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June 18, 2021June 18, 2021

Tens: Sunglasses by Photographers, Launches Canadian Distribution

Tens, the UK sunglass brand founded in 2014 by three young and independent Photographers has announced a Canadian distribution agreement.

In partnership with Québec based distribution Vision JM, Tens will be distributed through exclusive optical and lifestyle retail partners and serve its Canadian customers. Tens made eyewear industry headlines in 2014 when the brand launched its debut filter lens, creating a warm and uplifting viewing experience inspired by its roots in photography and filmmaking.

Tens now bills itself as “the lens experience company”, specialising in multiple custom lenses designed to immerse the wearer in unique visual experiences; each featured in high quality and sustainably sourced eyewear developed with globally renowned partners in France, Italy and Australia.

Vision JM will manage the brand marketing, wholesale and customer service functions for Tens in the Quebec and Canadian markets.

Click HERE for the full press release.

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021

Specs and the City: Season 1

Over the past few years, SILMO and its partners have developed a range of event formats to complement the long-standing Paris trade fair, in response to the desire for new experiences, and the need to foster close ties and flexibility at optics industry trade fairs.

Travel restrictions and the long period without trade fairs brought about by the global pandemic inspired SILMO to create a new event format whose main focus is to maintain the truly special links that connect the optical community.

As large gatherings of people in a single exhibition space were banned, what if a city hosted multiple small spaces for quality individual meetings?

COPENHAGEN SPECS and SILMO introduce the latest addition to their family of events: SPECS AND THE CITY.

Over the course of a weekend, the participating brands and businesses will host clients and potential clients in showrooms that they have set up in one of the event’s partnering hotels located in a defined area to facilitate travel on foot or on bike.

SPECS AND THE CITY takes a fresh look at trade meetings and transforms them into a “unique experience in each of the host cities, which will be showing off all of their charms and treasures in order to welcome the optics-eyewear community”, explain the organisers.

SPECS AND THE CITY Season 1 is starting soon. Save the date:

− COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – AUGUST 20-22

− VALENCIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 1-3

− ANTWERP, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 8-10

− COLOGNE, GERMANY – OCTOBER 16-18

− TALLIN, ESTONIA – OCTOBER 22-24

Click HERE for the press release.

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021

DaTE, the International Date with Avant-Garde Eyewear, Returns to Florence, Italy

DaTE, the international trade show featuring avant-garde eyewear is set to take place Saturday, September 11^th to Monday, September 13^th. The show returns to Florence, at the Stazione Leopolda.

After the 2020 edition (the only in-person industry event of the year), organization of the ninth edition is under way. It promises to be the pivotal place to conduct business and talk shop, the center of attraction for companies known for innovation and design and for blazing new trails in avant-garde eyewear on a global scale.

“We are faced with a new challenge in 2021,” explained Giovanni Vitaloni, President of DaTE. “Our aim is to send a strong message to the industry, mobilizing all of the industry movers and shakers who, thanks to their innovative prowess, embody the ability to build the future. We need all the strength and determination that our industry has demonstrated throughout this very long and complicated year. Only in tandem with exhibitors, buyers, opticians and the entire eyewear supply chain can we move the market and be the driver of growth in the coming years,” concluded Vitaloni.

More information available at dateyewear.com.

Click HERE for the full press release.

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021

Paralympic Athletes Encourage Canadians to Get Active for FBC’s Cycle for Sight Virtual Event

On Saturday, June 19, Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) anticipated Cycle for Sight event will once again be going virtual across Canada!

This virtual event is fully inclusive. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to get active by doing their favourite physical activity, including cycling, running, walking, yoga and more, either indoors or outdoors, provided local regulations are respected.

These members of Canada’s current and past Paralympic teams will be part of the event:

Lowell Taylor, Parapan Silver Medalist, Paralympic 2020 hopeful and Amazing Race Canada season 4 contestant
Victoria Nolan, Paralympic bronze medalist in rowing and 2020 Paralympian
Jessica Tuomela, 3x Paralympic Games in swimming, 2020 Paralympic hopeful in triathlon
Donovan Tildesley, 5x Paralympic medalist in swimming and 2008 Paralympic flagbearer
Maya Jonas, Paralympic athlete and Canada Winter Games silver and bronze medalist in Nordic skiing

“We’re thrilled to have support from visually-impaired Paralympic athletes this year”, says Doug Earle, President & CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. “And we’re looking forward to hundreds of people moving with us across the country on June 19^th. Funds raised through Cycle for Sight play an integral role in supporting Canadian vision research and this year we are expecting our amazing community to raise more than $425,000.”

Participants will Kick-Off their Cycle for Sight morning anytime they are ready at cycleforsight2021.ca. Those not cycling can try one or all of FBC’s online activities including a spin class, a yoga or dance session, audio only exercises and even a ZWIFT ride led by Lowell Taylor.

Once participants have completed their exercise activities, they can check back in at cycleforsight2021.ca and join in for the virtual Finish Line Celebrations featuring fundraisers who are helping bring hope to the 8 million Canadians living with an eye condition that has caused them to or puts them at risk of losing their sight.

Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021

Timing: Virtual Kick-Off anytime that morning, Virtual Finish Line Celebrations starting at 1 p.m. Pacific; 2 p.m. Mountain; 3 p.m. Central; 4 p.m. Eastern; 5 p.m. Atlantic; and 5:30 p.m. Newfoundland time.

Fundraising Goal: $425,000 in support of Fighting Blindness Canada for research into cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases.

Click HERE for the full press release.

June 16, 2021May 20, 2026

Silhouette is Growing Its Portfolio of Luxury Frames

Silhouette’s Artline Collection premium-quality glasses are expertly made in the
heart of Austria from high-quality materials and finished with 23-carat gold. The
front of the frames on the women’s model is meticulously hand-embellished with
exquisite crystals and playfully accentuated by elegantly contoured lines.

Featured model: Artline 5546

Distributed by COS: canadianoptical.com