Italian eyewear catwalk in New York
Italian eyewear returns to the most prestigious international catwalks and decides to preview the new 2005 collections in some of Made in Italy's most strategic markets.
The events scheduled for 2005 are part of a program backed by Anfao (the Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers' Association), in response to a significant agreement with the Italian Ministry for Production Activities, and thanks to the contribution made by Ice (the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade).
The inaugural fashion show of 2005 was launched in Shanghai on February 25, in one of the most elegant venues the city has to offer, 'Bund 18'. The second appointment was in Moscow on 9 March, staged at the 'Pushkin Literary Museum' (Ulitsa Prechistenka), and attended by Adolfo Urso, Italy's Deputy Minister for Production Activities, who has always been particularly sensitive to the various industry issues and keen to promote Made-in-Italy products.
The third fashion show is in New York, for the second consecutive year, today at 5:30 p.m. at 'Gotham Hall' (1356 Broadway), the renowned New York fashion and trendsetting stage. The most alluring examples of the 2005 Italian eyewear collections will be presented.
Included are 108 eyewear styles for corrective spectacles, sunwear and sports eyewear for men, women and children. In keeping with a theme based on the five trends that will distinguish fashion in the forthcoming seasons, the new eyewear styles will share the limelight with original eyeglass cases. It all adds up to a unique opportunity for the 42 participating firms to launch or expand their presence in the US, and meet with the press, buyers, and industry professionals in a setting where they can show off the highlights of their new collections—from the leading brands to the niche offerings by medium and small-sized manufacturers.
Taking the runway will be signature lines like Gianfranco Ferré, Missoni, John Richmond and Anna Sui (Allison), Lancetti (Arlecchino), North Sails (Celes), Givenchy, Céline, Etro, Mini and Fila (De Rigo), Dunlop, Think Pink and Tonino Lamborghini (Demenego), Christie's (Di Esse), Renato Balestra and Gattinoni (Ioves), Chiara Boni (La Giardiniera), Augusto Valentini (Look Occhiali), Ferragamo, Versace and Versus (Luxottica), Roberto Cavalli, Costume National, Montblanc, Timberland, Miss Sixty, Replay, Kenneth Cole and The North Face (Marcolin), Sisley, United Colors of Benetton and Revlon (Metzler), Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Gucci, Max Mara, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Boucheron, Alexander McQueen and Valentino (Safilo), Pal Zileri (Sichel & Sichel), Alviero Martini (Sover), Enrico Coveri (Vecellio), Mila Schön (VidiVici), Blumarine, Laura Biagiotti, Iceberg and Alessandro Dell'Acqua (Visibilia), along with many equally-famous house-brands such as Arlecchino (Arlecchino), K:Actor and Genesis (Area), Robe (Auber), Baruffaldi (Baruffaldi), Diva (Brillarte), Sting and Police (De Rigo Vision), People (Di Esse), Microlite (Dysma), Grant (Grant), Paolo Seminara and Nouvelle Vague (Italian Style), Click 12 (Joint Project), Kàdor and Divinaefollie (Kàdor), Phoenix (La Fenice), Lastes (Lastes), Look and Look@me (Look Occhiali), Arnette, Persol, Ray-Ban and Vogue (Luxottica), Maryla Matinée (Maryla Matinée), Living the Nature (Martini Occhialeria), Mirage (Mirage), Nannini (Nannini), Vanni (Nico), Made in Paradise (Optital), Viu-in (Optiwork), Carrera (Safilo), Roberto Cabras (Trenti), Cotton Club (Trevi Coliseum), and Exalt Cycle (VidiVici).
Children's wear takes center stage, with a special section devoted to kids, who will model selections from Police (De Rigo Vision), People Young (Di Esse), Mira Kid (Logica), Robe di Kappa (Metzler), Rossini Kids (Optigen) and Lilliput (Trenti). A separate space is set aside for spectacle cases, an accessory that is essential to complete the look of anyone wearing a pair of eyeglasses, featuring the creations of Fedon and Gatto.
A must-see event to experience the vibrancy and tradition of a product that has become a global trendsetting icon, but one that is also, above all, an expression of how people personalize their daily look.
