Gamberini attributes the ongoing success of Marco lin's metal framed collections to a combination of comfort and appearance, noting that unlike plastic frames, the versatility of nose pads allows the frames to fit varying face shapes, contours and sizes. And for those with heavy Rx needs, lightweight metal offers a thinness that appeals to wearers.

"Some of the brands actually are very strong due to metaland a combination of metal and acetate," said Gamberini, adding that the pairing offers a rich and elegant fin ish, frequently appearing in the Tom Ford and Balenciaga collections.

The anticipated GUESS Fall2014 collection will feature five new metal frame styles. "For the men's assortment we see the combina­tion of metal fronts with plastic temples, including the temples of GU 1835 and GU 1836, which have stylish fronts with a flat metal construction and a matte shiny effect on the temples," Gamberini explains. "For the women's GUESS assortment, GU 2469 and GU 2470

have transfer paper animal print detailing on the front and temples, which adds something special to the flat metal construction."

Paul Storace, President of Alternative Eyewear Inc/Plan "B" Eye1Near says his company keeps their metal frames relevant by focusing on style and creativity.

"There is so much you can do with metal frames and we like to constantly push the boundaries," said Storace. "We add epoxies, embellishments, textures, patterns, interesting shapes, and so on to keep metal eyewear interesting and engaging."

While metal frames are featured in each of his collections, several product lines stand out for Fall 201Ll.

"We're very excited about our newest Glacee, Headlines and IceCream models," Storace said. "Our IceCream 8981, Glacee 6713

and Headlines 265 are all great new metal frames that are going to be perfect for the end of summer leading into fall."

He is equally proud of the new men's styles in the Headlines Collection and upcoming brand new collection, Staag Spectacles, featuring high quality and well­designed metal eyewear.

Storace believes his customers appreciate enduring appeal of the metal frame eyewear option. "Our metal frames are high quality, meaning people get the look they want and they last under regular wear and tear," Storace said.

At Match Eyewear, Liz Tontodonati understands the value of offering consumers brands that embody comfort, design and quality crafts­manship at a cost that is affordable to the consumer.

"You will always find metal frames in our best selling collections such

Optica l Pr isrn I September 2014 17

I OPTIC PLASTIC DESIGN & MANUFACTURER ES/ 979

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151 Amber St., Unit #3, Markham, ON L3R 3B3

Tel: (905) 940-0939 Fax: (905) 940-7927

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as Adrienne Vittadini, AV Studioand Danny Gokey," said Tontodonati.

She says the uniqueness of these individual brands allows them to stay on trend and stay t rue to the craftsmanship consumers expect.

"Every single brand has its own nuances, so it is easy for us to keep things relevant and timeless," Tontodonati said. "For instance, the signature Adrienne Vittadini chevron pattern can be found on the temples of new AV Studio So, and adds a subtle bit of flair to a classic style.

The Adrienne Vi ttadini A V 1148 features a floral de-bossed temple pattern with stone embellish­ment. We find that when adding embellishments such as stones, keeping it to a minimum gives it longevity."

The Danny Gokey DG3o features a fiat, full rim with an acetate inlay on the temple.

Beverly Suliteanu, Vice-President of Product Development for West­Groupe says metal is a prominent element of her eyewear design.

"It is such a versatile material and I feel you can include many more design elements with metal than vvith plastic including more textural nuances, colour combi­nations and design detail," she explains. "I incorporate metal models in all of the WestGroupe collections including Kliik, Fysh, Evatik, Superfiex, Bertelli and Izumi ."

Suliteanu takes her inspiration from the world offashion, staying current with evolving trends in clothes, be it colours, patterns or

textures and transferring them to eyewear.

"For the fall season, we are us­ing different techniques to add some texture and depth to our metal designs," she said.

The Kliik K520 is a sexy, cat­eye retro inspired model with a digital animal print overlay on the front and temple that is available in both neutral tones of brown and grey as well as trendy tones of turquoise and purple.

Bringing in the small checked pattems found on the fashion runways, Fysk F3523 uses 3D digital printing on the brow bar and temple to create a three dimensional pattern effect. The patterned brow bar is off­set by a warm tone front finish giving this frame a dramatic , but extremely wearable look.

Using strong colour combina­tions and intricate design, the Izumi OS9190 makes a statement in women's eyewear, combining the key trend of a strong brow bar and laser cut­outs in one frame. The laser cut circular cutouts gives lightness to the framewhile the solid col­our brow bar anchors the frame.

Tried and true, metal frames are a classic option in comfort and style, but rest assured, these aren't your professor's old spectacles. With the elements of design, colour and embellish­ments to be had, metal frames are here to stay, and they've never looked better.

Chic, Fashionable, Trendsetting. WestGmupe is a leader when it comes to eyewem-jashion and design. Their pieces have donned the faces of countless celebrities and their collections have captured the eye offashionistas m·ound the globe. Vice president ofpmduct development Beverly Suliteanu shares the inspirations that keeps WestGroupe among the top eyewear companies in the world.

By Sarah McGoldrick

What is WestGroupe passionate about?

I would have to say that WestGroupe's passion comes from the long term relationship that we have forged with our team members and our customers. For the past 53 years, we have strived to be a leader in the eyewear industry by developing, creating and supporting innovative products and services that allow our customers to succeed. Our aim in developing new products, programs and systems has always been to help our custom­ers become stronger, more competitive and more efficient.

How does WestGroupe develop a new piece of eyewear?

The development process is an ongoing, continuous process. We are constantly researching the seasonal trends in fashion and design as well as the evolutionary

20 Opt1cal Prism I September 2014

trends that are happening in our own industry. We work closely with our factories in developing new colours and colour applica­t ion techniques in order to make our designs stand out in this ever crowded marketplace. Once our season concepts are finalized, the proto typing stage is probably the longest part of the process as we work on a prototype until the fit and look is perfect. This may take four or five prototype revisions. Once the prototype is finalized we then work on colours and finishes until the model is finalized.

How would WestGroupe define their client?

Due to the diversity of our brand portfolio, we can cater to a wide cross-section of clients. Our client base currently ranges from owner operated optical stores and optometric practices to national chains

and buying groups. As our brand portfolio is quite deep, we cover most segments in the marketplace. We have the Superfiex and Superfiex kids brands for the value segment and Bertelli, Izumi, Perry Ellis, J ill Stuart, and Elizabeth Arden fo r the mid market dispensaries. Kliik, Fysh, Evatik and Stepper cover the affordable luxury segments that many optical dispensaries are now focusing on and SPY targets that young, urban hipster. The addition of the Hello Kitty and New Balance kids collection has really rounded out our product. offering for children.

What is new for fall 2014?

Fall is always an exciting time in our indus­try as everyone gears up for the second half of the year. We are very excited for the 20111

Back-to-School season with the introduction of Hello KitLy and New Balance Boys.

The initial reaction has been so fantastic for both collections that we advanced our Hello Kitty release schedule to include 6 new models that were originally slated to launch in early 2015 .

How is WestGroupe leading the way in the industry?

WestGroupe continues to focus on creating eyewear that resonates with our Canadian consumers. Although we are selling many of our brands in the global marketplace, our focus is and will always be to design for the Canadian consumer. Although fashion is a huge part of the DNA of om brands, our collections are optical brands and we have the freedom to design frames that incorporate the trends in the optical industry as well as the fashion industry. This is a luxury not a lot of brands have.

Optical Prism I September 2014 21

DANISI-1 DI:.:SIGN

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cos I:.:XCLUSIVI:.: DISTR IBUTION DISTR IBUTION I:.:XCLUSIVI:.:

8360 Mayranc! . Montreal Quebec, Canada 1-l4P 2C9 //Tel. 1 800-363-2341

continued from page 21

WHAT IS

YOUR FAVOURITE

PIECE?

Asking me to choose my favourite piece is like asking a mom to choose herjavou1·ite child!!

Rather than choosing my favourite I will highlight a few exciting pieces from the collection.

Fysh F3526: 1'3526 is an acetate ladies model with sexy, upswept cat eye shape. The soft translucent acetate is contrasted with a marbled­temples and brow har. The attention to the brow bar is a key trend in eyewear for fall 201'1·

EvatikE9103 : E9103 is a men's mod­ern combination frame. The Tr-90 front combined with stainless steel temples makes this frame so light it doesn't even feel like you are wearing a frame. The added benefit of nose pads and a screw less spring hinge is sm e to resonate with consumers.

Izumi OS-9190: Izumi 9190 is a full rim stainless steel frame wi th vibrant colouring and plenty of details. From the contrasting colour brow bar to the laser punched clots that decorate Lhe temple and front this flattering rectangular cat-eye is definitely eye c::ltching.

/1

13

32 Opt1cal Prism I September 20 14

1. WestGroupe, Izumi OS-9188

2. Concept Eyewear Inc., Women's Retmvelo127R (NO-BLA)

3. Modern Optical, Modz Kids Collection

4. Shilling, ! -Green

5· Ma1·colin USA/VIVA, Roberto Cavalli rco822

Optica l Pnsm I September 2014 33