lines and launches

Amy Spiezio • Photography by Peter Baker

Never Too Slim

CHARMANT ROLLS OUT P.S. PLASTIC SLIM COLLECTION

Today's slim technology such as the iPhone and iPod have inspired the creation of P.S. Plastic Slim, a thin and lightweight collection of frames which are the latest offering from Charmant. P.S. Plastic Slim eyewear is designed to accommodate consumers who want the appearance of a plastic frame but are typically constrained due to fitting limitations. The P.S. Plastic Slim frames are made of TR-90, a nylon material which gives the temples flexibility. Adjustable nosepads add to the advanced fitting opportunities. A core wire is also embedded in the temple tip to allow for proper bending and a personalized fit.

The P.S. Plastic Slim collection includes three styles for men and five for women in a wide range of color and pattern options. The Charmant Group's UV inkjet printing process for frames allows for an array of color and pattern options to be offered. Merchandising materials include a 12-place counter display and animated visual. INFO: 800-645-2121, www.charmant.com

A Little Bit Rock-n-Roll LUCKY KID LAUNCHED BY REM Rock-n-roll retro isn't just for grown-ups anymore. With the launch of the Lucky Brand Kid Optical Collection, the music-infused culture of Lucky Brand is available to the younger generation in eyewear, too. Inspired by Lucky Brand Spectacles' adult line, the seven-frame kids' launch collection reflects the same vintage-inspired pedigree, with a little Lucky Kid playfulness thrown in. The line includes four girls' and three boys' styles in interesting and timeless shapes presented in three colors and two sizes each. Flashing back to the music scene of the 1970s, silhouettes pay homage to the offspring of influential musicians, from Ringo Starr to Mick Jagger. Laid-back construction in hues such as matte burgundy, eggplant purple, and deep blue capture the innocent spirit of childhood—while the Lucky Brand's signature comfort remains a backdrop. The brand's four-leaf clover is printed on temple tips in various colors. A Lucky Kid metal plaque is on the inside of the temple. Each purchase of a Lucky Kid frame comes with a free Lucky Brand youth peace-sign T-shirt and a kid-friendly case. Merchandising elements include a six-place display, a poster, and countercards. INFO: LuckyBrandSpectacles.com.

EYEWEAR BY THE BAY

ALTAIR DEBUTS SAN FRANCISCO COLLECTION The San Francisco collection has been added to the Altair California line. The six new styles were inspired by the City by the Bay and the collection includes three styles for women: Mission Bay, a multi-colored acetate frame with bamboo-inspired temple details and wide endpieces; North Beach, a milled metal front paired with elegant acetate flex temples; and Laurel Heights, a semi-rimless frame with multi-layer acetate in bold, two-tone colors. For men, Altair California features three styles: Ocean Beach, a semi-rimless combination frame with sculpted end-pieces; Union Square, a full-rim frame with an embedded pattern temple design featuring wood-inspired checkerboard acetate; and Embarcadero, a full-rim metal frame featuring sculpted bevel-cut endpieces with a delicate pressed metal pattern detail. Integrated spring hinges provide a sleek profile and comfortable fit. INFO: www.altair.com, 800-852-7600

Bright Ideas

CINZIA PRESENTS TRENDIES COLLECTION

Trendies by Cinzia is the latest launch by Cinzia Designs' head designer and CEO, Cynthia Shapiro. The collection is filled with funky offbeat shapes in the hottest seasonal colors. The initial roll-out of nearly 20 new styles consists of readers, sunreaders, and eight new additions to the pocket eyes series—a subgrouping of foldable readers that are small enough for the tiniest clutch or smallest pocket. Four different styles of bifocal sunreaders round out the debut collection for men and women. To complement the new looks in readers and sunwear, Cinzia Designs is also presenting a new line of coordinating eyewear necklaces in the same statement-making color palette. Each necklace is handcrafted in Cinzia's Scottsdale, Ariz., studio and is created to be a unique piece of wearable art with an open pendant designed to hold eyewear when not in use. INFO: 800-701-6765, www.trendiesbycinzia.com

IT'S A WRAP

LIVE EYEWEAR UNVEILS LIGHTGUARD

Eyecare professionals have expressed a need for high-quality, price-conscious post-operative eyewear in response to self-regulatory changes in the pharmaceutical market place. Live Eyewear introduces LightGuard as the solution. LightGuard Wrap offers superior scratch resistance, anti-fog, and UV400 protection, making it the highest quality post-operative eyewear on the market at an attractive pricepoint. LightGuard offers optical quality postoperative protection, and meets the eyewear standards of ANSI Z87.1-2003, EN 166, and AS/NZS 1337. Designed to deliver maximum protection from UV, reduce glare, and minimize direct air flow that can irritate sensitive eyes following surgery, the lightweight, sport-inspired design features an 8-base curve.

INFO: 800-834-2563, www.liveeyewear.com

Faithful Frames

EYES OF FAITH COMES TO MARKET

The Eyes of Faith collection involves the production, marketing, and sales of Christian-based eyewear products that exhibit solid craftsmanship and fashion-forward concepts, and an opportunity for Christian consumers to share their faith. The 12-piece collection has subtly spiritual features, such as a stained glass effect on the temple and a cross motif on other models. Founders Jim and Amy Schneider note that they launched the brand of eyewear to inspire hope through its mission. "Our purpose is to offer a brand of hope through giving back a minimum of 10 percent of gross sales to the Eyes of Faith Foundation," the Schneiders note.

INFO: 888-777-9390, www.eyesoffaithoptical.com

Kids' Looks

ZOOBUG ENTERS THE U.S. MARKET

Children's eyewear specialist Zoobug has secured distribution to launch the collection in the United States and Canada following the signing of an agreement with AccessUrEyez Eyewear (USA) and Kiss Eyewear (Canada). Since its launch in 2006, Zoobug has become known as a leading specialist for sunglasses and optical frames for children. The sunglasses for kids ages two to 12 combine safe levels of protection for young eyes in the sun, excellent optical clarity, and comfort, as well as fun, fashionable designs. The optical frames are designed specifically with young wearers� needs in mind. Features include easy-to-adjust rubber temple tips that can be trimmed to size by the dispenser, robust flex hinges, hypoallergenic materials, and unique, colorful retro-inspired shapes.

INFO: 888-517-0529, www.zoobug.co.uk