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Sutro: Ophthalmic Collection

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:52:35 +0000

Sutro Vision’s first ophthalmic collection, featuring the newest version of the company’s patented Ratchet Hinge, debuts. This innovative design addresses the weakest point in conventional eyewear construction: the hinge. The new Ratchet Hinge used for acetate frames has a revolutionary 3D lance design that anchors the hinge into the frame from all directions. Not only is the connection to the frame 10 times stronger, according to Sutro, than a heat-staked or riveted hinge, it also gives the frame structure for a more consistent fit over time with fewer adjustments needed. As with the current Ratchet Hinge, this one will not loose screws, stays closed when needed and offers a light, balanced spring fit. The initial collection consists of five modern classics all constructed of Japanese zyl. Four additional styles will be introduced this season.

Photographed by Ken Lee/Black Box Studio

PHILOSOPHY:
“Sutro is not about fashion for fashion’s sake or innovation that has no function,” says Doug Smith, Sutro vice president of sales. “At a time when every dollar counts, Sutro offers an excellent value proposition. Our frames are not inexpensive, but considering how long they last and the lack of service they require, a retailer can feel very comfortable selling them to someone who only can only afford one good pair of frames.”

MARKETING:
Merchandising tools include solid wood/stainless-steel logo blocks, countercards and DVD clinics for sales people.

PRICE POINT:
$$$. For additional information, contact Rims & Goggles of Marin 415-383-9480 or email us info @RIMSandGOGGLES.com

INSIGHT
The Ratchet Hinge keeps the frame closed when hanging from a shirt pocket, allowing the use of a lighter spring that centers the frame on the face without pressure.

Germans Love Rudy Project

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:28:12 +0000

It’s official; Germans love Rudy Project. In an annual nationwide poll recently conducted by Germany’s leading cycling publication, Tour Magazine, Rudy Project ranked tops as the most preferred eyewear by German cyclists for the third straight year.

Pictured in their Rudy Projects are Linus Gerdemann of Team MILRAM sporting the Noyz frames and Actyum helmet; and famed German cyclist Erik Zabel in the Skymajor with Toni Martin in the Genetyk at the 2009 Tour de France.

“We are very proud to be Germany’s number-one choice for eyewear because, being a culture so rooted in its engineering heritage and prestige, Germans are making a statement that reinforces the fact that Rudy Project makes the best, most advanced sports eyewear in the world,” says Paul Craig, president and co-founder of Rudy Project North America. “We’re being chosen above all else in the land of BMW, Mercedes and some of the most sought-after musical instruments, technological devises and mechanical components.”

—Jackie Micucci

Gold & Wood Paris: Boucheron Eyewear

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:21:58 +0000

Under a licensing agreement for worldwide distribution, Gold & Wood Paris launches Boucheron, a line of luxury eyeglasses targeted to men and women between the ages of 40 and 75. Wood, horn and gold are at the heart of the Boucheron collection, which draws inspiration from its wood and gold jewelry popular in the ’80s. Colors are intense and rich, and rely extensively on black currant, red and gold. Included are 60 ophthalmic frames and 15 sunglasses in four distinct collections. The Fusion collection embraces geometric shapes and sculptured lines and is both urban and graphic. Inspired by legendary Hollywood figure, Ava Gardner, Ava is characterized by suspended shapes. Froufrou is based on two concepts: one with metal temples and one with wood temples, both highlighted with inserts of color. The Plume de Paon line is extravagant and sensual with an emphasis on buffalo horn.

Photographed by Matthew Lambros/Black Box Studio

PHILOSOPHY:
“We are delighted to have signed a long-term exclusive agreement with Gold & Wood, a very respected global leader in this field, well-known for its unparalleled expertise and sophisticated craftsmanship,” says Jean-Christophe Bèdos, president and CEO of Boucheron. Maurice Leonard, president and CEO of Gold & Wood, adds: “This is a very exciting chapter in Gold & Wood’s history. We are honored to be working with such a high-end jeweler.”

MARKETING:
Merchandising materials include displays, posters and countercards. Each frame comes in a gift box with an eggplant-colored leather case and authenticity guarantee card.

PRICE POINT:
$$$. For additional information, contact Rims & Goggles of Marin 415-383-9480 or email us at info @RIMSandGOGGLES.com

INSIGHT
Boucheron was founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858. Boucheron boasts an incredible list of clients, including royalty (Czar Alexander III), affluent American families (the Vanderbilts) and legendary film stars (Greta Garbo).

Ray Ban Tech Collection – What’s New

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:18:42 +0000

Luxottica Group launches its Ray-Ban Tech Collection with the Carbon Fibre line, featuring styles that are extraordinarily sturdy yet extremely lightweight. The wraparound temples are made of reinforced polyester resin sheets composed of seven layers all constructed of carbon fibre mixed with resin. Each sheet is water cut to suit even the slimmest temples. The rubber-injected temple tips and embossed Ray-Ban logo on the temple interiors allow for a better grip and optimum comfort. The styles also feature advanced polarized lens technology and include P³ (polycarbonate) and P³PLUS (crystal) lenses with enhanced color definition and AR and hydro-oleophobic coatings. Ray-Ban Tech is available in a number of colors and styles, including variations on aviators and rectangles with single- and double-bridge treatments.

Photographed by Matthew Lambros/Black Box Studio

PHILOSOPHY:
“Innovation has always been an integral part of Ray-Ban’s DNA and the addition of the Ray-Ban Tech Collection adds another dimension of functionality, innovation and value to the brand,” says Victor Melendez, Luxottica Group vice president of marketing. “Designed with progressive materials, the styles featured under the Ray-Ban Tech collection reflect Ray-Ban’s classic, iconic heritage and history of leading with inventive style and advanced technology.”

MARKETING:
Each sunglass comes packaged in a box with a cleaning cloth and black case with a texture reminiscent of carbon fibre strips.

PRICE POINT:
$$. For additional information, contact Rims & Goggles of Marin 415-383-9480 or email us info @RIMSandGOGGLES.com

INSIGHT
All lenses must pass the “Drop Ball Test” where a 16mm steel ball is dropped onto the lens from a height of 1.27 meters. The P³ and P³PLUS lenses guarantee exceptional polarization and 100 percent UV protection, making these hard-working frames perfect for the consumer who plays even harder.

Andy Wolf Eyewear – A Taste of Austria

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:15:11 +0000

Founded in 2006 in Austria, Andy Wolf Eyewear has established itself as a high-end eyewear line targeted to individuals who treat their glasses as precious accessories. Fans of the line include Hugh Grant and Eric Clapton. Made of acetate, the eyewear combines retro inspiration with high-quality handcraftsmanship and precise attention to detail. The current collection consists of 30 styles offered in three to five colors with such features as keyhole bridges and rivets. Although initially designed for men, Andy Wolf Eyewear has recently released a five-piece women’s collection inspired by timeless sex symbol, the late Bettie Page.

Photographed by Matthew Lambros/Black Box Studio

PHILOSOPHY:
“In addition to offering timeless, chic designs, the Andy Wolf collection also makes a statement of social responsibility: the glasses are manufactured entirely in the Austrian city of Hartberg. We’re not interested in outsourcing our production process in order to reduce costs. Each pair of glasses is a unique, 100-percent handcrafted, Austrian product with a level of quality that could not be reached with mass production. And especially now with the economic crisis, we are proud to create and guarantee jobs in Austria. For that reason Andy Wolf is about more than just fashion,” says Katharina Plattner, managing partner of Andy Wolf.

MARKETING:
The eyewear is available to select distributors. The company has produced such promotional materials as a magazine focusing on Austrian cultur

PRICE POINT:
$$$. For additional information, contact Rims & Goggles of Marin 415-383-9480 or email us at info @ RIMSandGOGGLES.com

INSIGHT
Each pair of glasses takes several weeks to produce and must pass a series of quality checks before being released for sale.

ProDesign: Essential 1213 to 1219

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:02:09 +0000

ProDesign Denmark introduces the Essential 1213 to 1219 series, targeted to teenagers and petite adults with delicate facial structures and smaller heads, who often feel at a disadvantage when selecting eyewear because of limited sizing possibilities. Included are seven styles (two masculine, four feminine and one unisex), all offered in four colors and two sizes. Frames are made of stainless steel with acetate temple tips and are fully rimmed in oval, rectangular and double-bridge aviator designs. Colors consist of shades of black, blue, brown, gray, lilac, olive and red with matte finishes. Sizes range from 42mm to 54mm with bridges of 13mm to 20mm and temple lengths of 125mm and 130mm.

PHILOSOPHY: “This new collection is specifically designed with teens and petite adults in mind,” say Lars Toftdahl, ProDesign director of sales. “Offered in vibrant colors and a variety of shapes, these frames have the great style already associated with ProDesign, but feature a smaller form for those with a narrow PD or smaller face.”

PRICE POINT: $$. For additional information, contact Rims & Goggles at 415-383-9480 or email us at info @ RimsandGoggles.com

TIP: Fashion meets timeless design in perfect balance, stressing style has no age. Teenagers want to look grown up in a young way and adults often want to look young in a grown up way.

Meet Oakley’s Elite – 10.09

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:49:09 +0000

“We’re not normal,” declares Oakley CEO Colin Baden, describing the company to a small gathering of journalists who have flown in from all corners of the globe for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Oakley’s headquarters. “We’ve been around for 35 years, but you won’t see any anniversary logos on or products. We’re a forward-looking company.”

Oakley’s past speaks for itself, as the company has long prided itself on innovative advances in sportswear and likes to keep its offices under wraps for obvious security reasons. However, to commemorate the launch of the high-end Elite Collection, 20/20 was invited as part of a select group of “elite” journalists to get a sneak peek at what happens behind the walls of the eyewear giant. From the (drivable) Army tank out front to the WWII airplane ejection seats in the lobby to the eyewear design, assembly and testing areas, Oakley’s facilities are anything but typical.

After the tour, the Elite Collection was finally unveiled—three new sunglasses, a wristwatch and a military boot made from high-end materials with the best quality and performance in mind. The jewel of the collection, the C Six, is a $4,000 sunglass made entirely from drilled carbon fiber.

“We try to elevate physics to an art form,” says Scott Bowers, Oakley’s senior vice president for global marketing and brand development, explaining what internal pillars guide the company. “We create inventions from scratch and wrap them in art.”
And with 35 years of practice, this brand has distinguished itself as one of the eyewear elite.

—Lauren Taylor

1. Oakley’s on site retailing “test” store
2. The Carbonfiber Elite
3. Scott Bowers, SVP of Global Marketing and Brand Development
4. A peek at frame “painting” in progress
5. Russ Ortiz, VP of Global Brand Communication
6. and 7. Oakley’s Kent Lane acts as guide and explains the blindfold tour procedure
8. Colin Baden, CEO