Vegas

[hip chic]

I thought I'd start a thread devoted to Vegas...Vision Expo and shows and gambling and other stuff.

As posted in another thread (by me)....I heard only good things from my vendors...all of them mentioned how incredibly busy they were.

I was pleased with the frame releases. New trends? Color. I know that most of mainstream is in the middle of the rimless trend now however, I 've been selling a LOT of rimless for about 3 years now and I am anxious for something new. The something new is Color....in plastics and in metals....and I'm excited about it.

Regarding gambling...um...a....I was up $1.25 (yes, that's one dollar and twenty-five cents) at one point but, I lost it ALL...darn. Honestly, I am not a high roller at all...yup, no chance of me getting kicked out of any casino for counting cards or anything fancy like that....but, it was fun.

I saw the Cirque du Soliel show, Zumanity. It was mentioned in a thread a few weeks ago as being risque...an understatement. It is an 18 and over audience...the girls are all topless...the theme of the show is love (sex, really)....my friend and I really enjoyed it....there are contortionists in the show and it's MC'd by a drag queen...if any of this is making you squirm, I'd skip it as I'm barely scratching the surface here...if it's peaking your interest, don't miss it.

After the show, my friend and I took a trip to Sedona, Arizona...welcome relief after the bells and whistles and crowds and lights of Vegas. We took a Pink Jeep Tour (4 wheeling fun), did some hiking, and just had a great time. I'm thinking Sedona may need a high end optical boutique.

Well, that's it for now...I can't wait to hear what everyone else has to report.

hip chic

[Diane]

hip chic,

You are SOOOO right. Color was the thing. Still saw a lot of rimless, but the innovations were certainly there as well. I also saw a lot of combination frames. Trends running way upscale. Interesting was some translucent collections with metals etched inside showing off the design. I'm seeing some real artwork in the new designs. The designers are showing their stuff, for sure. I love art, and the new stuff is "ART". Also saw a lot more combinations with clips. Interesting stuff.

Sorry that I didn't get to go to either of the Optiboard meetings, but I was lecturing, and in meetings. I heard you all had a great time. Even though folks informed me that the temperature was hot, I never saw the outside, except for transportation to and from the airport and the hotel. Another time....

Diane

[hip chic]

I, also, missed out on the Optiboard meetings...sadly. I hope someone took pictures and posts them. I will look forward to putting names and faces together.

Diane,

Another "trend" that I think is around the corner...and I, for one, can't wait...is the ability for the customer (our customers) to change the look of their eyewear. In Milan (Mido) I sat with a French company who was showing frames that had interchangeable metal pieces (about 40 different pieces) that attached to the frame front to change the entire look of the frame. The company is young and I think the product needs fine tuning but, I will be anxious to see the product again next show. I also saw a prototype (at this show) of a product with interchangeable lenses....I think this will be the next trend. Don't you love this industry? I do. Always something fresh and new...revised...and better.

hip chic

[Eddie G's]

Thanks for the TREND update!!!
:cheers:

So it looks like rimless is here to stay!

I just picked up the SWISSFLEX rimless line to hit the younger crowd.

Our Silhouette Titan's/Minimal X's are still selling well.
I can't believe that there are FAKE's of the Titan's going around.
Saw my first one last week and it was obvious (poor quality) that it was fake.

Eddie G's

[jofelk]

I count on optiboard members to keep me informed on whats happening in other parts of the world (outside this world we call a lab)! I will go to the show on the east coast.
So far, looking at the posts, it appears us lab guys are going to have to endure the drill rimless craze for a while longer.
Is there any other products that we should be aware of. Any new design that requires special handling, lense treatments ?

[hip chic]

Joseph~

Jeez...I hate to be the bearer of bad news...but, as I looked at new product from these "frame artists", I must admit that I thought (more than once) I'm glad I don't work in a lab anymore. What challenges you guys (and girls) face.

Granted, what could be more challenging than some of these rimless designs but, some of the other ways lenses are held in to frames are incredible...seemingly incredibly impossible.
I'm seeing full metal frames the shape of butterfly wings...with indentations (like a wave) at the temporal edge...lenses that will need both a bevel and a groove...and others that I can't even describe (really, I can't describe...I've been trying to figure out how to put into words the configurations, and I can't).
So get ready...some challenges are coming your way.

hip chic