Parlux Assigns Paris Hilton Sunglass License to Gripping Eyewear, Inc.

Parlux Fragrances, Inc. (NASDAQ: PARL) announced today an agreement with Gripping Eyewear, Inc. ("GEI"), assigning the world wide exclusive licensing rights with Paris Hilton Entertainment, Inc. for the production and distribution of Paris Hilton Sunglasses. Terms of the assignment were not disclosed.

"We are pleased that Paris Hilton sunglasses will now be available to the consumer from this innovative and creative company. The glamour and appeal of the Paris Hilton brand will be easily translated into this important accessory line," said Neil J. Katz, Chairman and CEO of Parlux.

Jimmy Jongebloed, President and CEO of GEI, commented, "Eyewear is a natural extension of Paris' already successful collections, including fragrances and footwear. The world wide Paris Hilton brand exudes beauty and elegance, which we intend to capture in her sunglass line." Mr. Jongebloed continued, "We own several patents involving magnetic technology in eyewear, eyewear accessories and displays, as well as other patented accessories which will be designed by, and especially for, Paris Hilton. GEI is pleased to accompany Paris in her eyewear debut and in deriving great potential in the luxury fashion sector. We anticipate launching Paris' sunwear collection in major department stores this summer."

About Parlux

Parlux Fragrances, Inc. is a manufacturer and international distributor of prestige products. It holds licenses for Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, GUESS?, Nicole Miller, Natori, Queen Latifah, XOXO, Ocean Pacific (OP), Andy Roddick, babyGund, and Fred Hayman Beverly Hills designer fragrances, as well as Paris Hilton watches, cosmetics, sunglasses, handbags and other small leather accessories.

About GEI

GEI owns several patents involving magnetic technology in eyewear, eyewear accessories and displays, as well as other patented accessories. Proprietary features allow GEI to offer the worldwide consumer unique benefits in eyewear with the style and elegance of Paris Hilton.

Certain Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or its industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, future trends in sales and the Company's ability to successfully introduce, acquire, or launch new brands, licenses, or products in a cost-effective manner, general economic conditions and continued compliance with the covenants in its credit facility. Additional risk factors are set forth in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

FMG Surfer Marc Lacomare Signs Two Year Deal With Oakley Eyewear

18 year-old French surfer Marc Lacomare from Hossegor starts off 2009 with a new eyewear sponsor. Marc signed a two-year deal with Oakley Eyewear right before taking off to the Billabong World Junior Championships in Australia where he came third and finished the highest ranked European.

"I know this might sound cheesy, but I'm really happy to be able to sign with a strong and prestigious brand such as Oakley. Oakley has a great support system and an equally great surf team. I was just yesterday thinking how amazing it would be to go a surf trip with Bruce Irons... The other good news is that I will be working closely with Yann Martin who is the Oakley team manager in France and also a great coach."

Says Yann Martin, Oakley team manager France: "I'm equally thrilled to have Marc on the Oakley team. He's a very talented surfer and shows maturity beyond his years. He had some very good results this year and to sign him up was a no-brainer for us; the second place at the Oakley Global Challenge, the French national Junior title, the European Junior title in Morocco and now the third place in Narrabeen at the World Juniors. Marc had nerves of steal during this contest, especially during his heat with Owen Wright, who was touted one of the event's favorites.
However, that's not all, because he also loves to charge big barrels. I'm sure Marc and Oakley will have a great future together."

Marc Lacomare is sponsored by DC, Oakley, Kommunity Project, Pukas Surfboards, FCS and Bidonvilla Sushibar.

FMG (Friday Management Group) is an action sports athlete management company, with a focus on quality before quantity.

FMG's goal is to provide its clients the necessary support and guidance to help them develop and maximize their careers. FMG is founded on the principles of commitment, forging long-term relationships and a 'nothing-is-impossible' attitude. The company is formed by independent sports TV production specialists, Friday.

Miu Miu oversized retro sunglasses

It's around this time of year that the big design houses start reminding us what Spring/Summer dressing is all about, and in accessories that means the advent of brand new sunglasses. Oversized retro numbers for the ladies aren't going anywhere, and Miu Miu's new pairs are the perfect vintage homage.

These two pairs are new in at ASOS and take obvious inspiration from the sixties and seventies. Their seventies pair (left) have an added angular detail that makes them a truly genuine reproduction. With the use of classic tortoiseshell on both sets of frames, these make classics that avoid datedness easily.

Researchers blame extreme light exposure for degenerated vision

Light is, undoubtedly, a vital part of human existence, but too much of eye exposure to light can lead to steady vision degeneration with age, according to an Australian.

Professor Jonathan Stone from The Vision Centre at University of Sydney led the research. The team claims that their research has enough proof to convince that cumulative light exposure in an individual's lifespan can result in weak vision and the loss may further continue with the aging process.

"We're born with about 150 million light-sensitive cells – known as photoreceptors – in each eye. All through our life we lose these at a steady rate of hundreds every day, but some people lose them much faster than others, with the result that they go blind – sometimes quite early in life," said Stone.

"These light-sensitive photoreceptors are remarkably tough, and most people still have 100 million or so left by the time they reach their 70s or 80s," Stone added. He explained that the photoreceptors cells begin to lose in late stage of life, leading to dimmed eyesight or even complete vision loss.

According to Stone, "The eye contains a great many highly-specialized genes, which affect no other part of the body, and these in turn produce many random mutations. It is these mutations which make the normally gradual degeneration of the retina more acute in some people than in others."

If light exposure is limited all through the life, particularly in middle and old age, then these photoreceptors may last longer through the older years. The research team suggested sunglasses as one effective way of cutting down the exposure.

Stone commented, "Most sunglasses will reduce by 25-50 per cent the amount of outdoors light from entering the eye and, knowing what I now do as a result of years of work in this field, I never go outside without my sunnies."

Even though, some exposure is essential to avert myopia and eyeball distortion in kids, researchers believe that too much exposure could well be damaging and irreparable. Being mindful to the amount of light exposure in childhood and adolescence years, can be rewarding in later years of an individual's life.

"However our research clearly indicates that there are also environmental factors at work which cause the eye to lose photoreceptors more rapidly, especially in people with a certain genetic makeup," said Stone.

To some extent, a protective antioxidant-rich diet can slow down this age-specific vision degeneration. While researches are on ways to fix damaged vision, wearing a sunglass outdoors might just be equally good.

Stone noted that "It appears that by managing the oxygen levels in the eye, through diet and other methods, we can slow down and possible even reverse the loss of photoreceptors, and we are planning a clinical trial to test this idea."

Sony unveils flexi-video screen, movie glasses

Sony Corp on Thursday unveiled a bendable video screen and eyeglasses that allow the wearer to watch a movie from any location, saying the industry must keep innovating in the middle of a severe economic slump.

Chief Executive Howard Stringer demonstrated a range of new devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, including the flexible OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen playing a video of singer Beyonce.

Stringer also showed off prototype eyeglasses with built in video screens, letting users view movies wherever they are.

Sony announced it had enlisted video game publisher Electronic Arts for its fledgling home online PlayStation service, and signed up Viacom Inc's MTV Networks to provide more than 2,000 hours of video content.

Kaz Harai, head of Sony computer entertainment, said the company had signed up 2.1 million new users for the online network in the most recent month.

Sony, which on Wednesday said it had seen sales of some of its core products exceed expectations during the just-ended U.S. holiday season, is hoping to stoke consumer demand in 2009 with new, cutting-edge product.

The Japanese firm, which pioneered the Walkman and once dominated the high-end electronics marketplace, is going through a painful restructuring that will see it shed 16,000 jobs and curb investment to try to save $1 billion. Analysts and media speculate more measures are in the works.

The maker of Bravia flat TVs and PlayStation 3 video game consoles, hoping to breathe life into a loss-making TV arm, on Wednesday trotted out a new line of eco-friendly, ultra-slim TVs.

Carl Zeiss takes on Vuzix with new video eyewear

Carl Zeiss has announced a new version of its Cinemizer video eyewear at Macworld 2009 in San Francisco on Tuesday.

The company, which is more famous for its lenses on Sony digital cameras and Nokia mobile phones, believes that outside of the lens business consumers want goggles that enable them to enjoy video at home or on the go.

"We see people wanting to use the goggles at home, for the kids in the back of the car or on a plane", Andreas Klavehn, senior sales and marketing manager for multimedia devices at Carl Zeiss.

That viewpoint is very different from competing eyewear maker Vuzix whose design and approach is heading more towards a heads up display approach. It has just announced a more sunglasses styled product at CES in Las Vegas.

The Zeiss Cinemizer plus has according to Klavehn been updated and improved over the original Zeiss Cinemizer video eyewear released last year in Germany.

The Cinemizer combines high-resolution LCD screens with individual diopter focus adjustment (-3.5 to +3.5D) allowing for users who wear glasses to still focus on the screen. The eyewear also adds on-ear headphones and the ability to override them with your own headphones.

Klavehn believes the true success will rest in 3D video "once content becomes widely available".

Carl Zeiss says it is actively lobbying Hollywood studios to offer consumer versions of the 3D movies they are creating. Of 5545 (indoor) cinemas in the US, there are 1068 3D capable screens, which are showing a rapidly growing number of 3D movies. But currently there are very few options to bring the 3D experience into the consumer realm.

The Cinemizer plus will be available in the USA, UK and Germany from March 2009 with an expected price of a rather expensive £300.

What Advances in Eye Care and Eyewear Can We Expect in 2009?

Researchers are working on liquid-based lenses for use as implanted contact lenses, cataract surgery lenses and general vision correction. Like plastic and glass, liquid can bend light rays to help eyes achieve precise focus.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may have suffered defeat as a vice presidential candidate in 2008. But in 2009 we expect her famous rectangular eyeglasses to endure as a fashion trend.

Soon you may be able to switch from dark sunglasses to clear lenses simply by touching a control in your eyeglass frame.
By introducing corrected genes to replace defective ones, eye doctors may be able to cure inherited forms of blinding eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Artificial implants that stimulate light-sensitive cells in the retina of the eye are showing promise. With continued development, these retinal implants may improve vision for people with eye damage from diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Soon people with presbyopia may be able to wear electronically controlled multifocal eyeglasses with powers that adjust instantly for clear vision at different distances. The lenses will create a larger field of view and eliminate many of the optical limitations of current bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses.

If final FDA approval occurs, soon you may be able to purchase a product that stimulates eyelash growth for cosmetic purposes. It’s based on a glaucoma drug, which has the hair growth side effect.

Contact lenses may soon serve as a drug delivery system for people suffering from eye allergies, glaucoma or other eye conditions that require frequent use of eye drop medication. The lenses will release the drugs onto the surface of the eye in a controlled, timed-release fashion and eliminate the common problem of people forgetting to use their eye drop medicines.
Chemically treated eyeglass lenses that automatically change tints in sunlight or shade are becoming more sophisticated, and these light-sensitive (or "photochromic") lenses will be offered in more colors.

If you need cataract surgery in the future, you'll likely have more access to different kinds of artificial lenses that can provide vision at all distances simultaneously. Most current cataract lenses provide sharp focus only at one distance, such as far or near.

Contact lenses with built-in microsensors that monitor eye pressure soon may help glaucoma patients monitor their eye pressure at home, just as patients with high blood pressure and diabetes can self-monitor their diseases between doctor visits with blood pressure and blood glucose monitors.
Sophisticated ways of measuring how the eye sees may mean that your eye exams will be more automated and instantaneous, making conventional eye charts obsolete.

The struggling U.S. economy will continue to affect the LASIK and other corrective surgery market in 2009. But LASIK's loss is eyewear's gain: many people who were considering refractive surgery will continue wearing contacts or purchase stylish eyeglasses instead.

Wavefront optical technology increasingly will be used to create contact lenses and eyeglasses that produce sharper vision than currently available lenses. These advanced lenses will enable many wearers to see significantly better than 20/20.

Solar Powered Shades Offer Infinite Energy

Designers Hyun-Joong Kim & Kwang-Seok Jeong create the world’s first “Self-Energy Converting Sunglasses” or called SIG. The SIG sunglasses feature lenses made of dye solar cells that are able to collect energy throughout the day, turning them into electricity to power your small devices through the power jack at the back of the frame.

"The dye solar cell is described by the designers of the SIG as ”cheap organic dye [used with] nano technology [providing] cheap but high energy efficiency.” Inexpensive, light, and visible-ray penetrable. The lens turns sunlight rays, (rays that would otherwise harm the eye,) into electrical energy".

Unless you're Bono*, you will only wear your sunglasses in bright, outdoor light, which is why these Solar Powered Sunglasses are such a great idea. That they are shaped like infinity itself is a mere nerd bonus from the designers of the "Self-Energy Converting Sunglasses", aka SIG.

They're just a concept right now, but we'd suggest that someone (please, not Oakley) gets making these things soon. Running a cable to your head from your MP3 player is an everyday task, so the wires shouldn't be too annoying. The specs should also have built-in earbuds to cut down on clutter, and a much longer cable to hook up phone or iPod -- the one in the picture is ridiculously short.

Add in a couple of LCD displays and a waterproof keyboard and I'd be in heaven. I could blog from the beach, simultaneously turning my skin into bronzed, wrinkled leather as is the custom of all Brits living in Spain.

*If you are Bono, we have a request. Any chance of releasing a decent song ever agian? Your last good album came out 20 years ago.

Split Thump: An MP3 Player hidden in Oakley Sunglasses

Split Thump is the latest high-end pair of sunglasses from Oakley. As we all know, looks are deceptive, and at first glance this Split Thump pair of shades appears perfectly normal. But the fact is that these slim and stylish sunglasses from Oakley are actually an MP3 player in disguise. These lightweight sunglasses have a polished black frame with grey tinted lenses. These sunglasses have been designed in a way that they are sweat resistant, thereby giving access to joggers as well.

Oakley has designed the sunglasses with the MP3 player to suit your world and at the same time rock it. The Split Thump shades look every bit as stylish as any other pair of elite Oakley sunglasses, like the Oakley Minute Sunglasses, for example. Now you can virtually listen to the music anywhere by just either plugging in the speakers or the headphones and can simply unplug them when you just don’t need them. There are control buttons present on your sun glasses about which only you know. Therefore, now you have the convenience of controlling your entire music without anybody even coming to know about it.

This is a highly comprehensive wireless solution provided by Oakley where you just carry the music in something which you already have it with you. Split Thumb from Oakley features high definition Optics protection along with crisp and clear sound quality. The MP3 player is compatible with almost all the audio formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA, M4A, AAC and WMA with DRM 9.0. Oakley Split Thump is definitely a combination of an uncomplicated style and music which has been crystallized into original and clean sunglasses.

Sexy sunnies, Sunglasses not just for summer

Conspicuous logos and white frames a la Victoria Beckham are on the way out, but over-sized sunnies, aviators and mirror glasses are hot, hot, hot.

Any self-respecting fashionista can tell you sunglasses are about more than protecting your eyes against the sun.

Your sunnies can hide tired or red eyes while adding glamour, mystery, elegance and impact to any outfit.

And as Bono has shown, nothing screams “rock-star” more than a cool pair of sunglasses worn indoors, at night or when there isn’t a ray of sun around.

Here are a few upcoming trends in these perennial fashion faves.

BIG AND ROUND

Over-sized sunglasses are still very in, according to Dawn Klimaszewski, marketing director for Maui Jim sunglasses. “In fashion, the big thing is the big frames. But it’s evolving. More rounded, smaller.”

LOGOS ON THE OUT

Longtime luxury brand lovers are looking for a way to differentiate themselves from their flashier counterparts with understated elegance.

FLYING HIGH

Aviators are still big for men and women, says Melanie Martin, spokeswoman for the New York-based Sunglass Association of America.

Klimaszewski adds: “Oversized is fashion, but aviators are hot everywhere else.”

CLASSICS

Vintage-inspired remains hot, Martin says.

“Some of those vintage glasses used to have a flat lens. But new lenses can have a full wrap with details inspired by Jackie O, but wrapped a little more around your face, which gives you more protection.”

HAUTE HUES

Shiny black is No 1. From the vintage trend, tortoise shell remains popular and champagne shades are gaining fast.

White sunglasses are fading, while navy continues to be strong. Fluorescents are said to be on the ascent, including those from names like Dior.

SPARKLE

Jewellery lines like Tiffany and Bulgari are huge right now, says Barry Kay of Hollywood Eyes.

“They copy their jewellery designs on the sides of the frames. They sell well because of the uniqueness.”

These glasses can get pricey, though.

A limited-edition design from Fendi, loaded with hand-placed Swarovski crystals, goes for around $US1,000.

MIRROR, MIRROR

What goes best with your metallic dress or your foil-effect T-shirt?

Mirror-like materials are beginning to shine, especially with high-tech metals and colourful plastics from the likes of Jimmy Choo and Dior.

Palin's frames

The recent spate of press coverage and blog twitters about Sarah Palin's 704 series Kazuo Kawasaki designed titanium frames brings to mind an old saying, "The clothes make the man." So, does it also follow that that "The eyewear makes the woman?" Or we could expand our theory somewhat and ask if "The eyewear makes the woman qualified?"

As Palin and her supports labor to shore up the vice-presidential candidate's credentials for the job against what some say is significant evidence to the contrary, it is curious that so much attention is given to her choice of eyewear. It is hardly surprising for the press to analyze the sartorial selections of female politicians--we are just now recovering from the intense scrutiny of Hillary Clinton's pantsuits, and who could forget Condaleezza's "boot-gate"?--yet glasses, a small though arguably functional accessory, seem insignificant by comparison. However, their relative contribution to a larger "ensemble" belies the unique and transformative power of glasses on women. They have a semiotic charge that can simultaneously de-sex (remember Dorothy Parker's famous couplet, "Men don't make passes/at girls who wear glasses") and empower. If you buy into the vernacular of popular culture, then you will easily recognize that dowdy, intelligent woman wearing glasses in the classic Hollywood film, who will (before the credits roll) let her hair down, take off her glasses and transform into a sexy vixen who finds satisfaction and fulfillment in love (read: sex). If we follow that line of logic backwards, we can return the starlet to her un-sexy, intellectually respectable identity, by sweeping her hair back up and putting on the glasses.

So perhaps the 704 series Kawasaki frames are Palin's way of dethroning her old beauty queen persona and of adding a layer of studious authority to all those close-ups. Or maybe she just doesn't like contacts. Either way, like Clinton's pantsuits they are signifiers and not qualifiers, and we would much rather know about Palin's plans for bringing health care to the uninsured than how many pairs of glasses she owns.

Optometrists focus on giving

Charitable group provides eye care where needed
Destiny Dubois, Samuel Sauceda and Skylar Tufts jostled a bit for the right to take five tests.

It's not normal behavior for second-and third-graders, rushing to an unsure academic fate, but these weren't regular exams, either.
The youngsters were first in line this week at downtown San Diego's Monarch School to receive free eye care from a group of volunteers who help at health fairs and other events.

That didn't matter to Destiny, 8.

“We're doing math right now,” she said. “I don't want to go back to class.”

Then a scary realization sank in.

“Does he have to wear glasses?” Samuel asked as Skylar, the first patient, read from the eye chart. “Do I have to wear glasses?”

No, as it turned out. The optometrists, from the San Diego Optometric Society and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in La Jolla, found few problems among the 100 children and teens they examined – three of the first 30 were referred for more care. Free eyeglasses will be provided, if necessary.

Byron Newman, a semiretired optometrist from San Carlos who helped arrange the exams, tested the children's ability to follow a moving object, the final test. If it is limited, he said, their reading skills could be affected.

“That keeps them from being able to study or perform in school,” Newman said.

Evan Square, a shaggy-haired 11-year-old, told Newman that he has frequent headaches. Reading also bothers him. He was unsure how he would respond if he needed a fix for his vision.

“I'd be like, shocked,” the sixth-grader said. “It would be kind of, news, that I have to wear glasses.”

Marcus Coney, 12, recently lost his second pair of glasses. He didn't think he would be eligible for the exams.

“I already had glasses,” Marcus said. “I guess I get to do it because I got to get new ones.”

The Monarch School, which is marking its 20th anniversary, provides services for homeless and at-risk students. In addition to the vision clinic this week, nurses and dental professionals also are available for the children.

They aren't the only ones who can receive free eye care, said Sean South, of the California Optometric Association.

A charitable arm of the group offers about $3 million in care and in-kind services to disadvantaged families annually. Another program provides glasses to 1,300 military dependents.

There are many openings for aid in San Diego, an area that South said has not taken advantage of the opportunities.

“We have more doctors than we have patients,” he said.

Transitions Lenses named Official Eyewear of TOUR

Transitions Optical, Inc. and the PGA TOUR today announced a global four-year official marketing partnership designating Transitions lenses as the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

"Aligning with Transitions Optical creates a powerful partnership for the PGA TOUR and golfers everywhere," said Tom Wade, chief marketing officer, PGA TOUR. "In Transitions, we have a partner with a global brand platform that is not only relevant to golfers, but to all those who value healthy sight and who lead active lifestyles or simply enjoy spending time outdoors."

Golf enthusiasts -- professionals and amateurs alike -- depend on healthy sight for optimal performance. Playing golf requires a range of visual skills, including eye-hand coordination, speed and accuracy of eye movements, focusing, depth perception, judgment of location, and reading contours. From reading the greens to judging a putt, vision is critical to enhancing a golfer's game and prolonging ability to play. With such obstacles as varying lighting and playing conditions and ongoing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, their visual ability can be affected without proper eyecare and eyewear.

As part of the announcement, Transitions Optical introduced a broad-reaching consumer education program -- Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game -- complete with tips and tools that link healthy, quality sight to athletic performance.

"Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game embodies Transitions Optical's commitment to educate consumers about the importance of healthy sight and quality of sight as contributors to optimal sports performance," said Brett Craig, president, Transitions Optical.

Transitions lenses are clear indoors and at night, while outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change. This provides visual comfort and enhances visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast. Whether a game of golf stretches from morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening, or takes place in bright sunshine or overcast conditions, Transitions lenses always block 100 percent of harmful UV rays while providing the right amount of tint. This provides an advantage over regular clear lenses and sunglasses which do not adjust to changing light conditions.

"Varying light and playing conditions combined with ongoing exposure to ultraviolet radiation without proper eyecare and eyewear may compromise everyday performance and visual ability," said Lawrence D. Lampert, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.** Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and sports vision specialist and trainer. "Photochromic lenses, such as Transitions lenses, are the ideal everyday lens choice for golfers, as well as those avid golf fans who want to achieve and enjoy healthy sight on and off the course."

Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game will be introduced to consumers later this year through retailers, independent eyecare professionals and a robust interactive experience. Point-of-sale materials, educational tools, and a Web site featuring a downloadable widget will offer healthy sight and golf tips to enhance vision and improve performance. Consumers can also enter to win a weekend getaway for two at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

As the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, Transitions Optical is proud to sponsor the Transitions Championship, which tees off March 16-22, 2009 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla.

TAG HEUER Night Vision eyeglasses for safer driving

Driving at night is far more dangerous than driving in daylight according to the statistics. Though only 10% of road miles are driven in the dark, 48% of road fatalities occur at night. That’s primarily because at night our pupils dilate, and we become short-sighted, though glare, halos, and reduced peripheral vision all contribute to ocular tiredness. TAG Heuer has released a set of ophthalmic Night Vision glasses specifically designed to correct dark-induced myopia, reduce glare, contrast the dark blue surroundings without changing colour perception and ultimately offer safer driving after dark.

The US$400 night driving glasses were originally developed specifically for the Peugeot race team’s Le Mans 24 hour racing efforts, through TAG Heuer’s long involvement with motor racing, but they have now surfaced as a mainstream product with a very compelling feature set, particularly when you consider how much a set of these innovative glasses might reduce the probability of an accident.

The Night Vision frames are made of titanium and over-moulded with an anti-slip elastomer, so they’re light, flexible around the temple area and the height of driving chic. As they are specifically designed to be worn under a helmet, they make a lot of sense for motorcycle riding too.

The frames are available in both Wide and Panorama, and the pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception.

The special ophthalmic lenses are shatter-resistant, provide complete UV-A and UV-B protection, and offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces glare and offers more accurate sight from dusk to dawn.

Controlling any vehicle on the road is a sight response game where mistakes can cost you your life, so we’re giving these a huge “thumbs up.”

International Players Tour adopts Oakley as its Official Eyewear

International Players Tour (IPT) announces the selection of Oakley as the “Official Eyewear” of the IPT, joining the best athletes in the world who recognize that Oakley eyewear products provide the best optical clarity, impact resistance, and UV protection in the industry.

Under the terms of their agreement, IPT will promote Oakley eyewear to its membership at the 200+ events across the country in 2008, including major events such as the Ted Rhodes Classic and the 2008 Tour Championship Week later in the season.

Ron Beaman, Founder and President of IPT, voiced his excitement with the Oakley relationship, “Partnering with Oakley is a huge step for our organization. Their recognized leadership and endorsements in sports parallel our commitment at IPT to provide the best playing experience for our membership. And we’re indeed honored to promote their brand in our many events across the country.”

As stated on their web site – www.oakley.com – “Oakley was created for world-class athletes, those who see the limits of possibility as just another challenge. Their dedication drives us to look beyond the conventional ideas of industry standards. It’s in our DNA to identify problems, create inventions, and wrap those inventions in art. And simply to make things better than anyone thought possible.”

Buy Oakley Sunglasses

John Galliano signs global eyewear license with Marcolin

The Marcolin Group, one of the global leaders in the eyewear industry and Les Jardins d’Avron S.A., the company producing and distributing John Galliano’s Products, announced the signature of an exclusive license agreement for the production and worldwide distribution of men’s and women’s sunglasses and prescription frames under the brand John Galliano. The 5-year licensing agreement, renewable for another 2 years, will be effective September 1st, 2009 and the first John Galliano Eyewear collection will be unveiled in Fall 2009. The distribution will be selective and focused in the most prestigious accounts and Department Stores worldwide, as well as John Galliano boutiques. The expertise and know-how in the production and distribution of eyewear by Marcolin Group and the creativity, inspiration and design of John Galliano are a guarantee to a successful cooperation. John Galliano, stated: 'S unglasses and eyewear are essential accessories to make a statement on and off the runway and I am really excited to give them a Galliano twist. I am thrilled to be working with Marcolin and to add eyewear to the Galliano brand. I can't wait to begin a new vision in vision!'” Maurizio Marcolin, Style & Licensing Officer of the Marcolin Group, stated: “John Galliano is a true genius. It’s a tremendous opportunity for Marcolin to work with such a talented designer. This new agreement further establish Marcolin’s strategy in pursuing top Luxury Brands where to exploit our competitive advantage.”

Marcolin Group

Safilo sees Gucci licence renewal "as soon as possible"

Italian eyewear maker Safilo expects to renew a licence with Gucci "as soon as possible", Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Massimiliano Tabacchi said on Wednesday.

"The Safilo team and Gucci team are working together for the renewal ... we anticipate this renewal, it is a very important renewal for us," Tabbachi told analysts on a conference call.

"We expect to have this renewal as soon as possible."

Safilo H1 net falls, cuts 2008 forecasts

Italian eyewear maker Safilo (SFLG.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) reported a fall in net profit of more than a third in the first half of the year, hit by a weak dollar, and cut its 2008 forecasts because of weak European markets.

Safilo, whose brands include Armani, Dior and Gucci, said in a statement net profit fell to 21.1 million euros ($32.89 million) from 33.3 million euros a year ago. Net sales fell to 637 million euros from 667.8 million euros.

"We believe that the European market will continue to remain weak even in the upcoming months and we are therefore looking to the second part of the year with greater caution," Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Massimiliano Tabacchi said in the statement.

Safilo cut its forecast for sales growth for the year to around 4 percent at constant exchange rates from a previous forecast of 7 percent to 8 percent.

It expects EBITDA at around 13.5 percent to 14 percent of revenues, down from a previous estimate of about 15 percent. Net profit should be 3 percent to 3.5 percent of revenues, down from a previous forecast of 4.5 percent to 5 percent.

WEAK DOLLAR

Safilo registers around 40 percent of its business in dollars, and said its performance was penalised by the "ever more marked weakness of the U.S. dollar."

At constant currencies, net sales rose 1.3 percent.

American sales saw double-digit growth at constant exchange rates with the consolidation of new retail stores and a chain in Mexico as well as the "good increase" in prescription frames and sunglass sales volumes in the wholesale business.

Asia saw double-digit growth, with "particularly brilliant results" in the Chinese and Korean markets. Spain, Britain and Germany were particularly hit by fragile consumer buying.

In Italy, results were in-line with last year. Safilo noted weak re-orders in Europe in May and June.

Safilo competes with Italy's Luxottica (LUX.MI: Quote, Profile, Research), to whom it lost a deal with designer Stella McCartney. Analysts say Luxottica's signing the McCartney brand, part of French group PPR (PRTP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) which also owns Gucci, puts more pressure on Safilo to renew the Gucci licence.

Tabacchi said negotiations on this were going "pretty good."

"We expect to have this renewal as soon as possible," he told analysts on a conference call.

Safilo shares closed up 7.26 percent at 1.15 euros before the statement came out.

How to get dressed: Sunglasses

Lasting doom is upon us this summer. How do we know? The invasion of coloured sunglasses
Once in a while, an everyday item strays so far from its original functional purpose that one finds oneself wondering whether civilisation really has plumbed so far into the depths of decadence that only universal and lasting doom is left.

If that sounds a little melodramatic, not to mention alliterative, I’m afraid coloured sunglasses are to blame. By coloured, I don’t mean the various muted shades of tortoiseshell or black that used to pass for choice in the dim and distant past when Reason still held sway. And by sunglasses, I don’t mean the lenses, where colour may indeed serve a useful ophthalmic purpose. I mean the frames. For as you will have noticed – unless you have been fortunate enough to have spent what passes for our laughable summer on Pluto – red, yellow, green and, lawksamercy, pink sunglasses are the very height of fashion this year.

That’s progress for you: last year, we had the very silly-looking white sunglasses craze. This year, we have the completely stupid school of Bob the Builder, multicoloured, very plastic look. Which means that if spending half the morning co-ordinating your hair extensions with your vast collection of Birkins isn’t enough to fulfil you creatively as an artist, then you can at least bolt on another hour or two while you decide whether to match or clash your specs with your toenails.

Perhaps it’s the experimental nature of this display that in part explains the appeal of coloured sunnies. Or perhaps Ray-Ban just sent out loads of freebies. Either way, all the usual suspects have been turning out in support of this trend: Lily Allen in a lime pair, Paris in – surprise, surprise – a pink pair, Jessica Simpson in a red pair, Drew Barrymore and Sienna in white (must be a retro thing), and where they so fearlessly tread, others follow. Type “coloured sunglasses” into Google and the screen leaps to life with blogs from lesser mortals plaintively asking where they can get hold of cheaper versions (Topshop, for starters).

The funny thing is that while sunglasses are supposed to be the modern-day equivalent of a mask, the expression on all these coloured sunglasses wearers is all too blatantly apparent. It’s the “Hey, I don’t take myself seriously, you know; now where’s that assistant who wipes the gunk off my shoes?” look. If sticking your tongue out at paps wasn’t so 2007 and flicking a V for Victory wasn’t so 1945, they’d do that instead. So top marks for ingenuity. And A* all round, I suppose, for reacting to this rubbish summer with an utterly rubbish pair of sunglasses.

As for why mere mortals are buying them in packs, my extensive research suggests that they find the classic tasteful sunglasses of their mothers boring. That would be boring in the same way that Mies van der Rohe is boring. Oh well, they’ll learn.

Hawaiian brand Maui Jim sashays into Europe

US. Maui Jim Sunglasses, the Hawaiian supplier of sports, fashion and classic sunglasses, has unveiled new frames featuring patented multi-layered PolarizedPlus2 lens construction, said to give unrivalled protection from UV and glare and excellent colour definition.

Kula, a stylish wraparound shield, has a single lightweight polycarbonate lens which has been coated to protect the eyes from direct, reflected and bounce-back glare. Broad temple design with strong silver alloy hinges and wide legs with a subtle stripe present a smart contemporary look. The rimless style has a robust and lightweight design.

Kula (style 514) is available in black with grey lenses, metallic copper with HCL bronze, or Sandstone with Maui Rose lenses. Fashionable white is one of the frame colourways on offer with the new Kaimana and Lehua sunglasses.

Kaimana (style 204) is a mid-size rectangular frame with SuperThin ST lenses which is available in black with grey, and green or brown with HCL bronze and well as white with Maui Rose lenses.

Lehua (style 203) is a rounded frame with wide temples for a fashionable look. Besides white, this frame comes in brown with HCL Bronze and black with grey ST lenses.

On display at the TFWA Asia Pacific show in May were the new Kapena (207) and Harbor (206) aviator shapes, both made from Monel metal for durability and adjustability with non-slip nose-pads and spring hinges.

The styles are available in gunmetal black frame with neutral grey lens or matte bronze with HCL bronze lens. Kapena has an unusual two-tone temple design and Harbor has a mottled pattern on one side of the temple and a solid colour on the opposite side.

The sophisticated new Peahi (202) style in lightweight, hypoallergenic nylon (cellulose propionate) also boasts SuperThin lenses and rectangular frame and clean masculine lines. It is offered in black with neutral grey lens or tortoiseshell effect with HCL bronze lens.

Left: The Kula wraparound shield style in copper and bronze. Right: The Kapena aviator shape with two-tone temple design

Progress in European and Americas travel retail

Following the 2008 IAADFS show in the Americas, Maui Jim has achieved new listings with independent retailers in Texas, St Kitts, Guyana and Uruguay.

The company has also entered an agreement with Gebr Heinemann starting with Mauritius Duty Free Paradise Co and expanding later to travel retail outlets in Europe.

At Aelia outlets in France, sales of Maui Jim Sunglasses in the first quarter were more than double last year's figure.

Meanwhile, at World Duty Free in the UK, the Maui Jim Sport collection has seen sales up +30% but the latest fashion models, including Palms and Bamboo, are also performing well, according to the company.

Kappé International introduced the Maui Readers bifocal reading sunglasses at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the response has been excellent, said the supplier.

After just three months of listings at Moscow Domodedovo Airport with Aer Rianta International, the brand was ranked the third most popular sunglasses label and listings in Kiev and Sheremetyevo Airports have followed.

Speaking of the brand's success in Europe, Maui Jim Sales Manager Duty Free Europe and Middle East Martine Larroque said: "We have launched a string of great new styles recently from retro-glamour girl frames to slick masculine lines and all with our unique patented PolarizedPlus anti-glare technology. Now the brand is really taking off in fashion-conscious Europe."

Love Your Sunglasses (Should I Know You?)

THE Ilori store in SoHo must be one of the only sunglass emporiums with a V.I.P. room. Lounging there with a flute of Moët, nibbling dark chocolate, shoppers can ponder just the right accessory to create the allure that they are Somebodies.

Will these Tom Ford wood-and-steel aviators convince onlookers that my natural habitat is the red carpet? Will Ralph Lauren’s $350 shades suggest I have stepped off a yacht in Edgartown?

To see for themselves, shoppers can peer into six full-length mirrors around the store, the better to coordinate their eyewear and their entire outfit. This is what appealed to Olivia Munoz, who was scrutinizing her image from head to toe recently while trying on the wares. “I’m beginning to love sunglasses as much as I love shoes and bags and jewelry,” said Ms. Munoz, 21, a student at the University of Mississippi. She added somewhat sheepishly, as if to justify her splurge, “It’s going to be my birthday.”

Ms. Munoz typifies the shopper who has diverted her spending from Stella McCartney tunics and Balenciaga totes into high-priced designer sunglasses. Ilori, a chain that also has stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Honolulu, seems to have positioned itself perfectly in a season when statement sunglasses are one luxury that consumers are still willing to splurge on.

Prices for designer sunglasses have jumped to $350 or more in recent months, from an average of $250, retailers say, and the price spike has not turned off shoppers. “The youth of America has discovered sunglasses to be the aspirational and prestige item of the moment,” said Marshal Cohen, a senior analyst with the NPD Group, a market research firm. He predicts, “Sunglasses will replace the handbag as the image item” among teenage girls and young women.

While sales of handbags declined 14 percent in the last year, according to NPD, total sales in the $3 billion eyewear industry rose by 10 percent, even while the number of individual glasses sold has slackened — an indication there has been significant growth at the upper end of the market, Mr. Cohen said.

Why are designer sunglasses bucking the downturn of other luxury goods? Retailers and other fashion authorities cite It-bag fatigue (women have bought more bags in recent years than they can store in their closets), whereas sunglasses are still a novel way to acquire the cachet of a designer brand.

Sunglasses at the top rung of the price ladder are in step with trends, changing shapes and colors seasonally to reflect the whims of buyers. This summer, a heightened enthusiasm for aviator and wraparound frames and vintage Jackie O styles is contributing to their status as the luxury accent of the hour.

Designers are playing into shoppers’ desire to be recognized, at least by those in the know, by downplaying big logos and incorporating more subtle signals of provenance. Bottega Veneta offers frames with woven leather insets that are recognizable to connoisseurs of the house’s hand-woven leather goods. Prada butterfly frames echo the motifs of the brand’s recent runway collections. Chrome Hearts frames are embellished with sterling bolo designs and leather trim reflective of the company’s rough-rider image.

Such stealth-wealth signifiers appeal to Sylvia Toporkiewicz, a visitor from Poland, who was browsing late last month at the Sunglass Hut on Spring Street in SoHo. She weighed the hip factor of a pair of crystal-encrusted Versace frames against some equally costly but understated Ray-Ban glasses, choosing the Ray-Bans, because, she explained, “I don’t want to look Paris Hilton.”

She is among those turning their backs on ostentatious styling, and especially on the owlishly super-size frames popularized a few years back by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, in favor of scaled-down rectangles in bi-colored plastic, imitation tortoise shell, wood, titanium or even gold.

Over all, “people are leaning towards the classics in rich materials,” said Richard Talmadge, the chief operating officer for Safilo, which makes Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo and Valentino eyewear. The company’s best sellers include Marc Jacobs aviators and television-screen-shaped plastic frames worthy of Anouk Aimée in “La Dolce Vita.”

The most coveted styles have a candidly patrician cast. “They look back to the 1970s,” said Jayne Mountford, a trend consultant in Los Angeles. “They represent the iconic look of the jet setter.”

In contrast to the ’70s originals, which made people seem aloof or anonymous, contemporary variations often feature gradient lenses that are tinted on top and clear below — a more approachable look.

“Sunglasses aren’t armor anymore — they’re not about saying don’t touch me,” said Ed Burstell, the vice president for cosmetics and accessories for Bergdorf Goodman in New York. Among the more rarefied labels at Bergdorf are Bulgari, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Barton Perreira, a six-month-old brand coveted by aficionados.

In the fall, the store plans to expand its already large sunglasses boutiques by 25 percent. Bergdorf prices range from about $300 to $750 for a high-end tortoise-rim version of Ray-Ban’s Wayfarers, or $1,395 for frames from the brand Gold & Wood, which have diamond-studded temples.

Despite the price, Mr. Burstell described luxury sunglasses as relatively accessible to shoppers used to paying in the thousands for bags or dresses, a “fashion purchase that doesn’t break the bank.”

The demand for luxury sunglasses has spurred designers to quickly affix their logos to the latest styles, including some designers who had not previously had eyewear lines. The roster includes established giants like Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani, and cutting-edge brands like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and Thakoon, some offering wares for both women and men.

“Men have embraced sunglasses with a passion, and may even be driving sales,” said James J. Spina, the editor in chief of 20/20, an eyewear monthly. “Unlike men’s previous pet object, the watch, which half the time is covered by a sleeve, sunglasses are always visible, a kind of jewelry for the face. They give men an identity.”

Browsing at Ilori last month, Matthew Knoll, the owner of a catering company in New York, seemed inclined to that view. He was prepared to spend $400 or more for a distinctive look, he said, adding, “I don’t want to see my sunglasses on someone else’s face.”

Ms. Toporkiewicz continued to scour the Sunglass Hut for frames she hoped would compliment her steeply-angled cheekbones. She would be happy, she said, to spend $300 for a pair that gave her an old-fashioned Garbo-esque allure. “But if they are really nice,” she added, “I would pay any price.”