January 2010 - Posts
Minima has extended its sports sunglass collection with the addition of three more unisex models.
Sport-1 and Sport-4 (pictured) have lightweight beta-titanium wraparound frames which provide good sun protection at the sides.
The lenses are made of a polyamide material, rendering them almost unbreakable and the temples are able to be folded in on themselves under the lenses, creating an extremely flat design. Both models come with a specially designed case.
Visionair has a polyamide one-piece lens, offering total sun protection and a panoramic aspect. The model also has a treated pad arm bridge designed for long-lasting adjustments. Like the Sport-1 and Sport-4, Visionair can fold into a flat, compact design and is sold with its own case.
Details: 020 8343 3337.
Colette, Danish manufacturer Ørgeen’s new sunglass model for women is designed using beta-titanium, making it ultra-light and flexible but also strong and hard-wearing.
With an angular, oversized frame and lightweight sides, Colette is designed to sit comfortably on the wearer’s ears and cheekbones. Featuring a ‘golden mirror’ effect, Ørgeen describes the frame as ‘a bold choice for the woman daring to take the lead, or for the rock star who would prefer to remain incognito.’
Details: 01279 724407.
French eyewear brand Henry Jullien has introduced a new optical range, Doublé D’Or, to its Les Signatures collection.
Meaning rolled gold in French, the range includes two styles, Renaissance for women and Delco for men.
According to Henry Jullien, Renaissance has a ‘contemporary and elegant style’ with dual temples, while Delco comes in a selection of sizes to suit different face shapes. Delco is also available in semi-rimless and full-rim styles.
Details: 01580 890111.
British eyewear brand Sunwise is bridging the needs between optical and sports product with the the Trafalgar RX.
The company, which was awarded the ‘Best of British Export’ by UK Trade and Investment for product quality and design in 2007, described the Trafalgar RX as a lightweight and flexible TR90 design that satisfied all optical needs, while being easily transformed for sports purposes, at an affordable price.
Sunwise said the model was easy to assemble and has a multi-mode optical RX adaptor that transforms an optical frame into a protective sports frame. Two sets of patent-registered side shields for optical, sport and outdoor modes open the frame, enabling practitioners to glaze it. The nose pad can be adjusted for fit.
The reasonably-priced model comes fitted with smoke mirror polycarbonate category 3 lenses for strong sun, as well as a set of Chromafusion lenses category 2-3, a light-reacting polarised protective lens. A further set of category 3 lenses is included in Sunwise Polafusion, for high sun, impact resistance and polarised protection.
Details: 01225 865101.
Inspired by the helmets worn by Flemish competition cyclists in the years between the wars, the limited edition Flandria sunglass model is the latest creation from Belgian eyewear manufacturer Theo.
Designed to show how a functional item can be a fashion accessory, Flandria has a lightweight stainless steel frame and curved lenses which provide protection from both the sun and wind.
Each model is numbered and comes with a certificate signed by Theo’s founders, Patrick Hoet and Wim Somers.
Only 180 pairs have been created in a choice of black, gold and fluorescent pink.
Details: theo@theo.be
MYKITA was founded 2003 by Harald
Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans and Moritz Krueger. What
to some may sound like an Asian-style name was in fact inspired by the
firm’s first premises – a former day-care centre for children (in East
Germany abbreviated to „Kita“).
Just a year later, the world was introduced to MYKITA *Collection No.1*
– an evolutionary step up in terms of both design and exclusivity. The
all-new range of metal frames was unveiled at the Silmo international
eyewear fair in the fall of 2004. A highly innovative functional design
comprising simple plug connections made complex soldered joints and
screw connections redundant, while the frames themselves were cut out
of stainless sheet steel before being folded into form. As well as
being incredibly light, the latter could be adjusted to the wearer
thanks to a wide variety of configuration options. The corrective
spectacles andunglasses in the collection ranged from the classically
elegant to avantgarde designs in a wide range of frame colours. A frame
for every face. Exactly two years later, a new collection was unveiled
at the 2006 Silmo. In a marked departure from previous frames, MYKITA
*Collection No.2* were made from full-bodied acetate – a material that
enjoys a huge tradition in the eyewear industry. What set the new
spectacles apart was the hinge – a connecting element that hugs the
front and temples in the style of a sheath. The designs are crisp,
clear and distinctive and are each related to frames from the metal
collection. A carefully selected range of nine distinct colours gives
*Collection No.2* a varied but nonetheless homogenous collective look.
All frames are hand-made at MYKITA’s own production site in Berlin and
are available at over 1,400 high-end opticians and selected department
stores across the globe.
These glasses are made with top-quality stainless steel, just 0.5 mm
thick, ensuring an ultra-light feel. The actual production of MYKITA
eyewear sees every part of the frame cut out of sheet metal and folded
into a lightweight but full-bodied format. Linking these is a
remarkably elegant and intelligent screw-less hinge design that ensures
total flexibility and allows complete, custom-fit adaptability of
inclination and frame according to the wearers’ facial proportions. The
technical wizardry is coupled with aesthetic clarity and optimum vision
to provide a recognisable trademark for MYKITA. To apply most of the
colours featured in the collection, MYKITA chose a PVD finish – a
state-of-the-art vacuum-heat coating technique that guarantees a
non-oxidizing and highly wear-resistant surface. The prescription
frames in *Collection No.1* are available in a choice of ten colours,
the sunglasses in eight colours. MYKITA collection No. 1 – over 50
styles available in a choice of 10 colours.
The MYKITA design team had for some time been planning to make a
collection incorporating a fuller-bodied material, and eventually
decided on cellulose acetate. Basically composed of cotton, wood pulp,
acetate and pigments, it is a natural material that has a long
tradition in the eyewear industry. *Collection No.2* indeed shares a
variety of features with the original concept. It features a
“snap-hinge” made of 0.8 mm flat sheet metal familiar from the
construction principles applied in the first collection. A major new
innovation was the use of photomechanical etching technology. The
connection point between the hinge and the acetate frame likewise
represented a unique challenge for the designers. The fourteen
prescription styles and six sunglasses are available in a range of
opaque colours, with no lamination.
Mykita is exclusively handled in The United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa by Jonathan van Blerk.
Jonathan van Blerk is available on j.vanblerk@mykita.com or on +44(0) 777 471 0050 or visit www.mykita.com
Contact lens and solution manufacturer Sauflon has today announced the availability of a full plus power range for its silicone hydrogel daily disposable lens.
Following the groundbreaking and highly successful launch of Clariti 1day in November 2009, the introduction of the plus powers provides Clariti 1day with a comprehensive and full power range from -0.50 - -6.00 in 0.25 steps, -6.50 - -10.00 in 0.50 steps and now +0.50 - +6.00 in 0.25 steps and +6.50 - +8.00 in 0.50 steps. This range extension allows a vast amount of patients to benefit from the exceptional health and incredible comfort that Clariti 1day delivers.
Clariti 1day is a silicone hydrogel daily disposable that brings an end to compromise. Now practitioners can offer the healthiest material in the safest modality, and importantly at a price the patient can afford.
Clariti™ allows 3.5 times the level of oxygen required for optimum ocular health, whilst the low modulus and exceptional wettability combine with a high water content to ensure outstanding levels of wearer comfort.
For further information on Clariti™ visit www.sauflon.co.uk or call 020 8322 4222.
Ski goggles are the latest additions to Gucci’s new Eyeweb collection, distributed by Safilo.
The unisex ski masks are available in either black or white and carry the brand’s trademark red and green colour pattern on the stretch headbands. Each ski mask comes with a soft pouch and is packaged in a black box which also features the striped Gucci colours. Offering 100 per cent protection against UV radiation, the masks use anti-fog lenses which feature Seal Ring technology. According to Safilo this ensures an effective thermal barrier and prevents distortion of the skier’s visual field.
Details: 01423 520303.
Orange Eyewear has added 17 new styles for women to its Orange optical frame label. The collection includes stainless steel model OR283 (1), which features stained glass detailing on its acetate sides, and model OR270 (2), with crystal detailing on its temples.
Suitable for smaller eyes is model OR286 (3) featuring a ‘squoval’ eye-shape. The wide acetate corner piece flows into the sides, with frosted etching overlaid on a marbled maroon colour effect.
Details: 0161 773 5555.
Norville’s 2010 sunglass collection features over 50 new models, 60 per cent of which can be glazed as prescription sunglasses.
The men’s collection includes metal and acetate wrap designs in aviator and quadra lens shapes while exaggerated eye shapes and bold colours stylise the women’s range.
The 2010 collection also includes 10 models for children and the Polaroid Sports range which feature six frames with headband options. All sunglass models are glazed with afocal Polaroid Ultrasight lenses which offer glare-free vision and 100 per cent UV400 protection.
Details: 01452 510321.
Building on the success with which its Essentials collection has been received by the over-50s market, Stepper UK has introduced 16 new styles to the range.
Described by Stepper as ‘no nonsense classic frames with a twist’, the men’s and women’s models are made using metal and plastic and are available in two colour options. Practitioners wishing to receive a copy of the new Essentials collection catalogue should contact Stepper UK. Details: 01732 375975.
According to distributor Grafton Optical, Reichert’s new Foresee Preferential Hyperacuity Perimeter (PHP) can detect early progression of AMD while reducing technician time by up to 80 per cent.
The Reichert Foresee PHP is a non-invasive visual field analyser for monitoring AMD and early detection of conversion to wet AMD or choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Results from clinical trials show the Foresee PHP had an accuracy of 82 per cent sensitivity and 88 per cent specificity in CNV detection. Grafton said that it also provided enhanced patient report tracking of changes in the visual field over a period of time.
Brian Bowles, managing director of Grafton Optical, said the Foresee PHP provided the early warning which was essential for good visual outcome and could be a deciding factor in the ability of patients to continue normal daily functions.
Details: 01923 233 980.
Icelandic eyewear brand Reykjavik Eyes has launched a 2010 collection of nine new frames. Made from titanium and featuring a screw-less design, the unisex range offers ‘ultimate comfort and performance’ according to the distributor, The Optoplast Actman Eyewear Company. Designed by Gunnar Gunnarson, the models are available in a variety of shapes including aviator and panto styles.
Encompassing all the new attributes of the range is model MR11. It is available in crimson, khaki or chocolate and combines characteristics of ‘lightness and durability’.
Details: 020 8544 9888 or 01515 262626.
Brand Gallery has been appointed as the distributor for US-based Randolph Engineering Eyewear in the UK and Europe.
Last available in the UK in the early 90s, the Randolph brand is characterised by its aviator models which have been supplied to the US military since 1982 and were worn by Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver and Robert Duvall in Apocalypse Now, as well as by Johnny Depp (pictured).
All models come with a lifetime guarantee for the solder joints, a maintenance kit with replacement nose pads and a micro screwdriver set plus a lens cloth and hard case.
Brand Gallery is currently looking for retail stockists for Randolph Engineering Eyewear. Practitioners interested should telephone Henry Shackleton on 07796 140599 or Mike Flanagan on 07867 524968.
eraSoft IC, the latest soft contact lens from UltraVision, is designed to fit all irregular corneas, including post laser refractive surgery and pellucid marginal degeneration.
According to the manufacturer, the lenses can be worn for up to 18 hours a day with stable vision and little discomfort. Designed and fitted using topographical images, KeraSoft IC also has a number of configurable lens parameters such as sector management control and customisable periphery design.
Keith Lomas, UltraVision’s chief executive, commented: ‘The development of the KeraSoft range is a breakthrough in the management of all irregular corneas. Rigid gas-permeable wearers often experience pain and short wearing times, leading them to make the choice between wearing their lenses for working or wearing them during social time. KeraSoft IC can be life-changing for patients with corneal irregularities.’
Incorporating wavefront optics, the lens is available in a choice of two materials, a three-month 74 per cent water silicone hydrogel material and a 12-month conventional high water 77 per cent material.
Details: 0800 585115.
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