-interpreted in an exclusive limited edition featuring precious materials combined with the use of sophisticated technology. This model is made in an 18-carat white gold-plated version with silver-colored mirrored lenses and in an 18-carat yellow gold-plated version with gold-coloured mirrored lenses, will be available at a limited selection of specialist stores. Visit www.Ray-Ban.com

COLOR PLAY SILHOUETTE COLORAMA WEARERS CAN CHOSE EYEWEAR BASED ON THEIR PREFERENCES—OR TO HOW THEY WANT TO APPEAR TO OTHERS. A PALETTE OF 12 COLOR VARIATIONS OFFERS COUNTLESS COMBINATIONS AND THE GREATEST POSSIBLE INDIVIDUALITY. VISIT WWW.SILHOUETTEOPTICAL.COM