On Sunday, July 9, cyclists will be gearing up and riding together in our nation’s capital for Fighting Blindness Canada’s Cycle for Sight Ottawa fundraising event, in support of advancing vision research and bringing hope to the estimated 1.2 million Canadians living with vision loss.

With ride distance options ranging from 25km to 100km and the option for a 5km walk around Mud Lake Trail, participants will enjoy a scenic and fully supported ride through the countryside west of the city, culminating in a finish line celebration party, BBQ and free massages for riders. The nationally hosted event is expected to raise over $500,000.

“To date, Cycle for Sight has raised $6.2 million, contributing directly to research that is transforming lives,” said Mirja Raita, Manager, Cycle for Sight. “Participants are not just helping their friends and family members impacted by vision loss, they’re helping as many as 8 million Canadians living with an eye condition that puts them at risk of blindness.”

Cycle for Sight Ottawa is 1 of 5 locations taking place across Canada. A virtual participation opportunity is also available for individuals to enjoy with an activity of their choice: running, dancing, swimming, or moving in any way in support of sight-saving research.

Register to participate or sign-up to volunteer at cycleforsight.ca

Date: Sunday, July 9, 2023

Location: Britannia Park, 2805 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 8K6

Time:  7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (welcome and opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m., first cyclists depart at 8:30 a.m.)

Choice of distances: 25k, 50k or 100k ride, or 5km walk.

Click HERE for the full press release.

The new Etnia Barcelona Collection is a kind of love letter to Africa, to its culture, traditions and colours; Pop Art inspired shapes in acetates that reproduce animal print textures in vibrant colours. Three models in 7 mm natural Mazzucchelli acetate, crafted in 3D designs. Oversized frames ending in a substantial, gold encrusted temple tip.

Featured model: The Kennedy 4 Sun

Distributed by: www.etniabarcelona.com

EssilorLuxottica and Jimmy Choo announce that they have signed an exclusive license agreement for the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of Jimmy Choo Eyewear.

The agreement will be effective from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2028, with an automatic renewal option of an additional five years. The first collection under the agreement will be available on the market from Q1 2024.

The collections will be developed under the leadership of Jimmy Choo Creative Director Sandra Choi. The partnership brings Jimmy Choo Eyewear into a new era, with a commitment to the continuous pursuit of excellence that embodies the Jimmy Choo approach to luxury.

Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica said: “We are excited to embark on this new journey with Jimmy Choo, a pioneer in the art of celebrity styling and the global luxury business. Together, we will design innovative luxury eyewear collections that will embody the best of the brand’s artistic vision and signature glamour. In turn, our collaboration will further strengthen the high-luxury segment in the eyewear category.”

Hannah Colman, CEO at Jimmy Choo said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with EssilorLuxottica combining our shared expertise in accessories and eyewear categories to bring to life the essence of Jimmy Choo’s glamorous and confident aesthetic.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Recognizing its long-standing history of supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in the optical industry, Transitions Optical has announced the launch of a new Diversity Advisory Board in Canada. The board includes eye care professionals with expertise on the unique eye health and communication needs of diverse patients, specifically the three largest and fastest-growing BIPOC populations in Canada, Asian Canadians, Black Canadians and Indigenous Canadians.

The new board held its inaugural meeting in Vancouver, B.C. in June 2023. During the meeting, the Board discussed goals and objectives for the year, including efforts to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate vision care to a diverse patient base and to help improve representation of diverse populations in the optical industry, through outreach to student populations beginning career planning and current optical industry professionals. The Board’s efforts will build on recent activities including country-wide research conducted in 2022 to determine perceptions of eye health risks among diverse populations in Canada, a resulting thought leadership white paper and a partnership with Ay Lelum, a second-generation Coast Salish Design House from Nanaimo, B.C.

Members of the 2023 Transitions Canada Diversity Advisory Board include:

• Danielle Gordon, O.D. – Sphere Optometry
• Wael Yassein – The Eye Shoppe
• Essence Johnson, O.D. – Parkland Hospital
• Vi Tu Banh, O.D. – Uxbridge Optometry
• Germain Dupuis, O.D. – Centre Visuel du KRT
• Harbir Sian, O.D. – Highstreet Eyecare, Clarity Eyecare
• Aunalee Boyd-Good – Director at Ay Lelum The Good House of Design Inc.

“The new Diversity Advisory Board is the latest of our efforts at Transitions Optical to build on the strong foundation we have around diversity and inclusion efforts in Canada,” said Isabelle Tremblay, Director of Sales & Marketing, Transitions. “In tandem with our board members, our goal is to engage with the optical industry to improve diversity representation, reach consumers and their unique vision needs, equip eyecare professionals with tools and education to serve diverse patients, and empower the next generation of students.”

Transitions Optical provides its industry partners with the tools and education they need to better serve and improve communication with their culturally diverse patients. Resources are available free-of-charge to eyecare professionals at Transitions.com/en-canadapro/. Those interested in being involved with the Transitions Diversity Advisory Board can contact cscanada@transitions.com for more information.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Safilo Group announces that its licensing agreement for the design, production and distribution of the eyewear collection of Jimmy Choo will reach its natural expiration date on December 31, 2023 and will not be renewed.

The two Groups will continue to work together until the end of the licensing agreement.

Click HERE for the full press release.