lines and launches

Amy Spiezio ∙ Photography by Peter Baker

A Fresh Marc

SAFILO UNVEILS MARC JACOBS OPHTHALMIC EYEWEAR COLLECTION

Safilo USA is presenting its first new Marc by Marc Jacobs ophthalmic offerings since July 2008. The new collection offers 11 vintage- inspired, cutting-edge styles that set the standard for what's happening in street fashion. The collection offers eight women's styles and three unisex styles.

The urban-inspired designs feature distinctive details in the temples and frames with shapes that are reminiscent of popular styles from the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. The collection features rectangular eye shapes in traditional, soft, and shallow silhouettes as well as modified ovals and cat-eyes. There are also two semi-rimless styles.

Colors include violet plum, eggplant crystal, brown teal, rose brown, palladium white blue, dark ruthenium tea, Havana violet, burgundy red, sand brown, and black white black.

Marketing will include consumer advertising, a new 12-place rotator display, three pre-packed image boxes in a variety of sizes, and an informational brochure/catalog.

"We are extremely excited to reintroduce the Marc by Marc Jacobs ophthalmic collection to the marketplace. Marc Jacobs is one of the most coveted names in fashion today and the Marc by Marc Jacobs ophthalmic line is priced right for the target end consumer," says Dick Russo, executive vice president of Safilo USA.

INFO: 800-631-1188, www.safilousa.com

Carbon Light

MOREL LAUNCHES LIGHTEC CARBON COLLECTION

Carbon fiber is a super-strong and super-light material that is cutting the leading edge in performance-focused fields such as sports and technology. Expanding on the Lightec blend of lightness and technology in the service of comfort, Morel has launched the Lightec Carbon collection. The new concept, which won the Vision Choice Award at Vision Expo East's New Product Showcase, is fitted with a screwless alpha spring-hinge.

The frames in the collection are made up of high-tech composite materials using carbon fiber or glass fiber. Combined with the anthracite of carbon and the silver of glass fiber, the parts in polyurethane rubber are offered in neutral colors such as gray, black, and brown, as well as brighter versions in red and orange. The materials are combined with stainless steel and polyurethane rubber to make the temples flexible, solid, and comfortable.

Lightec Carbon has sleek, sporty lines in a contemporary shape and style. The masculine styles are available in two semi-rimless versions with a brow-bar and two rimless frames. The Lightec Carbon line comes with a specific Carbon point-of-purchase kit to promote the product as well as line-specific packaging.

INFO: 800-526-8838, www.morel-france.com

Frame Spotlight

Outdoor Classic

MCGEE PRESENTS ORVIS COLLECTION

An iconic American brand in the outdoor world since 1856, Orvis provides authentic products, knowledge, and experience that define the distinctive country lifestyle. Orvis is deeply rooted in sporting traditions, such as unsurpassed expertise in all things fly-fishing, which are the core of the Orvis brand.

The Orvis Eyewear collection, offered exclusively by The McGee Group, captures the spirit of Orvis' outdoors tradition with authentic style, craftsmanship, and quality. The 14-style Orvis optical collection is masculine in design, and features full-rim, half-rim, and three-piece drill mount designs in stainless steel, titanium, monel, and handmade acetate materials.

These classic designs offer traditional colors such as black, brown, and tortoise in matte and shiny finishes. Other frame details include Orvis-branded adjustable nosepads, metal logo plaques, spring hinges, carbon fiber and genuine leather inlays, and wood grain patterns that provide a professional outdoor-inspired look to Orvis Eyewear.

Orvis point-of-purchase materials include real wood six- and 12-place displays, a two-sided poster, logo plaque, and countercard. Each Orvis optical frame comes with a case sporting an embossed Orvis logo.

With the purchase of the entire Orvis Rainbow Trout collection, receive a $25 AMEX gift card, countercard, and logo plaque.

INFO: 800-966-2020, www.mcgeegroup.com

ISLAND STYLE

ROBERT MARC DEBUTS COLLECTION

Robert Marc's new collection is influenced by Harbour Island in The Bahamas. The colors and materials of this collection celebrate diverse elements of Bahamian island life. Nature-inspired motifs throughout the collection are paired with soft pastels and allude to the muted, sun-faded colors of the Colonial-style cottages that dot the island. An intricate, asymmetrical cross-hatch pattern in rich acetate brings to mind the palm leaves interwoven by the ocean breeze. A dark peppercorn-inspired speckled material that appears porous like coral, as well as a new bamboo print, provide interesting aesthetic counterpoints to traditional tortoiseshell.

The Limited Edition "Raffia" portion of the collection blends old world craftsmanship with modern design. An ultra-thin sheet of hand-woven raffia has been layered onto the temples and finished with a clear crystal acetate coat to create a surface tension between the coarse texture of the raffia and the polished acetate exterior. The limited edition collection of sunwear and ophthalmic eyewear is available in three earthy and sun-kissed tones.

INFO: www.RobertMarc.com