lines and launches

What's New?

Amy Spiezio

Cutting Edge

CLEARVISION UNVEILS MARC ECKO CUT & SEW COLLECTION

Launched in 2004, the Marc Ecko Cut and Sew collection blends classic tailoring with bold graphics and subtle embellishments. It was designed for those who want to start dressing a little more seriously but still maintain their youthful edge. The line includes blazers, vests, suits, shirts, belts, and more—all pulled off with just the right swagger.

The brand's new collection of eyewear and sunwear from ClearVision includes metal and acetate looks with clean, architectural lines. Frame details such as carbon fiber laminations, knurled or perforated logo plaques, laser shears logo on the temple tip, and design references ranging from classic cars to vintage microphones reflect the fashion line's thought-provoking and engaging styles. The color palette includes black, blue slate and blue tortoise, green olive tortoise and green khaki, gunmetal matte, and smoke crystal.

In launching the collection, ClearVision and Marc Ecko have created a unique experience to position, sell, and support the brand. They are utilizing a combination of traditional media, digital technology, social media, and events to engage the optical customer and create the need to purchase to build interest for the optical brand.

INFO: 800-645-3733, cvoptical.com

Who's the Marc Ecko Guy?

The Marc Ecko guy: young in spirit, masculine, he's a cool guy who pays meticulous attention to detail. The ME guy is a 20- to 40-year-old who grew up on R&B, rock, and hip hop. He is fashion forward, artistic, and industrious. He chooses his clothing to reflect who he is and how he feels. A student of the world, the ME guy is invested in popular culture. “The ME guy wears eyewear to see better. And look good. He is the guy inside of every guy,” company representatives say.

Cutting Edge

A&A OPTICAL PRESENTS BLACK VELVET COLLECTION

A&A's Black Velvet collection is a new eyewear line for men and women introduced by Quiksilver's product designers in France. The Black Velvet name is adding models to both the Quiksilver and Roxy brands.

Under the Black Velvet umbrella, these two brands have new styles with a target audience of a slightly older demographic than the brands' traditional market. Black Velvet is represented with three Black Velvet Roxy styles and three Black Velvet Quiksilver styles, each with two color ways. Black Velvet is a modern collection of timeless optical frames inspired by shapes from the past. Frame shape and thickness have been modernized and produced in trendy colors. The Black Velvet collection uses acetate plaques with a matte or shiny treatment and tonal branding to create timeless, easy-to-wear frames for men and women.

INFO: 800-492-4465, aaoptical.com

Splashy Style

VIVID EYEWEAR LANDS SPLASH COLLECTION

Vivid Eyewear is expanding its product mix by introducing the Splash Collection. The launch features six models for women of all ages, and six more are slated for release later in the year in various shades of tortoise shell laminate colors on the fronts and temples with bright pastels on the inside.

Splash frames are the perfect complement for any confident woman. Several models are cut so that the “splash” is also visible on the outside of the frame. Select from a rainbow of colors including, red, green, blue, purple, pink, and bone to add that splash of color. “As with all Vivid models, the shapes are easy to wear and will sell through fast,” says Elliot Friedman, co-president of Vivid. All frames come with a matching case and high-quality microfiber cleaning cloth.

INFO: 800-631-0188, vivid-eyewear.com

FRAME GALLERY

Penguin Power

KENMARK MARCHES OUT ORIGINAL PENGUIN EYEWEAR AND SUNWEAR

The Kenmark Group has launched Original Penguin Eyewear and Sunwear. Original Penguin Eyewear is reinventing retro with a variety of mid-century shapes invigorated with modern design elements. With 18 vintage-inspired ophthalmic and five sun styles for men ages 18 to 35, Original Penguin Eyewear is proving true the familiar adage: What's old is new again. The collection includes both plastics and metals in retro takes on black, gunmetal, and tortoise. Frames feature distinctive design elements such as keyhole bridges, metal plaque accents, and vintage shapes reminiscent of the Rat Pack era.

“Original Penguin adds a fresh layer to Kenmark's portfolio of men's brands,” says Jason Wehlage, Kenmark product designer. “The collection is specifically for the guy whose confidence allows him to set his own standard for what's cool.”

Each frame is accompanied by a distressed brown saddle case lined in mid-century blue flocking.

INFO: 800-627-2898, originalpenguin.com

School Spirit

MAUI JIM ROLLS OUT COLLEGE-BRANDED SUNGLASS COLLECTION

Just in time for back to school or to cheer for your favorite university sports team, Maui Jim debuts its new college-branded line of sunglasses for 11 of America's top universities. For each participating school, sunglasses feature frames in the schools' colors along with school-branded cleaning cloths and sunglass cases for: University of Alabama, Florida State, Auburn, Clemson, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Michigan, Louisiana State, University of Miami, University of Tennessee, and University of Texas at Austin. The new line uses high performance, unisex designs that are some of Maui Jim's bestsellers. Each school has chosen frames and lens colors.

INFO: mauijim.com