frame introductions

Amy Spiezio

1 ROMAN HOLIDAY

Robert Marc heads to Rome for his latest collection. The new 2011 Fall/Winter Robert Marc Collection reflects the Roman spirit, where the classic formulas of European craftsmanship are reinvented and given new colorful and luxurious lives.

Notes Robert Marc: “Rome is world famous as a destination for art, design, architecture, great food and traditions. There is a feeling of optimism and positive energy resonating among the opulent, century-old palazzos that I wanted to capture in this collection— a youthful, modern layer with crisp yet sensuous lines and distinctive, colorful materials.”

The Roman vitality is highlighted by materials detailed in strong colors, brilliant and lustrous jewel tones that create rich energy and high glamour. Color options include onyx, tiger eye, amethyst, sapphire, garnet, tortoise, olive havana, dark gray, navy blue, and midnight blue.

INFO: robertmarc.com

2 BEST IMAGE
	MODEL: Dolabany Collection style Romco MATERIAL: Italian zyl SIZE: 51/18-140 COLORS: Black, black crystal, brown crystal, purple crystal, and mahogany smoke MARKET: Unisex INFO: 305-477-4707, dolabanyeyewear.com

3 Summer Fun

Berlin-based eyewear specialists Lunettes Kollektion and London's Cooperative Designs knitwear have joined forces to create a limitededition summer eyewear collection.

The five-piece sunglass range starts with two of Lunettes Kollektion's carefully crafted frames and adds inspiration from Cooperative Designs' Spring/Summer 2012 collection, “Wish you were here.” Cut-outs transform the tinted lenses but don't impact vision, so wearers can both look good and see well. Colors are ash with gray lenses, miele (honey) with blue, and crystal with red.

To keep the sunnies from straying while adding a finishing touch, Cooperative Designs also created custom crochet glasses cords using yards from the S/S 2012 collection—choices include tri-tone blues, ruffly roses, and steely hearts. The collaboration sunglasses also come with a cleaning cloth printed with one of Cooperative Designs' original artworks.

INFO: lunetteskollektion.com

4 CHARMANT

MODEL: Elle style EL18942
MATERIAL: Acetate with metal “pearl” details
SIZE: Oversized
COLORS: Brown-red combo, pink
MARKET: Women
INFO: 800-645-2121, charmant.com

5 Mexx KIDS

Six new models have been introduced in the Mexx Eyes collection by OWP Brillen. The frames are fresh, with stylish temple features that kids can choose themselves, such as rubber decorations in pink, while little aspiring Indy 500 drivers might opt for the race car in black and red. Appealing to kids' tastes, these frames make wearing glasses a lot more fun while maintaining the fine craftsmanship and wearer comfort, company representatives note.

INFO: owp.de

FRAME INSIGHTS

Something for Everyone ClearVision Optical announces the Global Fit collection, a line of adjustable-fit frames debuting with styles from the BCBGMAXAZRIA brand. Global Fit was created to provide highly adjustable eyewear that addresses special fitting needs of a wide range of global ethnicities. Designed for individuals with a narrow or lower nose bridge and flatter facial structure, the Global Fit collection offers highly adjustable, fashion-forward eyewear for those who desire today's styles in a more “customized” fit. Constructed with a flatter base curve and longer, bowed temples that follow the natural shape of the head, Global Fit eyewear provides a more comfortable, secure fit that won't slip. All designs have gooseneck nosepad arms that adjust two ways for maximum adjustability. The collection offers chic, fashionable designs in modern, angular eye shapes that are flattering to all facial structures. “Global Fit fulfills a need in the marketplace for adjustable fit eyewear,” says Jennifer Coppel, ClearVision's manager of product design and development. “Global Fit will initially launch with four styles in BCBGMAXAZRIA and later expand to other top brands. These styles provide the same glamorous looks seen in the full BCBGMAXAZRIA collection but are tailored in design to accommodate unique physical attributes.” In addition, Global Fit's deeper, more saturated color palette of striking blacks, rich purples, deep blues, and luscious browns is designed to be complementary to many skin tones. As ClearVision's newest specialty collection, Global Fit rounds out its sized-to-perfection niche fits that also include Passion for Petites, XLFIT, and Style 'n Fit. ClearVision also will be developing new in-store point-of-purchase merchandising and imagery. INFO: 800-645-3733, cvoptical.com