Made-in-Italy in New York
Hot on the heels of the successful fashion shows in Paris and Moscow, Italian eyewear flyed to New York on March 25th, with the finest offerings from the new 2004 collections. The event, set against a spectacular backdrop in the prestigious Surrogate's Court Building, has been organized by the New York Ice office (Italian Foreign Trade Institute) and Anfao (Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers' Association).
The event is part of a series of activities developed last year as a result of the industry agreement reached by Anfao and Deputy Minister Urso to put Italian eyewear on the world map. The event is designed, among other things, to give renewed impetus to Italian eyewear in the United States, one of Italy's major outlet markets.
Showing on runways were almost 100 styles of sun, prescription and sports eyewear for men, women and children, along with unique cases, in a themed show that has been inspired by the five leitmotifs that will characterize the forthcoming seasons. Featured was a roundup of the new collections, from the latest offerings by the big names to the niche products designed by small and medium-sized businesses. This was a unique opportunity for participating companies to launch or strengthen their presence in America, by meeting press members, buyers and trade people.
The following brands hit the runways: Gianfranco Ferré, GF Ferré, John Richmond e Anna Sui (Allison), Lancetti (Arlecchino), North Sails (Celes), Céline (De Rigo), Dunlop e Tonino Lamborghini (Demenego), Christie's (Di Esse), Renato Balestra (Ioves), Chiara Boni (La Giardiniera), Byblos, Ferragamo, Moschino, Versace e Versus (Luxottica), Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Costume National, Cover Girl, Montblanc, The North Face (Marcolin), Revlon, Robe di Kappa e Sisley (Metzler), Annabella (Moa Ottica), Gattinoni, Guy Laroche e Mares (Olidei), Emporio Armani, Christian Dior, Gucci e Ralph Laurent (Safilo), Alviero Martini e Lotto (Sover), Mariella Burani e Cotton Club (Trevi Coliseum), Armata di Mare e Mila Schön (VidiVici), Blumarine, Laura Biagiotti e Iceberg (Visibilia), as well as many other popular house-brands, such as K:Actor (Area), Arlecchino (Arlecchino), Robe (Auber), Danor (Danor), Police (De Rigo), Dysma (Dysma), Arquo (Foval), Custom (Fovs), Grant (Grant), Paolo Seminara e Nouvelle Vague (Italian Style), Divinaefollie (Kàdor), Ellegi (La Giardiniera), Look e Augusto Valentini (Look Occhiali), Domina (Lumen), Arnette, Killer Loop, Persol, Ray-Ban, Revo e Vogue (Luxottica), Oceano e Myst (Mirage), Living (Martini Occhialeria), Vanni e Derapage (Nico), Viu-In (Optiwork), Piloni (Piloni), Carrera e Safilo (Safilo), Sover (Sover), Exalt Cycle (VidiVici), Exess (Mistral-Visard).
A special section was dedicated to children's frames from the following collections: People Young (Di Esse), Buz (Joint Project), Mira Kid (Logica), Lookkino (Look Occhiali), United Colors of Benetton e Robe di Kappa (Metzler), Rossini Hi Flex Kids (Optigen), Piloni (Piloni), Safilo (Safilo), Lilliput (Trenti).
This was followed by a small show of cases by Fedon and Cafiero, a must-have accessory to complete the wearer's look.
Images of the eyewear on show are on line in our Special Made in Italy section. This is just an overview of the immense world of Italian eyewear. For a complete look at the collections and all the latest products, the appointment is with Mido, the leading international trade show that will take place in Milan from 7 to 9 May.
