frame introductions

Amy Endo, ABOM, CPOT, and Amy Spiezio

1 Mad for Plaid

Never out of fashion, tartan can cover many styles and many fashion angles, including optical looks. Face a Face's Tartan grouping gets its inspiration from the designers' nostalgic reflections, including schoolgirl days, the classic “beautiful lady's” look, or even rebel when referring to the “punks” from the 80s. The Tartan pattern will be featured on six of the frame crafters' bestselling shapes (Sagan and 2, Djinn 1, Macho 1 and 2, and Woody).

INFO: faceaface.com, 888-388-3223

2 Luxottica Persol Clip Ons

Since the 1920s, careful craftsmanship, elegance, and functionality have come to define the Persol brand. The clip-on shades collection is inspired by vintage form, the rounded acetate shapes allow sunlenses to clip on the front, transforming the spectacles into sunglasses. Hand made in Italy of ultra-light acetate, the PO03002V, shown, is available in honey beige and speckled Havana, as well as streaked blue. The frame features the new mini supreme arrow embellishment, a contemporary twist to Persol's iconic motif. The clips feature a polycarbonate lens that is polarized and fits with a clip onto the frame front.

INFO: luxottica.com, 800-422-2020

3 LAFONT

MODEL: Gaufrette
MATERIALS: Metal and acetate
SIZE: 53
COLORS: Black with black lace, crocodile on tortoise, red/blue/white pattern, tortoise with turquoise, pink and red dots, brown and orange strata layers
MARKET: Women
INFO: lafont.com, 800-832-8233

4. EASTERN STATES EYEWEAR

MODEL: Jaguar Spirit style 39335
MATERIALS: Stainless steel front, plastic temples
SIZE: 53/17-140
COLORS: Navy-brown, black-silver, gunmetal
MARKET: Men
PHONE: 800-645-3710

5. FYSH UK

Fysh UK introduces seven new models for the 2011 fall collection for men and women. The collection features shapes in rich autumnal colors for fall.

INFO: fyshuk.com, 800-361-6220

6. BOLLÉ

MODEL: Molly
MATERIAL: b-88 nylon
SIZE: 58/14-125
COLORS: Shiny black, satin frost, satin crystal blue, and dark tortoise
MARKET: Women
INFO: bolle.com, 800-22BOLLE (26553)

FRAME INSIGHTS

Clearly Colorful Lightec from Morel is launching the Alpha 14 collection, featuring five new models for men. A distinctive part of the frame's design is the wide injected crystal temples, which offer a contemporary and pure look. The crystal temple is enhanced with a clipped-on, stainless steel hinge support, which provides a hint of color. Focused on providing the wearer with a light, reliable, and comfortable product, Lightec's temple is injected around the core and prevents air from entering, while the nylon/Grilamlid used allows very easy cold alignment. From an aesthetic point of view, the chrome-plated core appears only at the curve of the endtip, guiding the eyes to the colored logo. Although simplicity inspires the design, the technology is not simple: The choice of materials used and the precision developed for this concept illustrate how Lightec combines purity with technical excellence, company representatives note. Alpha 14 is available in two semi-rimless brow-bar shapes and three rimless shapes in a choice of six colors per model, including some highly vibrant shades: orange, lime green, and red. INFO: morel-france.com, 800-526-8838