Issue #89 July 19 th 2017 Blackfin s abroad development process continues The company is implementing a major market penetration strategy in Mexico pg. 3 Giovanni Vitaloni is the new ANFAO and Jewelry for all tastes pg. 5 MIDO President Together with his task force, he is ready to deal with market challenges pg. 2
Giovanni Vitaloni is the new ANFAO and MIDO President In this interview, he describes in detail the program for the next four years and presents his work team. From left, Cirillo Marcolin and Giovanni Vitaloni What are the basic values that inspire your mandate? First of all, we will aim to continue with Cirillo Marcolin s mandate (editor s note: the outgoing president), drawing inspiration from four absolute values: transparency, engagement both of the structure that works on the MIDO and ANFAO (Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers Association) operating system and the membership base innovation concerning above all communication and commercial activities and, finally, the quality of the work we do. Who will be on your team? The new Presidential Board will consist of Paolo Pettazzoni, Renato Sopracolle, Lorraine Berton, Nicola Del Din (Vice President), Cirillo Marcolin (Past President). The new Vice Presidents will be assisted by delegates for special activities: Callisto Fedon for relations with Certottica, Enrico Tormen as the delegate for the Technical Commission, and Nadia Zampol with the delegation for internationalization. You spoke about continuity with the past president, whose lines of development and achievements you contributed to as Vice President. Can you please specify the goals you share? Over the past four years we have worked hard on transparency and engagement of our members: I would like to further emphasize these two aspects. The most important aspect is the introduction of two new work teams: the first is the youth group, dedicated to under-40 members, which means the children of businessmen or businessmen who created a start-up in recent years. The concept is promoted by Confindustria and we are committed to moving forward. The themes will be, for example, industry 4.0, digitalization, and the generational handover within businesses. The second will be the sunglasses group. Over recent years we have seen the birth of many new companies that have developed their core business around sunglasses and/or sunglasses lenses; for these enterprises, we will concentrate on different topics like, for example, distribution channels, e-commerce, technology innovation linked to the product, all-around technical requirements, and counterfeiting. Do you already have team leaders? Nicola Del Din is responsible for the creation and development of these two new groups. Then he will see as things move forward whether or not to designate two team leaders. Nicola is also the delegate for the DaTE. You come from a SME like many of the ANFAO member companies. Do you believe this represents an added value and contributed to your election? In my opinion, yes. I believe that it is right to change after having been steered by the head of a large company. Obviously, we will continue to advance on all the aspects linked to these latter issues, like union relations and aspects linked to the technical area, which is also the work carried out by Certottica. Small and mid-sized businesses are interested in different topics, like the commercial aspects and support in promotion, as well as the other new services. The internationalization process represents one of the fundamental elements and must be supported by the association. So institutional relations with ICE (Italian Trade Agency) will continue? Yes, with President Scannavini and his team, we are working on the program for the second semester of 2017/18, which has already been confirmed. In fall, we will hold two events: the workshop in Miami and the presence of the Italian collective at the fair in Hong Kong. The important pre-mido event with international buyers and the Eastern European and Asian events have been confirmed. We only need to identify the cities of reference. Which will be the first challenges to face? The first opportunity is the DaTE, of which we are a partner, set for the September 23-25 at the Leopolda in Florence. There is a lot at stake because it is an event that is growing considerably and with plenty of potential. Moreover, we have transferred the venue from Milan to Florence, a city that is the barycenter of the peninsula, and I hope that the new timeframe contributes to making it a point of reference for many Italian opticians seeking sources of inspiration. world weekly wonders WMIDO 2
Eblock invests in social media For the launch of the sun clip-on by its Eblock brand - available at outlets from September 2017 - Som Eyewear is counting on an alternative campaign: a short storytelling video. Shared on social media since June, the video talks about the brand s values in a fresh and immediate language aimed at captivating a young, dynamic audience. The main player is a classic hipster who s careful about detail and loves the simple, immediate, linear shapes and leading-edge design, like the one by Eblock eyewear. A Messenger, he sprints through traffic to fulfill his mission: deliver a message. He wraps it, jumps on his bike and sets off: when he reaches his destination, he is met by... (to find out how it ends, log on to the company s social profile). Gigi Hadid teams up with Vogue Blackfin s abroad development process Blackfin has opened its first single-brand showroom in Mexico City. The project is the result of the internationalisation process which the brand has successfully embarked upon. It was conceived out of the partnership between Nicola Del Din and the Mexico sales partner Moda y Vision Italiana, led by two young Italian entrepreneurs, Giancarlo Quacquarelli and Federico Pasquetto. The showroom also includes the sales offices and a warehouse which enables more efficient product distribution throughout the Mexican area. The commitment of the Italo-Mexican team have also allowed us to include Blackfin in three major optician chains in Mexico, all with an end to increasing the brand s presence in areas with a strong tourist vocation. With this goal in mind, a Blackfin mini-store has been opened inside Doce-18, an exclusive concept-house in San Miguel de Allende. In addition, the coming months are set to see Blackfin s introduction in a top-flight Mexican optician chain with stores in the country s main airports, as well as the direct opening of further shopin-shops inside renowned boutique hotels. Safilo North America relocates Nicola Del Din, CEO This year, Vogue Eyewear wanted to send a strong message to women all over the world through the #showyourvogue campaign. It is an invitation to everyone to show the world their inner charm, the V-Side that reflects everyone s personality and makes them special. An idea of beauty that goes well beyond external appearances. To further underscore the message, in the second chapter of the campaign the brand chose Gigi Hadid as its special ambassador. But the famous top model did more then simply play the role of testimonial: she personally collaborated on the launch of the Gigi Hadid for Vogue Eyewear Special Collection. It includes 4 models (3 sun and 1 optical) which have her name on the product and the case. The Safilo Group has moved its North American headquarters from Parsippany, NJ, to Secaucus, NJ. Situated about eight kilometers from New York City, the new head office is on the second and fourth floors of a ten-story building. With an open space concept, the two floors host a showroom with complete product samples for presentations to customers, a call center, numerous product and conference rooms, a large meeting space, a cafe and refreshment area. The move is part of Safilo North America s plan to modernize and simplify operations. In 2015 distribution and logistics were integrated with the distribution center at Denver, Colorado, and the second distribution center in Parsippany was closed, with the consequent relocation of the returns and remanufacturing departments to Denver in 2016. The official inauguration of the new HQ for customers and the media is scheduled for mid October. world weekly wonders WMIDO 3
Kyme celebrates Mykonos Kyme is a young brand that has undertaken a series of beachy partnerships that include one of the most famous pearls of the Peloponnese, the island of Mykonos. The main character of the first collaboration is the divine village of Nammos Beach, for which the Italian brand has made a special edition exclusively for the Ralph's Diner store. For the occasion, the iconic Pin model has been reinterpreted with the typical characteristics of the location. Inspiration came from the island s warm and dazzling atmosphere, the blue of the unspoiled sea at Nammos Beach, and the gold color of the sun, which come all together in Pin Special Edition, eyewear in transparent blue acetate with gold flash lenses for a vintage effect. Safilens focuses on Germany with MPG&E A double shot by L.G.R. Capri Mimetic From left: Daniele Bazzocchi, General Manager Safilens, Gerhard Eißing, Managing Director MPG&E Safilens has appointed MPG&E as exclusive distributor of its products in Germany for the next five years. Based in Bordesholm in the north of Germany, MPG&E specializes in the sale of contact lenses and associated maintenance products. It is an independent distributor that supplies opticians and optometrist with high-quality products that come from all over the world and also helps them with taking care of their customers and patients. Safilens General Manager Daniele Bazzocchi commented: In recent years the request for our products has grown constantly in Germany. This is why we have decided to take a step forward and expand our sales in that country. Not one, but two capsules characterize L.G.R. s summer: Mimetic and Capri. The first collection was inspired by the Italian colonial style of the 30s and 40s. It has been given a modern re-interpretation of 14 sun models, thanks to coatings in a special camouflage cotton. Capri winks an eye at the lifestyles and colors of the Italian Riviera of the 50s and 60s. Seven sun and six optical models have been revisited with new opalescent colors. All L.G.R. models have tempered mineral glass lenses that are scratch resistant, shockproof and with six antireflection layers that guarantee 100% protection from UV rays. Turn over design by Mario Milana Alessandro Bogliolo CEO Tiffany & Co. Olivier Lapidus Creative Director Lanvin Giovanni Vitaloni President ANFAO and MIDO world weekly wonders WMIDO 4
Design, fashion & lifestyle A lovely breeze in the kitchen Lovely Breeze is the first Alessi project carried out by Japanese designer Sakura Adachi. An avid supporter of the shapefunction duo, she designs ingenious space-saving objects, just like this rocking container. Lovely Breeze is a centerpiece, a bowl for fruit or candies, or even for coins and keys. As if rocked by a gentle breeze, the container goes from a horizontal to a vertical position, depending on its function at the moment. Timepieces 2.0 Starting September 14, 2017, the outcome of the collaboration between Giorgio Armani and young singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes will be available to buy. It is the first collection of touchscreen smartwatches and the new hybrid smartwatch models for the Emporio Armani Connected line. Emporio Armani s dynamic style meets technology: the new timepieces combine the brand s coveted design with the advantages of the most modern wearable technology. Without forgoing the atelier s typical style and elegance, users will be kept up-to-date by the display of messages and notifications directly on the watch. The infinite aspects of glass To celebrate its 10 th birthday, Lasvit the company that makes lamps in Bohemia crystal worked with two of the world s major design studios: Zaha Hadid and Kengo Kuma. Consistent with Zaha Hadid s famous aesthetics, the company presented Eve and Duna, two lamps that combine traditional glassmaking techniques with parametric design. Striking in daylight, the structural qualities of the two works open up new dimensions in the evening. The Yakisugi collection is inspired by an ancient Japanese technique by which wood used for construction is preserved by charring the surface. With these two works, Kengo Kuma aimed at investigating the materiality of glass and the natural structure of wood. Jewelry for all tastes Thomas Sabo has launched a fall/winter 2017 collection of jewelry featuring a contemporary, multi-colored and versatile style. The new line ranges from innovative proposals to refined diamond jewelry in a more classical style; from sophisticated items in silver to engraved models for a personal touch. Made in sterling silver 925, the creations are embellished partly with a gold finish and partly with hand-set stones. From romantic, highly feminine pendants to the most glamorous bracelets; from ethnic mini chakra to Buddhist rosaries; from skulls to crucifixes; from pearls to gemstones: every model is designed to reflect the personality of the wearer. 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