what's new
Lines & Launches
By Joanne F. Schell
Photography by Peter Baker

Pentacle (top) and Divine

Nature's Perfect Number
Jonathan Paul Forms Phi

Phi, .61, is known as the divine proportion because it occurs so often in nature. The ratio of male bees to female bees in a hive is .61, and a peaceful heartbeat is said by some to be beating a Phi rhythm. Out of this sense of communing with nature's measurements comes PhiOptik, a new collection from Jonathan Paul Eyewear. The line consists of five six-base curve styles, each with anti-reflective and scratch resistant lenses which are polarized by Polarvue. The color palette reflects nature's hues, such as blue, ivory, black, green, and tortoiseshell. Wholesale prices range from $50 to $70. Countercards, window display posters, and frame displays are available. For more information, contact Jonathan Paul Eyewear at 888-834-8872.

JA 125S (top) and JA 116

All-American Style
Altair Announces Abboud

Altair Eyewear has expanded the Joseph Abboud eyewear collection with six new ophthalmic models and an entirely new line of sunwear. The new optical frames include plastics, metals, and a pair of three-piece mount titanium options that include a polarized rimless magnetic clip. Warm earth tones, intricate patterns, and rich textures inspire the frames' design elements. Optical frames are wholesale priced from $55 to $80, and are targeted to the upscale 30-to-50-year old American gentleman. The new sun collection hosts 11 models with pricing from $45 to $60 for fashion lenses, and $60 to $75 for polarized AR lenses. The collection is a balance between handmade plastics and metals in shapes from modified rectangles to classic ovals. For more information, contact Altair Eyewear at 888-505-5557.

PA411A (top) and P314D

A Taste of Italy
Elite Introduces Moda Milano to the U.S.

Moda Milano, the newest collection from Elite's Polaroid brand, targets trend-setting adults who desire a fashionable look combined with the function of a polarized lens. Each handmade, Italian zyl frame is styled in a '60s mod-type fashion with large eye shapes and thick eye rims in modified ovals and rectangles. The color palette is an eclectic mix of basic black, translucent grays, blue pearls, and brown tortoises. Sunglasses are wholesale priced at $44.95 and include a hard case and cleaning cloth. A 24- and 72-piece rotating display is available for Elite's complete line of Polaroid sunglasses. For more information, contact Elite at 800-935-4833.