Original shapes, sophisticated detailing, precious materials: the new collection of Giorgio Armani eyewear shows a disciplined elegance, maintaining the erfect equilibrium between innovation and classic good taste.

The choice of sunglasses for women bewitches in a delightfully Sixties way, see for instance the acetate frame GA 600/s. Inserts in braided metal, the latest stylistic attribute, adorn the profiles and stand out against the sophisticated colour palette of the acetate: black, havana, white-olive. Also in tune with contemporary preferences the collection of sunglasses for men reveals a positive personality through the timeless aviator look, as shown by model GA 623/s, which is reinterpreted with a contemporary slant and with exceptional design features.

 The collection of prescription eyewear focuses on a series of aesthetically pleasing and refined silhouettes. Bringing that indispensable extra touch of feminine allure, model GA 620, is produced in a special edition adorned with an insert in black obsidian. On the other hand the choices for men are slanted towards enthusiasts of high-tech. Model GA 610 emphasises purity of form and total comfort, guaranteed by the GT 28 flexi hinge, patented exclusively for the Giorgio Armani line: maximum flexibility and ultra slim dimensions create an impeccable design.

A full fashion look and a Sixties appeal distinguish these feminine sunglasses in polished acetate. The square shape with its cleverly sculpted dimensions is devastatingly attractive with its soft and generous design. The GIORGIO ARMANI logo figures discreetly at the temple end of the arm, engraved on a metal insert with a braided effect in a glossy light gold colour. The chromatic options explore esoteric shades of black with dark grey lens, dark havana with brown lens, havana with smoky brown lens, smoky white-olive with smoky brown-grey lens.

Where vintage style meets casual chic, these sunglasses for men possess an strong personality delivered by the imposing aviator shape of the injection moulded front section, lit up by the bridge designed as a thin strand of metal. Ultra slim dimensions for the metal arms, where the GIORGIO ARMANI logo appears in an engraved version. The colour palette unfolds in shades of glossy palladium/black with dark grey lens, glossy palladium/dark havana with grey-green lens, dark antique ruthenium/ blue with blue lens, glossy light gold/light havana with dark brown lens.

Focused on aficionados of the world of high tech and innovative design, this steel prescription frame for men features a rectangular lens supported below by a nylon thread. The arms are extra comfortable with their GT 28 flexi hinge, patented exclusively for the Giorgio Armani line: the ultra slim single piece construction of the arms results in maximum flexibility and slimness, resulting in a perfect fit and impeccable design. The colour choices for this model, branded with the GIORGIO ARMANI script logo at the temple end of the arm, favour classic tones of black with streaky grey terminal, matt brown with wine red terminal, glossy palladium with grey terminal and antique gold with havana brown /black terminal.

Unusual and particularly sophisticated, this acetate frame for women comes in a special edition for the next season, exerting an irresistible allure with its polished and dominating profile. The lenses feature a full rectangular shape while the arms are adorned at the temple end with a special insert in black obsidian. Branded with the GIORGIO ARMANI logo photo-incised on the terminals, this model is available exclusively in black.

GIORGIO ARMANI S.P.A.
PRESS OFFICE
TEL. +39 02 83106021, FAX. +39 02 83106041
WWW.ARMANIPRESS.IT
SAFILO GROUP
PRESS OFFICE
TEL. +39 049 6985459 FAX. +39 049 6987075
WWW.SAFILO.COM

YSL 6220 / s

Refinement is the essence of the new Yves Saint Laurent Eyewear collection. Classic and retro shapes are reinterpreted to give the collection a modern appeal with an unmistakable French chic.

In addition to the already popular Muse and Macadam lines, this season’s women’s collection features the new Ycone line.

With a name inspired by a stylised “Y” detail that refers to the iconic Cassandra logo, this new line is available in both sun and optical ranges.

Art Deco references nicely match the rectangular acetate faces and assertive colour selection, from panther and cognac to dark olive and black. The result is bold, striking.

Timeless elegance is central to the men’s range. Creating a link between the sunglass and optical collections, the new Gallery temple, highlighted by metallic bars, has a sleek effect.

 In metal or steel, black or gold, the aviator sunglasses evoke a style that perfectly suits the contemporary man. Optical frames are balanced between classic designs and an updated 50’s aesthetic.

 The Yves Saint Laurent collection of sunglasses and optical frames is produced and distributed by the Safilo Group.

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With innovative creativity and vintage overtones, the new eyewear collection by Diesel turns heads with its unmistakable style and highly distinctive design.

The women's injection-moulded sunglasses with their oversized rectangular frames and contemporary look feature a 3-D “Diesel” logo on slender metal temples, which engage directly with the sides of the lenses.

With a glam rock look inspired by the Seventies, the acetate models feature retro designs that are emphasised by a contrasting metal trim, and contrasted with vibrant colourways.

Striking an urban look, the new mask sunglasses for men feature drop-shaped lenses that reveal a glimpse of a metal tab in openwork. This is clearly visible against such colours as fluorescent yellow, orange and green, as well as palladium, gold and dark ruthenium.

The men's injection-moulded sunglasses exude a bold mood, conveyed through an enveloping design emphasised by a metal tab in shades of palladium, dark or light gold or ruthenium, engraved with the “D” logo.

Inspired by “street-couture”, the new collection of optical frames proposes unisex metal and acetate models with a rectangular design. They are all stamped on the left temple with Diesel’s iconic, “Mohican Only the Brave” logo, which stands out against striking colourways such as black/beige, purple/bordeaux, cyclamen/havana pink, purple/havana green and lilac/purple havana.

Intriguing and sexy, the women's acetate frames feature the “D” logo engraved on the temples. The styles surprise with their sophisticated play on the transparency in shades of crystal/white, opaline red, opaline cyclamen, crystal/blue, crystal/green and crystal/black.

The inimitable style of Diesel eyewear springs from the partnership between the Safilo design department and the Diesel Creative Team, under the guide of Creative Director Wilbert Das. The new collections will be available in Diesel Stores, major department stores and leading opticians worldwide from April 2008.

For further information please contact:

Diesel HQ Press Office +39 (0)2 42409 555 www.diesel.com

Safilo International Press Office +39 049 6985379 www.safilo.com

As a favored venue for business meetings, a trade show is also a focal point for exchanges of all kinds. Among the many optical trade shows throughout the world, SILMO has become a major commercial tool for the eyewear industry and is now seen as the show of reference in the industry. Silmo’s unique style and originality in the presentation of exhibits and in the exceptional set-up of its trend forums has made Silmo an attraction in itself, a welcoming place where industry leaders can meet and do business in a friendly albeit elegant environment.

SILMO, The World Optics Show, is known to exhibitors and attendees alike as a comfortable place, offering many features aimed at making participants happy and relaxed  with:

·        A well-marked positioning of exhibits with the various halls clearly marked (Technop’Hall,  Village,  Central,  Pacific’ Hall),

·        Its special Trend and Spectacular Product Forums (L’Avenue, Univers Kids, Sports Attitude, Juste pour voir (Low Vision Forum…),

·        Its well-deserved reputation for celebrating, with the Silmo d’Or evening reception, a unique moment for the industry to celebrate talents and share a relaxed moment,

·        A special attention to details that make participants feel welcome and make business easier, with a vast array of services for all, exhibitors as well as attendees.

SILMO takes place at the Paris-Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center and is thus able to take advantage of « Viparis, Venues in Paris », a newly formed group, representing all the exhibition and convention centers in Paris. SILMO offers an array of exclusive services, aiming at maximizing the comfort level and the satisfaction of all participants before, during and after the show, including:

·        Logistical support and travel assistance throughout a network of 60 offices around the world.  

·        Travel packages, airfare and hotel accommodation at special rates tailored for Silmo participants, in particular negotiated rates with the French Railways Company SNCF and with the Sky Team Alliance of Airlines (Air France, Delta, Alitalia, Aeroflot, China Southern, Continental Airlines, …),

·        Information available at major airports/train stations and bus shuttles  from major Paris hubs (CDG Airport, Orly Airport, Gare du Nord train station…),

·        Personalized assistance through « Silmo Help », a new service created to help visitors to find taxis or guide them toward the metro when they leave the show.

This first-class program of premium services is fully supported by a newly-revamped internet site, offering a new design, a user-friendly site navigation and well-written and well adorned texts. The new Silmo site is constantly updated throughout the year with news from the industry. It has become a modern agora for optical/eyewear professionals. It is also a forum where industry professionals can prepare their visit and where exhibitors and visitors alike can organize meetings with other SILMO participants on a permanent basis, all year round before the event itself in Paris.   

In recognition of her leadership in establishing innovative marketing communications and education initiatives for Transitions Optical, Bette Zaret, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, has been selected by VISION MONDAY as a top innovator in the optical industry.

Each year VISION MONDAY, a leading optical trade publication, honors the accomplishments of women professionals across the vision care field as part of its "Most Influential Women" report. VISION MONDAY defines innovators as “women who have initiated new product developments or special programs in the arena of marketing, technology or retail, who have spearheaded innovative business ideas or enterprises that are achieving marked success and reinventing old ideas.” Bette Zaret certainly matches this description. As Chair of the Transitions Optical Global Marketing Council, Bette’s forward-thinking perspective and endless creativity have been instrumental in building global recognition of both the brand and the importance of healthy sight.

 “Bette Zaret is a true visionary dedicated to elevating the importance of healthy sight through education, eyewear and eye care for people around the world. Her passion has also sparked a revolution within Transitions Optical that is spreading throughout the industry,” says Transitions Optical President, Brett Craig.

Zaret has 30 years of international marketing experience with such companies as Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb and Disney. Since joining Transitions Optical in 2001, she has established the Transitions Partners in Education Program, including the creation of the Transitions Healthy Sight Counseling program. This global initiative aims to educate eye care professionals and patients on potential threats impacting eye health and vision performance, fund clinical research in the area of quality of vision at major academic ophthalmology and optometric institutions; develop a wide range of continuing education tools for eye care professionals; support educational and scientific meetings in the U.S.A. and abroad; and spearhead relations with the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and American Optometric Association (AOA).

Zaret has also been very instrumental in the launch of the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund, Transitions Optical’s global corporate giving initiative, has played a major role in Transitions Championship for Healthy Sight PGA Tour sponsorship, is responsible for all strategic marketing functions and for establishing and expanding the Transitions brand equity worldwide.

“Work hard, find balance, be honest and have integrity. I had to fight gender wars when I was moving up; but today, I am seeing a different world, there’s a real transformation and this industry is poised to really change people’s lives by helping them understand healthy sight,” says Bette.
 

In the children collection by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada we can find the “Agathitas”, a light, flexible and

resistant model of Italian make and specially suitable for babies between 0 and 3 years old.

This season, Optim is launching the new “Agathitas Strengthened”, much more resistant than the

previous ones thanks to the reinforced points on the temples, what will prevent breaks from the most

mischief children.

On the tips we can also find some new subjection points that lead the acetate stay joined to the silicone

cover. With this new system, it’s almost impossible that the acetate and the silicone will be detached.

This new “Agathitas” enclose a silicone cord to give a better subjection and safety for most restless

children.

The “Agathitas” model it’s manufactured and distributed by Optim and can be found in the best

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

“Aligning with Transitions Optical creates a powerful partnership for the PGA TOUR and golfers everywhere,” explains 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.” 

 According to Ennemoser Consulting of Innsbruck, Austria, the number of golfers worldwide is expected to grow by 35% by 2010.  This growing group of golf enthusiasts – professionals and amateurs alike – depends 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, a golfer’s vision is critical to enhancing their game and prolonging their 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.

 “This partnership gives Transitions Optical a global platform to educate consumers about the importance of healthy sight and quality of sight as contributors to overall health and wellness as well as optimal sports performance,” emphasizes 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% 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,” says Lawrence D. Lampert, O.D., F.C.O.V.D, 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.”  

 As the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour in North America, Transitions Optical is proud to sponsor the Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight, which tees off March 16–22, 2009 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The tournament is broadcast globally to 500 million households in 200 countries.

 About Transitions Optical, Inc.

Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International. The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.

 Transitions^® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight.  They are clear indoors and at night.  Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change.  Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today.  Transitions lenses block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well. 

 For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit Transitions.com