lines and launches

by amy spiezio

Shoe Chic

SAFILO'S JIMMY CHOO STEPS OUT

Expanding the brand of an accessories-lovers' accessories collection, Safilo has launched the Jimmy Choo sunglass line. Inspiring a chic sentiment akin to the high-end shoe grouping, the eyewear utilizes textures such as snakeskin recreated in acetate and bold color combinations with signature Jimmy Choo detailing. The collection includes 16 sunwear styles—nine plastic and two plastic/metal combination—all of which are designed for women. Metal styles range in tones of black, dark ruthenium, gold bronze, and rose brown, while the plastic styles include classic tones of black, brown, havana, gray, brown/deep red, and champagne. Merchandising materials including a logo plaque, counter mat, one-place highlighter, three-place display, 10- place display, and mirror. "Jimmy Choo is a name synonymous with luxury and glamour," says Dick Russo, executive vice president of Safilo USA. "As the brand continues to grow even stronger with new product category introductions, we feel the launch of Jimmy Choo eyewear is perfectly timed to take advantage of the brand's growing importance and awareness in the U.S. luxury market. The collection will have a modern edge, with a vintage feel, which is reflective of the eyewear trends going forward." For more information, call Safilo at 800-631-1188 or visit www.safilousa.com.

Project Runway SIGNATURE LAUNCHES CARMEN MARC VALVO Signature is experiencing significant growth in the luxury eyewear category. The Carmen Marc Valvo eyewear collection will further expand Signature's presence in this market, and will give Signature the opportunity to develop a boutique line to service its high-end customers. The Carmen Marc Valvo eyewear line will launch with 12 optical styles and 10 sun styles. All pieces in the line exude luxury and sophistication. "Carmen's love of 1940s glamour and island getaways has transpired into a collection of beautiful shell, coral, and rich vintage tortoise coloration," says Jill Gardner, senior vice president of design at Signature. Special features include French lace-infused zyl, carved plastic temples that emulate shells, and a step-and-repeat V pattern carved out of the temples. Shapes include cat-eyes, bold rectangles, and oversized sunwear with rounded edges. The point-of-purchase exudes the look of the collection with matte/shiny step-and-repeat Vs along the backside. Onyx and dark platinum cases featuring the step-and-repeat V logo will be on sun and opthalmic products. For more information, call Signature at 888-393-2891.

Behind the Velvet Rope

LUXOTTICA OPENS CLUB MONACO

Luxottica Group is introducing the premiere collection of sunwear and eyewear from the contemporary international fashion retailer Club Monaco. The Club Monaco Eyewear Collection—a line of chic, versatile, and affordable eyeglasses and sunglasses—complements the modern and urban lifestyle of the brand. Inspired by vintage frames found on the Italian coast, the collection is distinguished by its mixed assortment of resin, Italian horn, and Italian leather-wrapped styles. The color palette reflects Club Monaco's black and white brand heritage. "The urban and versatile styling, combined with affordable pricing, makes this brand a strong addition to our brand portfolio. It is an opportunity for our customers to enjoy fashion and design at a great price point," says Vittorio Verdun, vice president of marketing. The Club Monaco Eyewear Collection features 14 opthalmic and 11 sunglass styles. For additional information, visit www.luxottica.com.

Sweet Sensation

EYEWEAR DESIGNS UNWRAPS HERSHEY'S COLLECTION Eyewear Designs Ltd. has launched the first line from its multi-year license agreement for the worldwide distribution of Hershey's™ Eyewear. The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, and Ice Breakers. The Hershey's Eyewear collection is targeted toward children, and the initial collection includes nine optical styles: two plastic and seven metal, with interesting design elements and eye-catching colors. Hershey's Eyewear will ship with a distinctive brown case that reinforces the Hershey's brand heritage. "We are extremely excited about working with the Hershey's brand," says Andrea Gluck, co-president of Eyewear Designs. "The Hershey's brand has been synonymous with quality since its inception in 1894." For more information, call Eyewear Designs at 800-645-6596.

Interview With…

MODO LAUNCHES FABIEN BARON COLLECTION
One of fashion's most respected creative forces, Fabien Baron has designed everything from French Vogue layouts to the CK One fragrance bottles, and cross-platform advertising campaigns to furniture, producing iconic products with a modern, clean elegance. Now partnered with luxury eyewear producer Modo, Fabien Baron Eyewear features 14 models, ranging in four to five color variations with unisex models offered in larger and smaller sizes. The high density acetates are carved into shape rather than molded, and the metal frames are cut from a single sheet rather than constructed from wire with no welding. The highly engineered polarized lenses are the most advanced solution to filter glare, UV rays, and reflections. As always with Baron's designs, detail is key, and the silver logo plaque discreetly lies above the temple. The eyewear comes in a suede pouch, placed in a highly polished black acrylic case. For more information, call 800-223-7610 or visit www.modo.com.

Q&A

As a designer and a style leader, Fabien Baron is now applying himself to two new projects: an eyewear collection for Modo and the top spot at Andy Warhol's creation, Interview magazine. Barone spoke with the editors of Framebuyer about the inspirations behind his design work. Q What are the most important influences on your design work? A I have a great respect for my colleagues and the ideas we generate together. Working in a myriad of different communication media (fashion, magazines, advertising, product design, etc.) I have the opportunity to work with emerging talent, as well as legendary talent. It's rewarding to have this constant fusion of ideas. Q What are the factors that most excite you about design? A Whether I'm creating a linear magazine layout or working in something very three-dimensional like directing a TV spot or designing sunglasses, the objective is always design-driven. It's like assembling a puzzle and configuring all the elements to have cohesion. Q What's been the greatest challenge in interpreting your design perspective into an eyewear line? A Sunglasses are an accessory that create personality. Most of this collection is unisex, so the look of the eyewear can really change from person to person. Also, on their own, sunglasses have an organic shape, with lines and curves; it's a meditative and creative process. Q What are your favorite pieces or characteristics of your eyewear collection? A These are chic glasses, but they are not logo driven. I wanted the design idea to translate as a 3D object, so there was a lot of research that went into quality: high density acetates carved (not molded), metals cut from a single sheet (instead of constructed from wire), polarized lenses to name a few details. Of course, I have a logo, but it's very discreetly embedded into the top of the temple.