lines and launches

Go West

Amy Spiezio

MARCHON ROLLS OUT NINE WEST

The new launch collection from Nine West Eyewear and Marchon captures the brand’s modern, sexy style and translates color, pattern, and trend into sunwear and ophthalmic eyewear. Representing strong brand affinity across critical female age segments, Nine West is designed for the style chameleon seeking diverse, sexy, fresh fashion that is on trend at affordable prices. Prevalent color blocking in bright green, red, pink, and turquoise mixed with black and faux tortoise zyl add depth and distinction, and each burst of color is amplified by animal print or polka dot in or on the temples. “Nine West is the brand that women love. It’s perfectly positioned, affordable chic, modern, sexy and trend right,” says Mark Ginsberg, senior vice president global marketing. “Nine West is not just shoes anymore. We’re extremely excited about launching a brand with global reach that appeals to women of all ages.” The launch collection features 22 ophthalmic styles—10 plastic and 12 metal—and 10 sunglasses (eight plastic and two metal). All Nine West sunglasses are Rxable. Available P.O.P. includes nameplate, displays, countercards, and banner. All frames come with case/cleaning cloth.

INFO: 800-645-1300, marchon.com

High Note

DANNY GOKEY SPOTLIGHTED BY MATCH EYEWEAR

A new addition to Match Eyewear’s portfolio of brands and premiering at Vision Expo East 2012, the Danny Gokey Eyewear Collection will deliver trend-setting designs influenced by the country/pop artist’s sense of style and personal brand of music with an “edge.” The Danny Gokey Eyewear consumer is a fashion-conscious man from age 22 to 35 who seeks accessible designer fashion that reflects masculinity and individualism. Using bohemian and urban décor to define its aesthetic, this collection combines the use of colors, textures, mixed materials, and details to create styles that closely mirror the Danny Gokey culture and will debut with 13 styles. “It has been fun developing this collection with Danny, and it’s refreshing to work with an artist with so much passion for eyewear,” states Ethan Goodman, president of Match Eyewear. Best known for his third-place finish on season eight of “American Idol,” Danny Gokey’s music shares the spotlight with Sophia’s Heart which helps children in need. He continues to tour the country, most recently with Grammy Award-winning artist Taylor Swift.

INFO: 516-877-0170, matcheyewear.com

LIGHTENING UP

ASPEX EYEWEAR ADDS ASPEX GRILAMID TR90 COLLECTION Aspex Eyewear introduces Aspex Grilamid TR90, its first line of frames developed with thermoplastic polyamide. A new, advanced polymer developed exclusively for Aspex Eyewear, thermoplastic polyamide is 20 percent lighter than other plastics and is known for its extreme flexibility, durability, and lightweight qualities. Combined with the ability to maintain rich colors and finishes after prolonged exposure to sunlight, Aspex/TR90 frames are designed to showcase the latest beautiful styles for everyday and active wear. “This introduction reinforces our long-standing heritage at Aspex for developing technologically advanced eyewear that allows for a broad range of applications and styles,” said Yael Ifergan, director of marketing for Aspex Eyewear. “The quality and versatility of this material makes the Aspex/TR90 perfect for today’s fashion-conscious consumer who wants comfort, toughness, and the ability to display bright, vibrant colors and patterns.” In addition to being flexible, durable, and lightweight, frames made from TR90 are temperature-resistant and will never lose their shape or adjustments because of temperature variation. Completely non-allergenic, TR90 frames also block damaging UV exposure, ensuring that users will enjoy the look and feel of their eyewear even after years of direct exposure to sunlight. INFO: 514-938-3000, aspexeyewear.com

Rock ‘n’ Roll Looks

VIVA INTERNATIONAL GROUP TUNES UP, TURNS ON MARK NASON EYEWEAR

Viva International Group introduces the Mark Nason Eyewear Spring/Summer 2012 collection, which features classic rock ‘n’ roll elements and signature embellishments. Based in Manhattan Beah, Calif., the Mark Nason brand is a leader of rock ‘n’ roll-influenced footwear. In the eyewear collection, design elements include the Mark Nason signature dragon, crosses, and detailed roses, which enhance the collection’s edgy style. The new collection consists of 13 ophthalmic styles and 19 sunglass styles for men and women.

The men’s ophthalmic collection, featuring nine styles, fuses cool sophistication with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Branded treatments, including metal-casted tips inscribed with the Mark Nason cross/dragon logo and a Mark Nason raised metal logo plaque on the interior portion of each temple, reinforce the collection’s attention to detail. Premium materials are used throughout the collection, including handmade acetates, matte and antique metal finishes, and leather trims.

The women’s ophthalmic collection consists of four styles, all crafted in handmade acetate with a polished finish. Models MN Dessa and MN Lorna feature a trio of metal crosses on the frame’s temple, inspired by the detailing found on the brand’s leather bags. A deep color palette, which includes laminations in black, camo, tortoise, and burgundy, highlight this intricate design pattern.

The new sunglasses from the Mark Nason Spring/Summer 2012 collection consist of eight men’s, six women’s, and five unisex styles, featuring polarized, CR39, and CRXII lenses. The design elements in this collection feature leather trims, textured metals, and iconic logo treatments. Casted dragon/cross logo tips complete the look of the collection.

Merchandising materials include a two-piece display, countercards, logo plaque, 18-piece tower, and pedestal base.

INFO: 800-345-8482, vivagroup.com

Fashion Flair

ALAIN MIKLI UNVEILS JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FOR MIKLI

Alain Mikli International is launching the Jean Paul Gaultier by Mikli eyewear collection. The history of the partnership between Gaultier and Mikli began in 1978, when both designers founded their respective design houses. Both men soon found success. In October 1984, beneath the tents of the Louvre’s “cour carrée” during Paris Fashion Week, these two iconoclasts were brought together when Gaultier was dressing and Mikli accessorizing; and an instant bond was formed. After a more than 20-year friendship, the Paris tailor and the frame modelist have combined their talents with the result of that collaboration coming to fruition as the Jean Paul Gaultier by Mikli eyewear collection.

Their new eyewear collection consists of 20 models—12 eyeglasses and eight sunglasses in varying shades of black, brown/tortoise, and ivory. Of the sunglasses, six are plastic and one is metal. Of the eyeglasses, three are plastic, five are metal, and three are metal/plastic combination frames. The eyewear collection includes a broad range of shapes including rectangular, cat-eye, oval, and a shield, as well as four semi-rimless styles.

These are “frames to see as well as to be seen” with the added benefit of comfort and the technical expertise with which Alain Mikli eyewear is synonymous.

Marketing for the collection will include a small selection of visual merchandising materials, all of which reveal the world of Jean Paul Gaultier.

INFO: 203-648-4644, mikli.com

Great Outdoors

NEW YORK EYE PRESENTS EDDIE BAUER COLLECTION New York Eye is debuting a collection of Eddie Bauer eyewear. This 90-year-old active, outdoor lifestyle brand offers signature outerwear, clothing, accessories, and world-class mountaineering gear for men and women. The latest addition is a value-infused optical collection that will deliver products designed with the same uncompromising quality and performance standards set by Eddie Bauer, The Original Outdoor Outfitter, and meet his legendary creed— “To give you such outstanding quality, value, service, and guarantee that we may be worthy of your high esteem.” The initial collection will include 30 ophthalmic frame styles. A sunglass collection launch is planned for the future. Standout features include a three-year warranty on all frames, plus durability and lightweight comfort realized from the use of the highest-quality zyl, titanium, stainless steel, and TR90 frame materials. "In a market oversaturated with high-priced luxury eyewear options, New York Eye seeks to reach out to savvy consumers looking for top quality, value, and service with the Eddie Bauer brand,” says Arthur Jankolovits, president of New York Eye. “Eddie Bauer Eyewear will be positioned as the go-to brand for today's consumer looking for updated classic designs. It will set the standard for being the finest value brand choice in outdoor lifestyle eyewear.” Marketing materials for the eyewear collection include one- and three-piece eyewear displays made of real wood and featuring the signature Eddie Bauer green hue and logo. Giveaways, which include Eddie Bauer stainless steel water bottles, travel bags, and knapsacks, will also be available with appropriate purchases. A distressed brown faux leather case embossed with the Eddie Bauer logo accompanies each frame. INFO: 800-221-6966, newyorkeye.net