lines and launches

Amy Spiezio

Princely Specs

ALAIN MIKLI OPENS THE BOOK ON PRINCE DE SASSOUN COLLECTION

Inspired by the French comic book, Prince de Sassoun, written and illustrated by Alban Guillemois and Yvon Bertorello, eyewear artist and designer, Alain Mikli's latest collection tells the tale based on the Armenian folklore of joy and optimism. Set in a past futuristic eastern world, teenager David, Prince of Sassoun, journeys through three universes to save his people. Mikli's latest collection goes through each imaginary world.

The Osmanian Empire – Parallel Universe: The six frames of this universe are light and transparent, featuring a juxtaposition of ethereal metal threads that shape each frame's profile. Mostly semi-rimless, colors include orange, blue, lavender, red, gold, and silver.

The Empire of Moscovia – Tralala Universe: The three stainless steel metal styles of this world are highlighted by ultrathin temples sheathed in acetate. Playful color combinations for the styles are red and orange, brown and green, burgundy and silver, purple and orange, and brown and teal.

Kingdom of Sassoun – Millepage Universe: These three styles have rhythmic shapes and steel foils that are superimposed to create the impression of volume. Each style features three layers of various colored steel intertwined in tones of blue, gray, brown, and red combined with acetate temples.

Marketing will feature whimsical materials including two banners, a three-piece display, a diptych, a badge kit, a Post-It cube, shopping bags, and window stickers, as well as a limited edition Prince de Sassoun trophy collector.

INFO: mikli.com

EYE SPY

SPY OPTIC ADDS OPHTHALMIC COLLECTION Spy Optic has debuted a new ophthalmic collection. The launch extends the brand's active lifestyle heritage and technical, trendsetting frame and lens technologies into the optical category. “The Spy Rx collection was developed to meet the requirements of the dynamic youth culture that is driven by the West Coast lifestyle that Spy is inextricably connected to,” says Jim Sepanek, Spy vice president of optical. “We combined clean, modern fronts with temples that evoke an attitude that is distinctly Spy—fun and irreverent, born in the beaches, mountains, and dirt tracks of Southern California. Meticulously finished metals and rich acetate structures have been fashioned into very wearable shapes to ensure a great fit, company representatives note. INFO: spyoptic.com, 760-804-8420

Going for the Gold

OAKLEY PRESENTS THE U.S. OLYMPIC COLLECTION

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Oakley, Inc., announced the release of the Team USA eyewear collection. These special renditions of Oakley eyewear let customers share the excitement of the Olympic Games, as well as the innovations that Olympic and Paralympic athletes rely on to perform at their best.

“Oakley is a true partner to Team USA, creating products that aid in the performance of our athletes in competition and supporting our mission of developing our current and future Olympians and Paralympians,” says USOC managing director of consumer products Peter Zeytoonjian. “We are excited about the Team USA product line and look forward to working with Oakley through the London Games and beyond.”

“We are proud to be the official licensee and eyewear supplier to Team USA and the USOC for the London 2012 Olympic Games and years to come,” says Scott Bowers, Oakley's senior vice president of global marketing and brand development. “This unique collection lets customers support and share the pride of Team USA, and it features the same advanced technologies that many Olympic and Paralympic athletes depend on for the most important performances of their careers.”

The Team USA eyewear collection launch includes four men's sunglass designs (one in two renditions). Each model is highlighted with United States Olympic Team colors, and the Team USA mark is laser etched at the corner of the lens. A percentage of Team USA eyewear collection sales will support the training of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls.

The women's collection will launch in early 2012 and will include the Team USA Commit and the Team USA Miss Conduct.

INFO: oakley.com

THE BIGGER The Better

FATHEADZ EYEWEAR LAUNCHES LADIES' DEA LINE Fatheadz Eyewear, an eyewear maker that caters to men and women with all sizes of heads, is presenting its launch of a new women's line, Dea. Dea is a chic collection of affordable eyewear that comfortably fits heads of all sizes. Optical styles from the new line include “Cherish,” with a sleek, white, rimless frame, and “Mystify,” a patterned, square frame. New sunglass styles include “Radiance,” with a brown tortoise cat-eye frame, and “Spirit,” an ombre lens aviator. “Shoes don't come in a one-size-fits-all model, so why should eyewear?” says Rico Elmore, CEO of Fatheadz Eyewear. “We're thrilled to expand our brand in the retail space to meet our goal of providing eyewear for both men and women that is comfortable, dependable, fashionable, and affordable at any size.” Fatheadz and Dea offer impact-resistant and polarized lenses to reduce glare from reflective surfaces. INFO: deaeyewear.com