LEANING INTO LUXURY
After a significant pandemic-caused contraction in 2020, the personal luxury goods market has come roaring back.
In fact, this core luxury segment grew by 29% in 2021, a slight increase over its 2019 record, according to the 2021 Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study from Bain & Company.
The top performers in this segment? Shoes, accessories, and jewelry, according to Bain.
If your optical assortment doesn’t yet include a luxury component, it may be high time to add high-end to your mix; Bain reveals that the U.S. remains the single biggest national luxury market.
In luxury specs merchandise, opulence abounds. Incorporate the category with design-forward, logo-led looks in top-tier materials.
Here, the Linda Farrow Lea sunglasses raise the bar with a posh silhouette and cutout details.
BACK IN BUSINESS
Against the backdrop of the Big Apple, Vision Expo East made its triumphant return to NYC from March 31 to April 3.
“It was incredible to bring the vision care community together again in New York City for the first time since 2019,” says Fran Pennella, VP of Vision Expos at RX. “The show floor was buzzing with activity, and the energy, especially on day one, was palpable as motivated attendees and exhibitors reconnected with their peers, conducted business, and engaged with the education offerings.”
Dig in here for some snapshots of the fun.
For more coverage of Vision Expo East 2022, head to EB’s Facebook videos: facebook.com/eyecarebusiness/videos.
Behind the scenes of an EB Facebook Live with David Friedfeld (left), president of ClearVision Optical, and EB’s Erinn Morgan.
The NOW by Vision Expo showcase, which highlighted trending eyewear styles.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Four of the optical industry’s inspiring women were honored at the Optical Women’s Association’s 2022 Star Awards and champagne breakfast at Gotham Hall. From left: Jennifer Stewart, O.D., founder of OD Perspectives; Erinn Morgan, EB editor-in-chief/editorial director plus editorial director of Contact Lens Spectrum; Laura Dorris, executive VP and general manager of strategic sales for PECAA; and Katie Lauver, VP of business relations for GPN Technologies.
PHOTO: DANNY O’KEEFE PHOTOGRAPHY
EB hosted a trends talk on the fashion/eyewear styles for the season, complete with a model sporting frames. From right: Erinn Morgan, EB editor-in-chief and editorial director; Tarrence Lackran, VP, community relations—diversity & inclusion at Luxury Optical Holdings; Kerri Ann Raimo, EB managing editor; and Holland Smith of Wilhelmina Models.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Holland Smith of Wilhelmina Models during the EB trends talk in Tory Burch sun style TY9072U from EssilorLuxottica.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Two eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), Selima Salaun (left) and Christian Roth, Facetimed with Bilal Fellah, founder of Port Tanger, winner of the edCFDA Global Talent Search.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Cutler and Gross (available from Marchon Eyewear) debuted the Cutler and Gross x The Great Frog collection at Cutler and Gross SoHo.
Fashion innovator and author Dapper Dan (right), Vision Expo keynote speaker, shared his story with moderator Lilliana Vazquez, host of “E! News” and “Pop of the Morning.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Black Optical received the fourth annual OPTImum Retail Award. Here, Black Optical president Gary Black (left) stands with Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
EGOT star Whoopi Goldberg at the Piero Massaro booth.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
Industry influencer and optician Sheena Taff (who pens the #EBOpticalChecklist on page 18) snaps a pic in fresh frames.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION EXPO EAST 2022
State Optical Co. hosted a cocktail party with R&B star Maxwell at Morgenthal Frederics in SoHo, honoring the brand’s expanded collab with the artist.
PHOTO: BRANDON CARTER
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