lines and launches

History to High Tech
CHARMANT UNVEILS TRU TRUSSARDI

Since its start as an accessories maker and leather expert in 1911, Trussardi has become known as a purveyor of Italian chic, a brand that balances its heritage and history with high-tech innovation. The Tru Trussardi eyewear collection of sunwear and ophthalmic eyewear, produced and distributed by Charmant, represents elegance and dynamic, metropolitan chic. Serving men and women who are confident in their own style, the collection provides quality with twists on the classics. In sunwear, the collection shows a range of signature shapes with unexpected uses of leather and tailoring treatments.

Juxtapositions, such as hard and soft, matte and glossy, warm and cold, establish emotional and tactile experiences for the season with the themes of “urban dandy” for men and “urban wild glam” for women. In ophthalmics, understated fashion with Italian flair and subtle detailing in classic shapes and sizes rule the day.

INFO: 800-645-2121, charmant.com

Casual Cool
VIVA PRESENTS WILLIAM RAST

The Spring 2011 Eyewear Collection from William Rast, which boasts the “New America Denim Culture” brand tagline, focuses on classic, comfortable, contemporary styles for both the premium and sportswear categories for men and women.

Each iconic style within the collection is an accessory that incorporates the timeless yet trend-driven, Americana heritage, and contemporary look that the William Rast brand is known for. Signature elements of the brand such as leather, metal, and wood are integral components of elevating the line to a unique eyewear expression. Each style features metal insets of the William Rast New America flag on the inside temple tip as well as the William Rast “dub” logo on the exterior left temple or lens front.

INFO: 800-345-8282, vivagroup.com

Urban Arrivals
MCGEE KICKS OFF ARGLYECULTURE EYEWEAR COLLECTION

Reflecting classic American style and the powerful influence of hip-hop, Russell Simmons has set his sights on eyewear, launching Argyleculture.

“It is inspiring to partner with an innovative organization such as Simmons Design Group that has such vision for men's apparel and accessories that is unreplicated in any other men's brand at retail. We will promote this brand through in-store P.O.P. and printed marketing materials,” says Wayne McGee, CEO and president of The McGee Group.

Like the Argyleculture fashion line, the eyewear styles in metals and acetates are designed for the “Urban Graduate,” men over the age of 25 who have “arrived.”

“Over the last 30 years, as hip-hop has evolved into a mainstream part of American culture, marketers have continued to target the young fans,” explains Russell Simmons. “However, as hip-hop grows up, so do the fans. This is where Argyleculture Eyewear steps in—to engage and prepare these men born into hip-hop to lead professional, responsible lives.”

INFO: 800-966-2020, sales@mcgreegroup.com

Textured Choices

MARCHON ROLLS OUT LACOSTE OPHTHALMIC COLLECTION Following the debut of its Lacoste sunwear collection in Fall 2010, Marchon is completing the line's launch with an ophthalmic grouping for men and women. The looks follow the cutting-edge trend of taking sunglasses into the Rx realm by distilling the eye-catching details from the sun collection and translating them into prescription eyewear with stylish deeper B measurements in plastic and metal models. The collection also draws directly from the Lacoste fashion collection with details such as pique textures on the frame fronts and temples, as well as the bright color palette from the line's iconic polo shirts. Other design details for the latest addition to the brand follow the Lacoste aesthetic legacy. The collection includes vibrant color blocking, striping, and piping, and the ever-recognizable crocodile logo. Precise style and effortless fluidity are translated onto eyewear, creating an elegant, defined collection synonymous with the Lacoste brand. INFO: 877-467-3639, marchon.com

Tommy Time

SAFILO LAUNCHES TOMMY HILFIGER OPHTHALMIC COLLECTION After kicking off an exciting sunwear collection last year, the Tommy Hilfiger ophthalmic eyewear collection is now available. Manufactured and distributed by Safilo Group, the collection embodies the neo-preppiness of the Tommy Hilfiger brand that has become a global symbol of the all-American spirit. The eyewear segment of the collection pulls from the sunglass looks as well as modern classic Rx shapes and style for a classic yet contemporary feel that reflects Tommy Hilfiger's American cool style. With a premium lifestyle brand portfolio including Tommy Hilfiger and Hilfiger Denim, the Tommy Hilfiger Group is one of the world's most recognizable designer apparel groups. Its focus is designing and marketing high-quality menswear, womenswear, children's apparel, and denim collections. The Group also offers complementary lifestyle products such as accessories, fragrances, and home furnishings. INFO: 800-631-1188, safilousa.com

HOT News

MARCOLIN DEBUTS JOHN GALLIANO OPHTHALMIC EYEWEAR After launching its John Galliano sun collection last year, Marcolin is rounding out the collection with groupings of ophthalmic eyewear for both men and women. Inspired by global influences ranging from the combs in Spanish flamenco dancers' hair to lace used in the designer's most recent collection, the eyewear is presented in acetate and metal options with detailing including overlays and enamel. Blending style and function, the frame offerings for women include exclusive easy-fit shape designs produced in plastic. Romantic meets Rock 'n Roll with classic styles updated with singularly contemporary touches. The original “gazette” printing, a distinctive feature of the French fashion house, decorates the entire frame front and temple tips or inside temples, making this easily recognizable as a creation marked John Galliano. INFO: marcolin.com, 888-627-2654