Whatever the look – vintage or avant-garde, sophisticated or sporty – some of the most stylish sunnies will be on show at ODMA. Here we preview the new ranges,guaranteed to turn heads this summer.
Fashion meets function across the latest sunglasses being debuted this year at ODMA. Whether the focus is on sophisticated frames, sports sunnies or kids’ eyewear, there is an emphasis on the quality of the lens, fit and, of course, style.
While elegant geometric frames in simple black or stark white on black are still prominent, there’s also a distinct move back to colours and shapes of the 80s. Feminine pink, turquoise blue and lilac evoke
the exotic tones of the South Pacific in the latest Dior collection. The Bernhard Willhelm collection by Mykita features more brazen frames… brilliant red with matching mirrored lenses or copper with mint green mirrored lenses are reminiscent of the days of disco.
Newcomer Hawk Union has introduced an intoxicating variety of styles – from the sophisticated Thierry Lasry women’s frames in striking translucent acetate complemented by gold arms, to the 70s styled men’s in solid colours… as well as everything in between. The company also represents the limited edition handmade Andy Wolf collection, a blend of vintage and avant-garde rock guaranteed to be sought out by every high-end fashion-lover.
Just because you love sport, it doesn’t mean you lack style
Sports Eyewear
“Just because you love sport, it doesn’t mean you lack style.” That’s the message we’re hearing from distributors of sports eyewear. Sunnies thrown on for a run in the morning, to tee off on the green or for an ocean kayak, can stay on well into the afternoon over drinks in an elegant
inner city bar.
Next season’s sports sunnies are also said to be more comfortable and have better protection. The Eyewear Supernova Pro collection from adidas features soft material on the nose pads and rubber coating inside the temples to ensure a firm, yet comfortable fit during endurance training. The brand’s Retego graphic series eyewear for golfers has specially curved filters that provide a wide angle of vision. A quick release hinge system enables the temples to detach from the frame if placed under excessive strain – then simply click back into place.
Lacoste’s magnetics are another innovative frame designed for the active wearer and are magnetised at the temple. The wearer simply squeezes the temple sleeve to adjust its length to suit their head and desired fit, and then clicks the magnets at the temple ends together to hold the glasses firmly in place. Adjustable rubber nose pads and lenses with 100 per cent UVA and UVB add to the list of benefits.
MAKO Rx-ables Mondottica: Stand 246: Having developed new lens and frame technology, MAKO Eyewear will launch its RX sun program at ODMA.
Pau Hana Maui Jim: Stand 243: Maui Jim claims that its new Maui Gradient lens, set within the brand’s great looking frames, combines excellent protection with a fashion-inspired style.
Serengeti Bollé: Stand 147: The Serengeti sun collection combine cosmopolitan styling with state-of-the-art features to ensure superb comfort and fit.
Ugly Fish Piranha: Stand 266: Ugly Fish sunglasses are purpose designed and manufactured for sports wear.
Revo Oakley: Stand 145: Revo high contrast polarised lenses provide visual acuity in challenging environments when the sunlight is strong and reflections distort vision.
Lacoste: Stand 213: General Optical’s new Lacoste Sports Magnetic Sunglasses have been designed for sporting men and women, particularly those with a passion for tennis and golf.
Performance Bolle: Stand 147: Bolle says the its performance collection offers athletes distortion-free, precision optics to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Marc O’Polo European Eyewear: Stand 143: European eyewear will release a new collection of Marc O’Polo sunglasses at ODMA.
Baby Wrapz Idol Eyes: Stand 162: Idol Eyes says it will launch the world’s first convertible sunglasses for toddlers and kids up to five years old at ODMA.
Leona Edmiston Tiger Vision: Stand 117: This year at ODMA, Tiger Vision will showcase the latest in sunglasses from Sydney fashionistas Leona Edmiston and Wayne Cooper.
adidas Eyewear Supernova Pro Mimo: Stand 150: The high tech adidas’s Eyewear Supernova Pro is lightweight and aerodynamically shaped.
Mia Bella Eyewear Prestige Optics: Stand G10/273A: Italian heritage, elegance and class are all aspects of Mia Bella Eyewear – showcased for the first time in Australia at ODMA.
Nina Ricci L'amy: Stand 205: Along with the classic Chloe sunglass range, L'Amy will showcase and re-launch the Nina Ricci Sunglass collection at ODMA.
Bill Bass: VMD Stand: these sunglasses are Rxable with an extensive variety of styles for both men and women.
Meanwhile, Ugly Fish has a collection of eyewear suited to every sport with polarised lens options that include multi-coated photochromic glass and polycarbonate in numerous colours and tints to suit all environments. The new Glacier style with brown or smoke photochromatic glass lenses is designed for fishing and boating. It has a stylish look for cafe appeal as well.
Kids’ Sunnies
Ugly Fish also produces a range of kids’ eyewear, as does Idol Eyes. In its 25th year in Australia, Idol Eyes will release Baby Wrapz 2 at ODMA. Claimed to be the world’s first convertible baby sunglasses, Baby Wrapz 2 feature a unique quick clip system that enables the frames to be converted from a headband to arms, without the use of tools. Soft rubber frames and temple tips make them super comfy for little ones – from pre-school to year five.
Gucci will debut a gorgeous line of sunnies for kids at ODMA. Made from a three layer acetate these Gucci glasses will become a must-have pre-teen accessory.
New Technology
Manufacturing technology has also been innovated for sunglasses on show at ODMA this year. Now in its 21st year, Eyres is launching Bioptixx, a range made from ecological plastic using a manufacturing process they claim reduces Co2 emissions by 20 per cent compared with conventional oil based plastics.
Marchon will present the latest in 3D eyewear with the M3D, a patent pending optically contoured photochromic technology designed to enhance passive 3D viewing. Marchon distributor, General Optical, says the lenses are available as fashion frames, or clip-ons and, with their ability to adjust to light, they can be worn at home, in a dark cinema, or even outside on a sunny day. In addition to having the M3D frames on display, General Optical will showcase the latest in passive technology TV and laptops at ODMA 2011. It’s a great way to help you understand where 3D is going in the immediate future.
ODMA 2011 will be held from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 August at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Here’s our collection of some of the most stylish quality sunnies you can expect to see at ODMA this year…
Bioptixx
Eyres Optics: Stand 119
Eyres has responded to the growing demand for environmentally friendly frames and lenses with Bioptixx. Created from easily renewable, non-genetically modified castor plants and seeds, Eyres claims the frames and lenses are every bit as tough and long-lasting as you would expect from its products.
ODMA Excellence Award nominee: Green Environmental Category.
Gucci
Safilo: Stand 231
This year, Gucci will debut a gorgeous line of sunglasses for kids at ODMA. Designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, these sunglasses are set to become a must-have accessory for boys and girls from the age of seven. Made from exclusive three-layer acetate and subtly decorated inside the ends of the temples with a teddy bear, boys will love the aviator style while girls will swoon over the round lens shape.
Rip Curl
Rip Curl: Stand 273
Rip Curl’s latest sunnies range has been developed to incorporate new Tri-Pel polarised lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision, which the company claims are easy to clean as well as water and oil repellent. A new ‘elasto-touch’ soft rubber frame finish and hydrophobic ear stems and nose pads ensure great comfort and fit for the wearer.
Marchon M3D
General Optical: Stand 213
M3D is an optically contoured photochromic lens technology designed
to enhance 3D viewing. They’re available as multi -functional M3D sunglasses, fashion frames, or as clip ons for optical frames. They can be trialled in conjunction with passive 3D televisions and screens at ODMA.
Colab
Colab: Stand G04
Now in its fifth season, Colab features limited edition handmade frames designed by leading Australian artists. The Colab concept lets the artist’s imagination run free with no constraints. And we’d told artists love it. For 2011, the designers include artist Anthony Lister who has drawn inspiration from the superheros in his artworks to create his feature frame, entitled ‘Vacation in the Sun’.
Thierry Lasry Eyewear
Hawk Union: Stand 274
Hawk Union’s new collection, Thierry Lasry, is referred to as ‘futuristic vintage’ – a mixture of vintage and avant-garde rock, modern styling with a touch of controversy. A lot of big name celebs – Nicole Ritchie, Anne Hathaway, Madonna and Alicia Keys, are huge
fans already.
Dior Les Marquises
Safilo: Stand 231
The exotic Dior Les Marquises collection will be introduced at ODMA. The collection features four models, each inspired by the South Pacific, in exotic colours and sophisticated shapes. Dioirtahuata features 80s inspired oversized pilot sunglasses in acetate with metal temples, coloured mirror lenses
and faceted metal ovals.
Moschino
Mod-Style: Stand 244
The iconic Italian fashion label Moschino is now available in Australia. The range features luxurious finishes including Swarovski crystals and pearls, silver and gold detailing, as well as a feminine metallic bow detailing. As Mod-Style is owned by the not-for-profit Brotherhood of St Laurence, all profits from the range will assist Australian families and children in need.
Face á Face
Eyes Right: Stand 265
The über trendy collection from Face á Face will be on display in its entirety at ODMA. It is both elegant and modern in design, and features refined details and superb acetate combinations.
