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.”

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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

Picking The Wrong Pair Of Sunglasses Can Do More Harm Than Good

The summer sun can make for a lot of fun, but meteorologists and eye doctors agree - choosing the wrong pair of sunglasses can be hazardous to your health.

The sun can represent warmth, light and a chance for a tan, but it's no secret the bright star also poses potential dangers.

"Ultra-violet rays, people usually associate with getting a sunburn and skin cancer, but they can also damage your eyes, damage your cornea so that's the primary threat,"

That's where sunglasses come in. But if you pick the wrong pair, they can do more harm than good.


"Your pupils dilate to let in more light, and it's the same thing when you wear sunglasses. Your pupils dilate, they get bigger to let in more light, and if you don't have UV protection, ultra-violet protection on your sunglasses, you'll actually let more dangerous light into your eyes," Hall said.

Optometrists say smaller-sized sunglasses are not as protective against the sun’s rays because beams can still leak in through the top and bottom.

David Huntzberry, the owner and an optician at Longmeadow Eyecare said, "It can be uncomfortable as well as a little bit dangerous because you are allowing light in from the sides. It's not so much direct light but indirect light."

Huntzberry says polarized sunglasses are also easier on the eyes.

He added, "Glare being bright, unwanted, harsh, brilliant, reflective light. With that filter in the lens, it filters out reflective light and just allows more direct light in."

Meteorologist Ian Hall says UVA rays are commonly associated with wrinkles and aging, while UVB rays are known to cause sunburn and skin cancer.

Sunglasses warning from opticians

Opticians have warned that some fashion sunglasses provide no protection against the harmful effects of the sunlight.

The number of people suffering from sun-related damage to their eyes is increasing, according to the Association of Optometrists (AOI).

The AOI has stressed that the sun can cause irreversible, long-term damage to the eye and the highest risk groups, children and the elderly, wear little or no protective eyewear in the sun.

It also says many fashion sunglasses with fashion tints offer no protection against sunlight, and proper sunglasses delay ageing of the eyes by 20% and decrease the risk of getting cataracts by 40%.

The AOI is warning people about the importance of protecting their eyes in the sun.

"Following evidence of increasing numbers of people presenting with sun-related damage to their eyes, the AOI advises that wearing proper sunglasses helps to prevent such damage and to protect the eyes."

Optometrist Lynda McGivney Nolan said the human eye is as sensitive to the sun as skin is, yet, when Irish people are out in the sun, many neglect to pay attention to the quality of sunglasses they are wearing.

"Just as the sun causes serious damage to the skin, so can the harmful rays from sunlight cause irreversible, long-term damage to the eye, including skin cancer on the lids, corneal burns, damage to the eye tissue, cataracts and macular degeneration."

The AOI recommends that good sunglasses offering the maximum protection should:

*Eliminate UV, A,B and C radiation, and all radiation up to 400nm.

*Protect the eye from blue light which does the most damage to the back of the eye.

*Allow normal colour perception and optimise clarity of vision.

*Have wide-sided or wraparound styling to protect the eye from sunlight from the side.

*Use the correct degree of protection appropriate to the light conditions and the activity being performed.

The AOI says many fashion sunglasses with fashion tints such as blue or pink offer poor vision quality and no protection against sunlight.

Ms McGivney Nolan said your local optometrist (optician) is best placed to advise you on the best type of protective sunglasses for your needs.

Summer sunglasses: Bye, bye bling; opt for sophisticated and refined

When it comes to this year's hot sunglasses, leave the bling behind.

The coolest look for the summer of 2008 is understated and refined, says Michael Hansen, vice-president and general manager of the upscale retail chain Ilori. "There's less overt embellishment and logos, and more integrated details."

Shying away from glitz, though, doesn't mean sunglasses can't make a bold fashion statement.

"Embellishments have evolved from stones and Swarovski crystals to enamel work, laser cutouts and new foil printing techniques - the intermixing of materials in a translucent zile (plastic) that allows the metal to show through," Hansen says.

Colours also are strong. True, Hansen says, the wise first purchase probably is a black or tortoise-shell frame because it could be worn with anything, but as people begin to build a sunglasses wardrobe as they would handbags or shoes, you're seeing more navy, purple and red.

Coloured lenses are another stylish option, especially gradient ones in blues, greys and pink, Hansen reports. Gradient lenses are good for the evening hours because they block the glare while allowing light through, he adds.