The super Fendi buckle belt and bag is the latest inspiration for the Fendi B-Buckle sunglass collection this fall. The theme of Fendi’s latest sunglasses capture the signature belt buckles on both temples.

Gold metal details feature the Fendi double “F” pattern. Stitching effects create a leather illusion in such colors as shiny black, bisquit, shiny black and white, shiny white and dark brown. There are also two Fendi B-Buckle limited edition styles featuring an antique amber gold finished eyelet and belt loop, crafted in metal and adorned with intricately placed rhinestones and rivets on both temples.

RayBan has been around forever and are considered to be synonymous with sunglasses. The Italian frame making company introduced another sunglass this fall that I consider to be one of the best values out there; RayBan 4080. 

This frame has a very sleek sporty look but would look just as good in the boardroom with a suit.  The RayBan 4080 is very lightweight and comfortable with style that definitely has an Italian edge. The lens are made of APX which is impact and shatter resistant.

RayBan continues to be a trend setter and just might represent the best “bang for the buck” sunglass manufacture out there today, especially considering the frames and lens are manufacture in Italy. 

Ok, so its not a sunglass?

Oakley has always been known around the globe for their strong brand loyalty and “branding”.  During the past few day’s Oakley has been releasing to major accounts their new “Display Case”; an amazing looking piece with some impressive engineering. Here is one of the first public pictures of their new case.

It may not be a sunglass, but their new cases will definitely be talked about in the sunglass industry. Sunglass Superstore was lucky enough to be one of the first retailers to get not one, but two of these impressive display cases. The cases mark the beginning of Oakley’s new marketing effort that will update the Oakley “Theme” keeping them at the cutting edge of the industry. If you are an Oakley fan, come buy and check out these stunning cases.

Another common request is I get is….”what is your best super light weight sunglass?”

There are many light weight sunglasses made today, but clearly Maui Jim’s Titanium Sport series sunglasses have ruled this category in past.  Maui Jim upped the ante again this spring with the release of their “Titanium Elite” series that boasts even better optics and lighter weight! The main difference between the original Titanium series and the “Titanium Elite” series is the inclusion of a temple hinge for convenience and most importantly Maui Jim’s new proprietary Maui Evolution lens!

This extremely lightweight frame is made from a remarkable durable titanium alloy and contains titanium, aluminum and vanadium for maximum strength and flexibility.  Even though it weighs almost nothing, it is quite durable. Of all the “Titanium Elite” series frames, my personal favorite is the Paradise.  However, Maui Jim also has the Bikini (probably the smallest sunglass they have ever made) as well as the Roundabout and Windward.

With all the benefits of the light weight frame and titanium strength, the best feature of the “Titanium Elite” series is Maui Jim ’s new proprietary Maui Evolution lens.  This new lens material is a fusion of the best properties of Maui Jim ’s superThin glass and Polycarbonate lenses, offering superior optics, scratch resistance and impact resistance in a lightweight package. Maui Evolution enhances color with the patented “PolarizedPlus2” technology that eliminates glare and boosts colors with a patented multi-layer design. The lenses feature 3 rare earth elements, which maximize transmission of the colors your eyes see naturally – so you see color like you’ve never seen it before.

I get the question all the time….”what is your best/favorite aviator style sunglass?” Pretty hard question to answer really since just about every single sunglass manufacture out there today has an “aviator” style sunglass.  In fact, there are so many I really think its impossible to have just one “favorite” aviator.  With all the choices out I still have a few favorites for one reason or another. One of the best aviators out there today that I seem to mention in nearly every category is the Persol 2256S.

Persol is known for their unique and very classy styles that nearly always look WAY more expensive then they are. In fact, the Persol 2256S with their “crystal polarized” lens might very well represent the best price to quality ratio of any aviator style sunglass.  Persol’s crystal lens are made from the most precious optical material of natural origin that guarantees protection and visual comfort. Their lens are scientifically formulated to offer excellent protection against the sun’s harmful rays, absorbing radiation that can prove to be damaging for the human eye.  

A couple of the features that I love about this sunglass is its classic look, but without the typical aviator lens droop. It also is more of a “wrap” style sunglass that offers excellent side protection that some of the flatter aviator’s just can’t offer. The other thing this sunglass has is that “IT” feature; the indescribable thing that just tells you “wow”.

Oakley’s most recent release is the new “Square Wire” which should definitely be one of their strongest wire/metal frames during the foreseeable future.  The Square Wire features a classic style that will appeal to a very broad range of customers.

Oakley Construction quality has always been one of their strength, and the Square Wire is no exception.  In fact, these frames feel to me to be as rugged and solid as any wire frame out there today. This should be a good frame for those people that are “tough” on sunglasses!

And as if the style and construction was great, every one of the six available colors are fantastic.  In fact, the best color may very well be “Olive Chrome” with the Dark Amber lens (the pictures don’t do it justice!).  It’s a great color that I expect to be their best seller. If you haven’t seen this color, you have got to check it out.

One of the latest Versace models (VE 4086) was recently released after being held back from the market for a few months. In fact, Nordstrom’s ran the Versace 4086 as one of their featured frames in a recent catalog with access to the frame!  Well, finally the frame has been shipped and it was worth the wait.  This sunglass combines the temples of Versace’s hottest summer selling VE 2048 with a new frame.  The two tone colors and textures of this frame are stunning and unique from anything in the Versace line.  However, the biggest surprise quite frankly is the price; only $184.99!  After examining the frame, it could have been priced much higher in my opinion.  This could be the bargain frame of the fall season!

Another unique sunglass that was recently leaked to me is the future Prada PR04HS.   

This sunglass will feature a large Prada Logo along the temple which is very unique as Prada generally has small and sophisticated logo treatments. This logo has been used extensively on their handbags and other leather goods.

It also has a one-piece lens and somewhat similar style to the red hot PR 09GS, one of the best selling models for Prada in 2006.

No word as of yet when this model will ship, but given that a recent picture was leaked with an established model number would expect to see this sunglass in their November 2006 releases and ready for the holidays.  

Last week at Vision Expo West (“THE” convention for high-end sunglass manufactures and the optical world) many brands had prototypes of future models that they will be releasing for the holidays. 

One of the most unique releases I saw was the “Belle” sunglass by Coach. The unique feature of the this sunglass it that it was interchangeable bezels on the temple!  It comes with a more classic chrome bezel with color highlights as well as an additional “bling” bezel with crystals! So now you can have both “bling” and “classic” styles with the same frame. The bezels twists off and the model I checked out had meticulous detail and solid construction, traits Coach is known for.

I certainly expect this model to be a great gift idea and somewhat of a collector piece given its unique bezels.  The Belle has classic great looking style, like most of the Coach sunglass line. You wont see this model in many stores as it will be somewhat of a feature piece available to only specialized accounts, like Sunglass Superstore.  In fact we will be the only retail store in Summerlin with this model during the holiday season! 

sunglass line. You wont see this model in many stores as it will be somewhat of a feature piece available to only specialized accounts, like Sunglass Superstore.  In fact we will be the only retail store in with this model during the holiday season!  sunglass line. You wont see this model in many stores as it will be somewhat of a feature piece available to only specialized accounts, like Sunglass Superstore.  In fact we will be the only retail store in with this model during the holiday season! Unfortunately, the “Belle” won’t be shipped to the store until around December 1, 2006.  However, it should be well worth the wait!

Picking the most beautiful sunglass of the fall season was actually pretty easy this year.  While there are many fantastic frames out there, one clearly rises to the top of every single category; the Bvlgari 856B. 

Bvlgari 856B

While Bvlgari is predominately known as an Italian Jewelry company,  they are also known for their very high quality and stunning sunglasses.  Many people don’t know that Chanel and Bvlgari sunglasses are licensed under the same company.  While no one can dispute the popularity of Chanel sunglasses, Bvlgari serves are they’re more esoterique brand for very discriminating customers. If you have seen our ads during the past month, you have no doubt seen the Bvlgari 856B beautiful sunglass.  It features two or three “flowers” along the temples that are made of gorgeous Swarovski crystals. Bvlgari also offers a “shield” version of the special edition flowers sunglasses in the model 652B.  This model is actually a little flashier than the 856B model, with still retaining the class and sophistication that has made Bvlgari famous.

Check out Bvlgari’s site for more info on these and other sunglasses!

Bvlgari Website