Posts Tagged ‘sunglasses’

Wiley X Introduces “Blink” to its Climate Control Safety Series

September 2nd, 2010

Wiley X is proud to introduce Blink, the newest addition to its Climate Control Safety Series. The Wiley X Blink combines the company’s premier military eyewear technology with striking design to deliver a pair of glasses worthy of the workers they protect. Comfortable safety, durability and streamlined style – look out, if you don’t grab a pair fast you might just miss the Wiley X Blink.

As part of the Climate Control series, the Blink’s streamline design keeps the glasses secure and form-fitting, enabling them to withstand virtually any inside or outside conditions. It comes with Wiley X’s patented, removable soft foam Facial Cavity Seal which works to block wind, dust, debris and peripheral light perfect for indoor shop work or outdoor tasks. Plus, the company’s Top Down Ventilation System controls airflow into the glasses helping to provide comfort while preventing fogging. Workers stay better focused keeping unwanted elements out all while maintaining clear and sharp vision.

Safety was priority one when designing the Blink model. Built with some of the world’s strongest materials, the Wiley X Blink is appropriate for all work environments from manufacturing to mining, and paper processing to petroleum.

Wiley X wears the badge of being the toughest-built glasses around. In fact, it’s is the only premium sunglass manufacturer who certifies all of its glasses to exceed ANSI Z87.1-2003 high velocity and high mass impact safety standards. Simply put, these glasses aren’t just good-looking they also deliver superb OSHA-grade occupational eye protection.

Constructed of shatterproof Selenite Polycarbonate, the lenses are finished with a scratch-resistant T-Shell Hardcoat making them even more resistant to flying debris and small nicks. The frame is made from Triloid Nylon a virtually unbreakable material which can withstand unimaginable impact. The frame is also flame resistant beyond ANSI Z87.1-2003 directives.

The Wiley X Blink fits most small to medium sized heads and is Rx-ready for those who require corrective lenses. The Blink also features distortion-free clear lenses housed by a streamlined matte black frame giving the wearer consummate protection all with precise color values. Available in five additional lens varieties and two additional frame colors, the Blink is also ideal for fashion and play and can be used as sport, outdoor, motorcycle or tactical sunglasses.

wileyx.com

Harley-Davidson Eyewear Presents a New Assortment of Sunglass Styles for Fall 2010

August 30th, 2010

Viva International Group expands upon the sunglass collection from Harley-Davidson Eyewear with three new prescription ready sunglasses for men this fall. The frame’s sleek metal construction combined with a slightly bowed temple design provides optimum sun protection, without compromising style.

Key elements include spring hinges and non-slip soft rubber accents, which wrap around the frame’s metal temples offering additional support and comfort. Distinctive logo treatments consist of the Harley-Davidson logo laser-etched on the side of the temples, along with the brand’s iconic Bar and Shield logo, etched on the sculpted metal tips of the frame. Featured in the collection are styles HDX 815, a full-rimmed metal frame with a double-bridge, HDX 816, a full-rimmed metal frame with a single bridge and HDX 814, a semi-rimless metal style.

The trendy new prescription ready models from Harley-Davidson Eyewear deliver 100% UV protection featuring quality 6-base polycarbonate lenses in angular sporty shapes. The trio will be available in a range of metallic finishes, including antique gunmetal, shiny brown, satin black and satin bronze.

vivagroup.com

KBL Eyewear: Impeccable Quality, Fit, Fashion, and Design

August 25th, 2010

KBLVISION was created in 2007 by Adam and Kara Mendelsohn. Its founders believe in creating quality product for unique markets. KBLVISION offers design, production, merchandising and sales to clients depending on their individual needs for eyewear. Adam and Kara have worked for many of the fashion industry leaders including Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Oliver Peoples, Thakoon, and Zac Posen to name a few. Together they are able to offer many different valuable resources and direction.

Model: Star Guitar
Inspired by vintage guitars of the 60s and 70s KBL’s 1st collection debut’s in full color on metal aviators offered in a range of shapes and sizes. The aviators feature a combination of shiny gold and silver hardware mixed with rich metallic paints. KBL delivers superior durability/quality and perfect fit through milled construction (one piece metal/no soldering) and made from the finest materials: Italian acetate and Japanese metal. PC, distortion free/shatter resistant, lenses block virtually 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Each pair is named with a handwritten signature painted inside the frame. Stop hinge technology and plastic covered screws give KBL the true markings of luxury eyewear.


Model: Mor Chances
The KBL Zyl collection features perfect fit with colors inspired from a vintage eyewear showroom Adam stumbled upon during a recent trip to Treviso, Italy. The line features a refined cleanliness of design, great attention to color and exclusivity of style due to the highly technical quality. 7 Styles are offered including 4 unisex models. Each sunglass is made with the finest Italian acetate – Mazzucchelli. The sunglasses feature CR39 100% UV protected lenses, signature KBL enamel temple tips stripes, and gunmetal shiny/matte hardware. For the ultimate visual experience in all outdoor environments, lightweight/shatter resistant NXT polarized lenses are offered on select styles.


Model: Gordon
The special edition GORDON collection is defined by its “flash” lense. It is subtle and gradient which makes it a sophisticated version of the popular trend. GORDON metal aviators are made up in high fashion light and neutral colors such as taupe and vintage white mixed with shiny gold.


Founders Bios

Kara and Adam Mendelsohn

Adam the principal designer for KBLVISION has 12 years experience in the fashion industry. He was born and raised in New York. The grandson of a professional musician, Adam took an early interest in music and the creative process. After graduating from NYU Stern School of business in 1997, Adam began his career at Barneys New York – in merchandising and buying. He later moved to wholesale, working for Ittierre (D&G, Just Cavalli, Malo). He has been in the eyewear sector for 8 years as VP of fashion at Allison eyewear (Missoni, Moschino, Dunhill, among other brands) and most recently director of key account sales for Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, and Mosley Tribes. Adam is an expert in merging fashion trends and technical know how into innovative and sellable products. Armed with a diverse resume, technical expertise and a yearning for pushing and expanding eyewear limitations, Adam ventured out to build a consulting business working with well respected ready to wear designers: Thakoon and Zac Posen in product development and design as well as prestigious eyewear brand Mykita.

Kara Director of Sales and Press for KBLVISION has 14 years experience in the fashion industry. Kara began her career at Calvin Klein Collection in wholesale sales for RTW and then collection handbags. She went on to become the director of sales for Michael Kors Collection traveling extensively within the US and Europe. After building a strong background in sales Kara began working with Marc by Marc Jacobs as the Retail Merchandise Manager building an entire division to support retail sales through out the US and Asia. After the birth of her first child she moved to Thakoon to run the sales and merchandising team working closely with the designer to build his sales and brand recognition within the US and internationally. In 2007 after the birth of her second child she began consulting under KBLVISION.

kbleyewear.com

Ralph Vaessen: Luxuriously Handcrafted Natural Horn Frames for Eyewear Fans with Discerning Tastes

August 23rd, 2010

At the beginning of 2006, Ralph Vaessen was still an unassuming Dutch government employee. Yet a radical change in life awaited him: not managing to find the frames he wanted, through a Dutch optician he got in touch with a small German-based atelier that could produce single sets of frames. But why make only one set when you could have an entire collection and share it with the rest of the world, Vaessen wondered. Soon, he designed an entire eyewear line and eventually changed jobs, creating exclusive and luxurious handmade frames in natural horn.

With a host of celebrities who have been wearing his designs – including Laetitia Casta, Anton Corbijn, David Lynch, John Malkovich, Kate Moss and Dutch actresses Carice van Houten and Gaite Jansen among others – and a list of shops such as Colette in Paris and United Arrows in Tokyo selling his designs, Vaessen is looking at his new life not through rose-tinted glasses, but through elegant hand-crafted horn frames as he prepares to launch his new eyewear collection and his first fashion line.

Model: Vincent

Dazed Digital: You don’t come from a conventional fashion background since you first worked for quite a few years for the Dutch government, did you find this career change difficult or exciting?

Ralph Vaessen: My career switch turned out to be a very refreshing and exciting journey. Looking back, I think it was the best decision I have ever made as it allowed me to do and learn many new things and meet interesting people. I must admit that I enjoy the appreciation I get for my designs even more than the commercial success. I love getting involved in all the creative aspects that my new business imply, from designing my glasses to arranging the shoots or working on the films that accompany my collections, such as the one inspired by Bryan Ferry’s music video for ‘Slave To Love’ shot in collaboration with Dutch photographer and filmmaker Hessel Waalewijn.

Model: Maud

Dazed Digital: Who has been the greatest influence on your career and what inspires your designs?

Ralph Vaessen: Bijan Azami, a local optician with a very beautiful store in The Hague. I met him while I was still working for the Dutch government and looking for new frames for myself. Azami referred me to a small atelier that could produce single sets of frames if I could make a drawing of the shape I wanted. This was the start of my career as a designer. Other figures influenced me in more recent years, among them photographer and director Anton Corbijn. One of the main inspirations for my designs is the British indie music scene and the subculture created by art students.

Model: Philip

Dazed Digital: Though your latest designs also feature water snakeskin, you mainly work with buffalo horn, what made you opt for such material?

Ralph Vaessen: I think that natural horn is a luxurious and classic material, it has such beautiful colours and an interesting fibrous structure that makes every frame simply unique, über chic and sexy. Besides, horn is also a very light material, so it’s very comfortable to wear.

Model: Bernhard

Dazed Digital: Who are your favourite accessory/fashion designers?

Ralph Vaessen: Among my classic icons there are Chanel and Dior, but I also admire Ralph Lauren. He created one of the strongest brands in fashion in a relative short time even though he didn’t have a conventional fashion background and launched a very recognisable look. I also love Camoshita and Tom Ford’s designs and always check out Vivienne Westwood’s new collections when they arrive in store. Among the Dutch designers my favourite ones are Viktor & Rolf, Alexander van Slobbe and Lucas Ossendrijver, Lavin’s menswear designer. I also like SuperTrash, a new and very successful brand launched in L.A. by Dutch entrepreneur Olcay Gulsen.

Model: Paul

Dazed Digital: You also developed a style on request of Dutch car company Spyker, what sparked such a collaboration?

Ralph Vaessen: I’m proud that we have such a great sports car brand in The Netherlands. In a way Spyker and I both work in the same kind of field since we produce a niche product, so it was a natural collaboration and an honour to design the “Spyker” style, that was recently nominated for the eyewear “Oscar”, the Silmo d’Or, in the sunglasses category. I hope that in the future I’ll be able to collaborate with other Dutch or international companies.

Model: Sarah

Dazed Digital: What are you working on at present?

Ralph Vaessen: My 2011 sunglass collection and my first fashion collection. When I design my frames I usually think about what kind of frames I would like to wear and I have decided to develop also a complementary fashion collection, conceiving it as my personal wardrobe to share with other people.

Model: Willem

Dazed Digital: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Ralph Vaessen: In the swimming pool of a large villa on the Côte d’Azur! Jokes aside, I really hope I will have created by then a larger and stronger brand for luxury goods and I hope I will still be enjoying what I’m doing as much as I do it right now.

by Anna Battista
Dazed Digital

ralphvaessen.com