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Safilo has just launched a new collection of sunglasses frames under its house brand Carrera which marries vintage styling with contemporary details according to the manufacturer. These include the Speedway model, which has an injection-moulded drop shape and the Carrera logo on the front. It is avalible in a variety of colour combinations that feature contrasting graphic lines on both front and temples. Topcar 2, is a soft-shaped injection-moulded mask model which features striking colour combinations such as red, crystal and black with shaded grey lenses; or white, crystal and purple with shaded purple lenses. Made from metal, model Panamerika 1 (top has a drop shape and features the Carrera logo alongside a graphic line on its temples. According to Safilo it is suitable for both men and women. Another unisex drop-shaped model, Carman 1 features 80s styling, while the Hippy 1 (bottom) acetate frame for women has a softer round design more reminscient of 1960s fashion. Hippy 2, also for women, is a slightly boxier version. The Carrera collection of sunglasses was created by designer Enzo Sopracolle and produced and distributed by Safilo. Details: 01423 520 303.
Italian sports eyewear brand Zerorh+ has become the official sunglass supplier for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team, competing in the 2010 MotoGP. The Plasma model sunglasses which it is supplying are adapted specifically for use in the motorcycle racing championship. Zerorh+ also supplies eyewear for a number of other sportsmen including England football coach Fabio Capello, sailor Giancarlo Cangiano, and Alex Ascenzi, Italian triathlon champion.
The Jason Wu eyewear collection from Modo features sunglass and optical styles inspired by the designer’s ready-to-wear collections. There are two feminine and two unisex styles, with four to five finishes per style. Colours include semi-translucent crystals in aquamarine, topaz, onyx, opal, olivine, noir, caramel, and tortoise. Shapes include Seberg, an updated cat’s eye (pictured) that is slightly rounded, with a metal brow detail; Earhart, an oversized aviator with metal brow bar and end piece; Jett, a retro-inspired shape and Mia, an oversized frame with bevelled edges. Materials used include handmade Japanese plastic with double-brushed stainless steel details and double gradient CR 39 lenses. There are subtle logo treatments in four accent colours that correspond to the interior treatments of Jason Wu clothing. Modo chief executive officer Alessandro Lanaro said of Wu: ‘His use of luxurious fabrications, attention to details and youthful attitude, fits perfectly with Modo’s philosophy.' Details: www.modo.com
Diesel’s new Young Shades Collection mixes contemporary style with vintage designs, according to manufacturer Safilo. For men, brightly coloured model DS 0203 (pictured in yellow) is a boxy injection moulded frame with the Diesel logo prominently displayed on the sides, whereas model DV 0163 (white) has a slimmer rectangular frame and a smaller Diesel brand logo. Inspired by the 1970s, the butterfly-shaped DS 0204 (green) for women offers more of a retro style with faceted temples in bold colours. The DV 0162G is a more contemporary petite frame in a soft shape and features a contrasting Diesel logo on the sides. Details 01423 520303.
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
Mondottica has announced a multi-year agreement with American fashion designer, Anna Sui. Under the agreement the manufacturer will produce Sui’s new optical and sunglass range which will be available in 2010. ‘We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Anna to develop this first eyewear collection,’ said Michael Jardine, chairman of Mondottica. ‘It has been inspiring to see the admiration and affection the fashion industry has for her.’ Drawing inspiration from Sui’s fashion and accessories, the Anna Sui Eyewear Collection includes 15 sun and 14 optical styles.
Manufactured by Marchon, the CK USB Memory Frame sunglasses from Calvin Klein features a detachable USB key embedded in its right temple. Offered in two styles, ck3083s-usb has a modified rectangular shape and is available in a choice of black, dark havana or light havana, while ck3084s-usb has a larger rectangular shape and comes in a choice of black, dark havana or pearl. Both models can be worn as optical frames with prescription lenses and display the CK logo on their temples. The USB flash drive holds up to 4GB of data and can store documents, pictures, media clips and music. Details: 0800 722020.
Former child actresses the Olsen twins are launching a sunglass collection for Spring 2010 under their ready-to-wear fashion label, The Row in collaboration with the London based brand Linda Farrow Vintage. With a recommend retail price of between £190 and £225, the collection will feature four variations on Linda Farrow vintage designs, an oversized ‘blackout’ pair with rounded square lenses, a classic aviator, a Lennon-esque rounded shape and a sunglass with retro browline rims. With a name alluding to Savile Row, The Row’s TR logo will feature on the tip of each frame’s left temple side. Details: 020 7713 1105.
Among the new creative designs from French eyewear manufacturer Parasite Eyewear is the sleek and flowing Noego optical frame Anatomy (1) and the Zaora sunglass (2). The Anatomy design is described by the company as a frame that seems to be made of metallic muscular fibre. It added that such a fine stainless steel frame can only be manufactured by a complete mastering of the process technologies. The Zaora model was inspired by Mexican wrestling ‘Lucha Libre’ masks. This sunglass has oversized lenses and a double side and comes in two colour options – Zaoro Creator (2) and Zaora Chrome France. Also new from Parasite are the striking Astero goggles (3), which are available in several colours including gold, black and silver. ● Details: +33 04 74 46 28 90.
U.S eyewear manufacturer Bevel Spectacles has launched its first polarised sunglass collection for men. Constructed from ultramatt zyl acetate, the AR backed CR39 polarised lenses with a MAC 4 AR and oleophobic/hydrophobic treatment are provided by Italian lens manufacturer Intercast. Each of the six frame styles comes in a choice of four colours. The recommended retail price is £175. ● Details: 07768 234533.
Rye&Lye has added two new models targeted at a mature audience. Using materials such as carbon and aluminium, the Cohiba and Truman models are ‘futuristic interpretations’ of the aviator style. Cohiba is a unisex model made from carbon fibre with injected rubber and can be glazed as either an optical or sunglass model. Truman, a frame for men, is made from silver and features flex sides with leather inserts on the end and near the temple. Details: 0039 0435 501137.
Bollé, the official sunglass supplier to Skandia Team GBR, has launched a new polarised Marine Collection, designed for water sports such as sailing, canoeing and kayaking. The range features lenses combining anti-glare polarised technology and a hydrophobic treatment that repels water, prevents smudging and resists contaminants. The collection is available with a choice of two lens tints, Offshore Blue and Inland Gold. Offshore Blue is a neutral grey lens with a metallic blue mirror that takes the glare off the water’s surface and has 10 per cent light transmittance. The high-contrast amber Inland Gold tint has 14 per cent light transmittance and allows a clear view under the water’s surface. Like all Bollé lenses they are made of virtually shatterproof UV-blocking polycarbonate. Bollé’s two key summer models are the wrap style Anaconda and Recoil. With a recommended retail price of £93, the frames have thermogrip temple tips and nose pads and come with floating neck straps. Details: 020 8391 4700.
Pepe Jeans London has launched a new-season sunglass collection with contemporary styles in bold metals and bright-coloured acetates, inspired by vintage design with a modern twist. Aimed at the younger wearer, the colours and styling of the sunglasses tie up with other components of Pepe Jeans London’s clothing and accessory range. There are 32 styles – 13 metals and 19 acetates – including oversized designs. Models come in several colour options, with a quality case and lens cloth. Point of sale material includes window display components and showcards featuring both optical and sunglasses, as well as a dedicated counter-top display stand. The eyewear has a retail price point of between £39.00 and £59.00. Details: 01159 677 912
The French Riviera of the 1960s provides the inspiration for Lacoste’s latest sunglass collection. Manufactured by Charmant, the collection features sorbet colours, vintage styling and its models are named after famous towns and cities on France’s Côte d’Azur. Cannes is an acetate over-sized oval Jackie O model for women. Its large front contrasts with slim metal temple arms. Made from metal, Antibes also features thin temple arms, but with a more circular oversize front. The more rectangular acetate Nice model features wider temples and is available in a colour palette of beige, green or deep red. Cap Martin is a more rounded rectangular acetate frame with slightly angled lenses and a high bridge. Avignon is a gold over-size metal aviator with dark temple tips at the end of its thin temples. Details: 020 8992 9222
Designer and creative director Fabien Baron has introduced a new sunglass collection with Modo. Baron, who has designed magazine layouts to fragrance bottles, advertising campaigns to furniture, has added seven new oversized acetate styles, including two unisex models. The modern designs, are described by Modo as offering bold simplicity and sophistication, each available in colour combinations from a selection of pink, moss, berry, lacquer, cafe, ocean and wine, as well as signature colours of black, horn, red and bark. ‘Sunglasses, as objects, have the potential to be designed with detailed precision,’ said Baron, who added that with the new collection he had applied ‘subtle design refinements to improve the fit and design of classic shapes.’ The designs are hand crafted in Japan and ‘carved into shape rather than moulded, coupled with expertly engineered polarised lenses which filter glare, UV rays and reflections’. A silver logo is embedded above the temple and the eyewear comes in a rectangular lizard-style case. Details: www.modo.com