Issue #86 June 7 th 2017 Contract renewal for De Rigo and Escada Their partnership is secured until 2023 pg. 3 Authentic Living Stronger Together Perspectives of the European Coalition for Vision according to Chairman David Hewlett pg. 5 pg. 2
Stronger Together The ECV was established in 2012. It is a coalition of the willing with the shared aims of raising the importance of eye health and vision up the health and political agendas at the European level and in member states. WMIDO met its President: David Hewlett. How did the idea to create the European Coalition for Vision come about? Four years following the 2008 financial crisis, with an ageing population and only nugatory progress being made towards Vision 2020 goals, some of us felt it was time for the whole the eye health sector in all its aspects to make common cause and speak with a united voice to determine whether we could together make a greater impact. Hence the founding of the ECV. What makes the ECV unique is that we bring together all parts of the sector including ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians as well as manufacturers and distributors, academics and researchers, patient and user voices, public health experts and charities. About half our members are pan-european, a quarter are global bodies and the remaining quarter come from single European countries. What are your objectives? Our formal aims are to raise the profile of vision and eye health, to help prevent avoidable visual impairment and to provide support to those with irreversible blindness or low vision in Europe. We may not have much money even though we fight for the whole sector and could do much more with more support; membership of the ECV is free and donations are voluntary, usually linked to specific projects. However we do have dedication, strong wills, big hearts and a shared passion for eye health and equality for all. You were elected in June 2016: how is your team organized? I was fortunate to take over as second ECV chair in 2016 following Peter Ackland of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Peter s are big shoes to fill but I am lucky to be supported by an excellent Vice Chair in Jean-Félix Biosse Duplan and a very committed Executive Group. This is important as the challenges facing us have not become any less since 2012 and, in many ways, have worsened as austerity has bitten into European health systems at all levels, with the most vulnerable suffering most. What were the main activities of your office this year? Over the last year we have therefore focussed on making World Sight Day a rallying point in the European Parliament and calendar to remind all EU citizens to have regular sight tests and to optimise their vision correction to improve their quality of life. As part of the programme of activities we actively supported the Marrakesh Treaty to enable printed materials to be made more widely available to blind and partially sighted people a massive breakthrough in equality and fairness. We seek to do this in low cost ways and make use of innovative platforms, like social media, to reach as many people as possible. This approach brings us together as a coalition of hundreds and thousands of people and organisations in Europe committed to better eye care and the avoidance of visual impairment and blindness. When operating in more traditional influencing modes, we work in partnership to attract the widest possible audience and to share costs. Last November we co-hosted a very successful Parliamentary event with colleagues in the European Forum Against Blindness (EFAB) and the European Alliance for Vision Research and Ophthalmology (EU-EYE) on diabetic retinopathy, an area where public health screening programmes are proving to be highly effective in reducing avoidable sight loss. This year we have also joined the European Commission s European Innovation Project on Active and Health Ageing (EIP AHA), where we are contributing specifically around falls prevention and integrated care. Any member of an ECV member including WMIDO readers is welcome to promote their work through this initiative. Please let us help you spread the word about what you are doing and network with potential partners via the various events held in Brussels and across Europe. Are you working on any special projects for the upcoming months? We will continue to press forward on all of these fronts over the next two years. As a Coalition we have kindly been granted access to Eurostat data on eye health, and we have gained agreement from EUROSTAT to create Europe-wide and comparable Member State indicators to support those working for vision and eye health in those countries. We are looking at presenting these data at one of the major European public health conferences in 2018 or 2019. David Hewlett with speakers at the ECV s European Parliamentary event. world weekly wonders WMIDO 2
Marcolin and Diesel continue their collaboration Marcolin Group and Diesel have announced the anticipated renewal of the licensing agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames by Diesel Eyewear. The original 2010 partnership between the two companies has now been renewed and extended until 2023. Massimo Renon, General Business Manager of the Marcolin Group, stated: The renewal of the eyewear licensing agreement with Diesel reveals our clear intention to invest in high quality international brands, at a time when the glasses and sunglasses market is extremely complex and competitive. We are honoured that Diesel has acknowledged us as their ideal partner in terms of creativity, distribution strategies and the level of service, a partner with whom they can collaborate and develop a relationship that guarantees success. Massimo Renon Massimo Renon Recognition of Certottica s ethical conduct Certottica has been awarded the maximum score in the Legality Rating, meaning that it is publicly recognized as one of the most exemplary Italian companies as regards ethical conduct. The Legality Rating is an innovative tool introduced by the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) in accordance with the Italian Ministries of the Interior and Justice, whose function is to introduce and promote ethical and legal conduct by companies. Adopting a virtual system of recognition (based on stars, where one is the lowest and three the highest), the Rating evaluates respect for legality and measures the company s level of dedication to correct and principled business management. It also controls the way in which the organization stores the marks awarded to companies, for the attribution of financing by public authorities and for access to bank credit. Luigino Boito, President of Certottica Contract renewal for De Rigo and Escada The two companies have renewed their licensing agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of the brand of designer glasses and sunglasses, Escada Eyewear, until 2023. De Rigo and Escada have worked together since 2004 and have recently recorded excellent double digit growth figures in the largest European and Asian markets. The European market registered particularly good results in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), thanks in part to the direct supervision of distribution introduced in 2016 with the opening of a business branch De Rigo Vision D.A.CH., and also to the local popularity of the fashion brand. In line with the image overhaul of Escada and the brand strategy of focusing on contemporary women, the two companies are working together on a new business offer comprising an even wider and more comprehensive range of products. Ray-Ban and Ferrari, together both on and off the circuits Ray-Ban recently undersigned a high-profile sponsorship agreement with the Scuderia Ferrari, marking the use of the brand s logo on the Ferrari SF70H livery for the entire duration of 2017. The agreement also includes a capsule collection inspired by the aerodynamic design, materials and colours of the Ferrari racing team, which transforms the fiery Ferrari red and Modena yellow hues, the shiny metal and black pneumatics of the iconic racing car into a range of glasses. The collection uses advanced lens technology, with ultra-light carbon steel, super-resistant steel and anti-impact rubber. world weekly wonders WMIDO 3
#It s Vuarnet Love Day! To mark their sixtieth anniversary, the French brand Vuarnet inaugurates Vuarnet Love Days, a large-scale charitable initiative to raise money for the Shades of Love association. The association works to aid populations which live in areas of extreme, harsh sunlight, in the Himalayan range, the Andes or in Siberia, by providing them with sunglasses to protect their eyes from damage. For every pair of glasses sold by the brand, another pair will be offered to a person who lives in one of these most isolated areas in the world, where the sun s rays are extremely dangerous. Einer Italia and Valentin Yudashkin: together till 2021 Einar Italia announces the early renewal of its license for the design, production and distribution of VALENTIN YUDASHKIN sunglasses and eyeglass frames. The partnership, launched by the new company in the Belluno eyewear sector in early 2016 with one of Russia s leading fashion designers, will last through to 2021. Our aim, comments Stefano Cannicci, Chairman of Einar Italia, is to invest heavily in the Valentin Yudashkin brand; at the last MIDO Eyewear Show we participated with a monobrand stand, a decision validated by the success we enjoyed and the interest demonstrated by those in the business. The collection has been present for years on the Russian market and is now proving very popular in other countries as well. In the Valentin Yudashkin sunglasses and eyeglasses ranges we wanted to maintain the feminine touch of Galina, Valentin s daughter and new artistic director of the brand, focusing on understatement and elegance together with maximum wearability and comfort. We hope, concludes Stefano Cannicci. Walter & Herbert arrive in Italy with Visiva Walter & Herbert, the English brand founded in September 1946 by two young entrepreneurs - Walter Conway and Herbert Thorn will be distributed in Italy by Visiva. "We are honoured to work with this unique English brand, which produces the only acetate frames in Great Britain, at their Liverpool factory, states Stefano Castellani, owner of Visiva. "This was what first caught my attention but on closer inspection of the collection I was also amazed by the perfect matches and wonderful elegance of the models in question. The English company is currently run by the family s third generation; thanks to this agreement with Italy, the brand will be sold alongside the Visiva ranges and other well-known brands such as Randolph U.S.A. and Madison Avenue. Turn over design by Mario Milana Angela Moore Marketing Director for Insights & Communications ABB Optical Group Yves Müller Chief Financial Officer Hugo Boss Janna I. Neal Vice President of Operations Zyloware Eyewear Lisa Patterson Manager of Content & Digital Marketing ABB Optical Group Jim Sepanek Vice President of Sales and Marketing De Rigo REM world weekly wonders WMIDO 4
Design, fashion & lifestyle Marion Ayonote and the disco bag Club Classic clutches by well-known British designer Marion Ayonote are made in Italy. The style is classic but they feature an amusing detail that conjures up music and carefree evenings: the clasp looks like a music cassette in a bronze or polished gold colour. Zoe, Allegra, Arabella, Ziyana and Isabella: five different colours that will go perfectly with any day or evening outfit. Marion Ayonote couture bags are a symbol of refinement and attention to detail. Without neglecting originality. Authentic Living In collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini, Riva 1920 a company that makes furniture in solid wood has produced a new collection created by famous designer Karim Rashid. A meeting between tradition and innovation, extraordinary attention to detail, artisanal expertise and design are at the basis of Authentic Living, a collection that features flowing, elegant lines and natural materials like solid walnut and leather. It includes a table with an asymmetrical leg positioned laterally; an upholstered, leather-covered chair; a desk with smooth, flowing lines; a bookcase with asymmetrical supports; and a sofa with a wooden shell. Ideas with a common thread During Pitti Immagine Uomo, the Marzotto Group and Filivivi will be celebrating the bicentenary of Lanerossi, the legendary textile company, with the exhibition, Il filo rosso delle idee. Lanerossi 200 anni. The show will be held in Florence from June 13 through 16, 2017, at La Limonaia di Villa Vittoria, and from June 28 through 30, 2017, at Teatrino Lorenese, Fortezza da Basso. Curated by Alessandra Bosco and Fiorella Bulegato, the exhibition reconstructs the history of communication artefacts and displays works by the major artists who collaborated with the company starting from the Thirties; they include Adolfo Busi, Studio Stile, Armando Testa, Pino Tovaglia, Severo Pozzati, Claudia Morgagni, Mauro Masera and Ugo Mulas. Piuma is the best of the best The Piuma chair by Kartell an Italian company that makes furnishings won the most important Red Dot Award: Best of the Best Product Design 2017. By Piero Lissoni, Piuma is one of the most revolutionary and imaginative products that uses Kartell s evolutionary technologies and materials. Its minimalist design took three years of research into a unique compound: a complex carbon-filled thermoplastic polymer that gives it great mechanical rigidity combined with considerable lightness. Thanks to this unique combination of materials, the chair is not only very light and slender but also incredibly durable, flexible and suitable for outdoor use. Editorial Director: Francesco Gili MIDO Srl Unipersonale Via Petitti, 16-20149 Milano (Italy) Phone +39 02 32673673 P. Iva IT 07164050150 Cod. Fiscale e n. Iscr. Ufficio Imprese di Milano 07164050150 Cap. soc. 120.000,00 i.v. R.e.a. 1710133 Company subject to the direction and the coordination of Anfao - Associazione Nazionale Fabbricanti Articoli Ottici WMIDO is published in cooperation with Publicomm srl Piazzetta Brera 24/2-20121 Milano (Italy) P. Iva 02030290999 email: redazione@wmido.com world weekly wonders WMIDO 5