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Eyewear’s Fashion Presence

Eyewear builds connections with fashion through a new section of the CFDA

eyewear has always walked a fine line between medical device and fashion accessory. Thanks to the creation of a new group, the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, eyewear will get an expanded reach in fashion, bringing eyewear buyers one step closer to fashion buyers. The head of the new committee, eyewear designer Christian Roth, spoke with Eyecare Business about how the new group will impact ECPs.

Q: CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE CFDA AND EDCDFA WILL DO?

Let us start to explain a little about the CFDA. The CFDA does a lot! The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc., (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962 that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 480 of America’s womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization offers programs which support professional development and scholarships.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has created the Eyewear Designers of the CFDA to boost the profile of the eyewear sector. The Eyewear Designers of the CFDA aim to inspire, empower, and promote awareness of eyewear design and the vitality of the optical industry through promotion, education, mentoring, and collaborative initiatives. In the beginning, the group will focus on two specific initiatives: runway partnerships or ready-to-wear collaborations, and establishing a CFDA Press Day for Eyewear Designers, slated for early 2015. Additionally, the Eyewear Designers of the CFDA will contribute to charitable efforts connected to the eyewear and fashion industry.

Q: HOW CAN FRAME BUYERS GET FASHION FOCUSED?

In today’s world, access to fashion trends became very easy. Eyecare professionals should take the advantage of social media, blogs, and fashion websites to stay tuned to the latest fashion trends. Consumers do the same; they are well informed about global lifestyle trends. Fashion is extremely important for the opticians.

Optometrists and opticians are becoming more brand aware, but knowing brand names is different than having a true understanding of eyewear design in the context of the larger world of fashion. Our category is by definition a “fashion accessory” and as such, those selling eyewear need to know what’s relevant and trending in apparel as well as in accessories. With the formation of the Eyewear Designers of the CFDA, we hope that our collective voice will help promote and educate at both the trade and consumer level the importance of design as well as bring attention to our industry as an important cog in the fashion wheel.

Q: WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF EYEWEAR AND FASHION WORKING TOGETHER?

Eyewear and fashion have been working together for a long time already. The eyewear brings the dream of high fashion and luxury to a wide range of consumers. To quote CFDA’s CEO, Steven Kolb, “The formation of the Eyewear Designers of the CFDA gives credit to the important role that these designers play not only in the accessories space, but in the American fashion industry at large.”

One of our first initiatives will be to link members of the edCDFA with apparel and other accessory designers who currently do not produce eyewear for potential collaborations for runway presentations as well as commercial ventures. It’s a perfect opportunity for us to build on natural synergies and to bring together talent. 

The 13 Eyewear Designers of the CFDA are: l.a.Eyeworks’ Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi, Blake Kuwahara’s Blake Kuwahara, Christian Roth’s Christian Roth, Illesteva’s Daniel Silberman and Justin Salguero, Oliver Peoples’ Larry Leight, Grey Ant’s Natalie Levy and Grant Krajecki, Barton Perreira’s Patty Perreira, Robert Marc’s Robert Marc, Selima Optique’s Selima Salaun, and Leisure Society’s Shane Baum. Roth, Gherardi, Salaun, and Kuwahara serve on the executive committee with Roth acting as the group’s spokesman. Shown here (l to r) are Roth, Salaun, Sands, Marc, Baum, Gherardi, and Kuwahara

Want to talk about what gives your frame buying flair? Please email executive editor Amy Spiezio, Amy.Spiezio@PentaVisionMedia.com