M Webster Holdings eyes a new venture for summer
SYDNEY: Australian vertical retailer David Lawrence is set to broach yet another fashion category.
Only three months since the official launch of its menswear line, David Lawrence Man, the Sydney-based retail chain has announced it will also release a range of sunglasses for spring/summer 2007.
Developed in collaboration with eyewear brand Mondottica, the collection takes inspiration from current European trends with large, oversized frames in classic colours. Hues include rich tortoiseshell and horn and unique two tone colour blends of black and red.
Mondottica managing director Ian Hoole said the collaboration was a 50/50 partnership with David Lawrence, a brand owned and operated by M Webster Holdings, providing the brief and Mondottica designers creating the finished product.
Hoole said timing for the eyewear collaboration was ideal for both companies.
M Webster Holdings, which appointed a new CEO Rory Scott in May, has been expanding its product offering since its acquisition of the Marc and Morrissey brands late last year. Mondottica, a UK headquartered distributor and creator of eyewear, has also extended its product range with the recent launch of Shanghai Tang and Lagerfeld glasses in Australia.
"M Webster Holdings was looking to expand its accessory ranges at the same time Mondottica Australia was looking to introduce a new fashion label into the eyewear market," Hoole said. "This eyewear range has followed the David Lawrence philosophy of being a lifestyle brand for the modern woman."
Comprising of 12 sunglass models and 14 optical models, the women's range will launch later this month with a men's version set for release towards the end of the year. Both collections will be imbued with a subtle David Lawrence logo and select optical styles will also feature crystals along the temple.
Priced from $149 to $179, the sunglasses will be available for purchase through David Jones stores, David Lawrence outlets and leading optometrists throughout Australia. The optical range will be available through optometrists only and is priced from $280 to $340.
The David Lawrence eyewear launch follows a wave of similar collaborations, with designer labels sass and bide, Kirrily Johnston and Collette Dinnigan all debuting ranges for spring/summer 2007. Mid-level wholesalers such as One Teaspoon have also joined the bandwagon, collaborating with eyewear brand Le Specs for a collection of sunglasses under $100 earlier this year.
Le Specs owner Sunshades eyewear said while the category was an increasingly competitive one, brands which offered unique propositions at competitive prices would continue to thrive.
By Assia Benmedjdoub