Wednesday 5 October 2011

[Vol.15] Eyewear Makes Women Look More Beautiful –New Attractive Collaboration Produced by “FLEYE by AKITTO“-


This year, IOFT Show Management has a number of fantastic news to announce. I think we’ve already reported a lot, but we have more! I’m so excited, just thinking about those things. Of course this time, we will introduce a topic which may urge you to come to IOFT soon.

Then, let us begin!


Interviewees:
His eyewear brings out the beauty of women maximally just like using magic.
Mr. Akihito Kawakami, Designer, FLEYE by AKITTO

and

The person who perused the comfortableness of wearing eyewear.
Mr. Tetsuo Mikame, Managing Director, Throw Co., Ltd.

Interviewer: Haruka, International PR, IOFT Show Management

Haruka:
First, could you introduce us “FLEYE by AKITTO” to the readers?

Mr. Kawakami (FLEYE by AKITTO):

[Mr.Kawakami]
 This brand originally comes from a Danish brand “FLEYE”. In 2002, the three CEOs, Annette, Hanna and Lars founded the brand and the brand was named after an abbreviation of “Fine Looking Eye”. Its concept is light, happy and enjoyable eyewear which makes us cheerful. We release happy collections for wearers.
I myself have worked at retail shop handling FLEYE brand before. I have kept company with members of FLEYE since before they founded the brand, namely, for more than 13 years. After that, I joined as a sales staff as well as designer of another brand “FLEYE by AKITTO “ in 2008.

The concept of FLEYE by AKITTO is being particular about details and using lovely motif just like handmade work. The design is like a delicate and brilliant accessory decorated with colorful Swarovski stones or cloisonné and it makes mature women look beautiful and cute.

Haruka:
The frames of AKITTO seem to be produced by research on faces of Asian, especially Japanese women and their preference. I haven’t seen such a coloring or decoration which makes Asian skin color look attractive. By the way, I think you have worked by yourself as FLEYE by AKITTO until now. Why did you decide to collaborate with Mr. Mikame? 

Mr. Kawakami:
In fact, I met Mr.Mikame three times by chance and at the third time, he asked me to tea. That was the first time to talk with him. After that, I sometimes got in touch with him and I asked him lots of things, since he is an expert I respect for long time and I wanted to absorb information about the way of making eyewear and conducting business in eyewear industry, etc. as much as possible.

At that time, I didn’t take priority over comfortableness of wearing eyewear, although I think it’s better if people can feel comfortable in wearing it. I valued rather visual aspect like how eyewear looks lovely. As in shoes, that is high heels which make women’s legs beautiful, as it’s hard to walk with them.

However, after meeting and talking with him about the comfortableness of wearing eyewear, I began to think that it’s rude for retail shops as well as consumers to not improve it. But I didn’t have enough knowledge. I didn’t even know what kind of β titaniums there are. What’s more, I thought it’s usual to commit the detailed manufacturing method or choices of materials to factory staffs.

Mr. Mikame:
[Mr. Mikame]
I discussed with Mr. Kawakami and we came to the conclusion that we can produce better eyewear with sufficient knowledge equivalent to those of factory staffs, as we could work hard together by sharing the knowledge. As you know, he is producing eyewear which makes women look beautiful. But I think he could provide more ranges in his taste. So I told him that it might be important to value comfortableness of wearing eyewear so that his brand could keep active in the future.
During the conversation, we exchanged ideas a lot each other and naturally we decided to collaborate. LoL.

The finished eyewear is not so outstanding. People might say “what is the characteristic of Mikame‘s Collaboration?”. Because I just put a plate in it.

Mr. Kawakami:
Right, some people might say something like “Hmm….I see”. But we made various tricks and contrivances in the process of completing the model and we couldn’t complete it without Mr. Mikame’s knowledge.

Mr. Mikame:
Well, I made a lot of failures in producing eyewear up to the present.


Mr. Kawakami:
For me, it’s so valuable experience to hear the story of failures. However, after we made a decision to collaborate, I got into slump which I’ve never experienced when I tried to design a collaboration model.
I asked him about it, then, he said, “You can make whatever model you want! It’s too early to design like me.” LOL. After that, I changed my mind and I began to think it would be nice if I could make a model as I want and I could introduce a part of an element of Mr. Mikame in my designed model.

Mr. Mikame:
My theme was how I could change something in the model Mr. Kawakami designed without changing AKITTO’s design and feeling that something wrong with it.


Haruka:
I see. I really want to see the completed model soon!
By the way, what kind of shop do you want your collaboration model to be handled?

Mr Kawakami.
For people who are looking for eccentric or novel eyewear, AKITTO may not fit. That is to say, I intended to produce eyewear which makes women beautiful and attractive, not eccentric.
We’d like buyers from retail shops to see the eyewear from the stand point of what beauty is.
As a result, if you think “But, I don’t like the taste of AKITTO!” it’s no problem.

Now, some shops may consider how they can survive in the eyewear market and collect only novel eyewear which other shops don’t handle. I think, however, it is no sense, since the shops seem to be just very strange.

I would like people just to think purely how you can make wearers look beautiful. If you think in such a way and you can feel that AKKITO eyewear will fit your shopconcept well, I really want to start business with you.

I will never say, “My eyewear is beautiful, so please buy it”. If YOU think my eyewear is beautiful and want to buy it, it’s pleasure to sell my eyewear to you!

Haruka:
I see. Since eyewear takes the most part of our faces, people, especially women, don’t feel like buying it just because they are praised “it’s so rare!” or “it’s quite new!” We just like to look beautiful or cute.
  
Mr. Kawakami:
Honestly, we could produce a good eyewear this time. The eyewear is accepted by the wearer who use my brand’s eyewear regularly and also it will be comfortable to wear. Besides, we didn’t make a fun in producing it. So I think it’s really good eyewear. On the other hand, I keep my design and decoration in it. Despite I collaborate with Mr. Mikame, it’s not just like the eyewear he designs. I’m sure you will like it!

Haruka:
Thank you very much, Mr. Kawakami and Mr. Mikame!
I’m completely satisfied to hear your story. Haven’t you made a sample yet, have you?
I can’t wait to see it!


[Editor’s Note]
This time, we featured two designers, Mr. Kawakami from FLEYE by AKITTO whose eyewear is famous for the good design making women look more beautiful and Mr. Mikame who produces ultimately comfortable eyewear. We’ve heard their collaborated eyewear will be presented at IOFT and interviewed them. Both of them have a same mind to make a “good eyewear”, but their definition what is the good eyewear is totally different. I think that’s why two essences are combined well and the better eyewear could be produced. I understand that the eyewear we usually use unintentionally is made up of lots of experiences and knowledge of designers and passions for eyewear. The interview gave me a glimpse of the various untold dramas in producing a pair of glasses. That’ was an awesome moment!

*IOFT2011 is NOT open to general public. Those under 18 years old are not allowed to enter the show.

Written & edited by Haruka, International PR, IOFT Show Management 


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Tuesday 4 October 2011

[Vol.14] The Voices from Overseas Exhibitors –Korean Pavilion & Taiwanese Pavilion-

As Asian buyers visiting IOFT were featured last time, this time, we’ll introduce Asian exhibitors, especially Pavilions inside IOFT.

From newly launched kid’s eyewear, accessories to contact lenses. Stylish manufactures handling these various products with high quality will exhibit.

-Korean Pavilion-
Interviewee:
Mr. Jinyoung Son, CEO, Korea Optical Industry Support Center, The Organizer of Korean Pavilion


OEM Services with high technology, lens cleaners and accessories. Variety of eyewear related products will be exhibited.
-Taiwanese Pavilion-
Interviewee: Mr. Joey Lian, General Secretary, Taiwan Spectacles Industry Association

First, let’s us introduce Mr. Son of the organizer of Korean Pavilion.

Interviewer: Haruka, International PR, IOFT Show Management.

Haruka(IOFT):
From this year, Korean Pavilion is newly launched at IOFT.
Could you please tell us why you decided to launch Korean Pavilion at IOFT?

Mr.Jinyoung Son, Korea Optical Industry Support Center:
Well, in recent years, Korean products are getting highly in demand in Japan year by year. Also, we thought exhibiting at IOFT is the best way for Korean manufactures to develop Japanese market and that’s why we made a decision to launch Korean Pavilion this time.

Haruka:
Korean products are surely getting more stylish, I think. Do you know how much share do Korean products have in Japanese market?

Mr. Son:
According to the statistic data of Korea International Trade Association, total export performance of eyewear frame exported to Japan from January to July 2011 increased 127.4 % compared with year-before period. Also in sunglass field, the percentage of the total export performance increased 155.7% compared with year-before period.

Haruka:
I’m amazed by the rate at which the markets grow. So, have you received numbers of inquiries from Japan, haven’t you?

Mr. Son:
Yes, we did. The more Japanese people interested in Korean products, the more Korean manufactures can get connection with Japanese eyewear shops. Recently, we are receiving inquiries from Japanese companies which want to do business matching with Korean manufactures handling TR, metal and sports sunglasses. This is also one of the reason that we will exhibit as a pavilion to develop eyewear business with Japanese buyers more actively.

Haruka:
I see. I heard that eleven companies in total will exhibit inside Korean pavilion this time.
Could you kindly introduce each of these companies?

Mr. Son:
Sure! First, I’ll introduce nine exhibitors which handle frames.
- DA WOO OPTICAL INDUSTRY
- EYE BELL OPTICAL CO., Brand Name: Angsi, eye#, Basset
- ILSUK OPTICAL CO.,LTD
- WORLD TREND CO.,LTD, Brand Name: FRANK CUSTOMCRISPINFRANK      
  KIDSEPILOGUE
- CONABI OPTICAL, Brand Name: CONABI
- Shinhwa International Co.,Ltd, Brand Name: CAPULET, Public Space 1
- NEOSTAR INC, Brand Name: HAMMER
- KOREA COLOR CO., Brand Name: VINTAGE 1977, CCR
- HWASUNG OPTICAL CO, Brand Name: Click, Beta Plastic


What’s more, a company handling contact lenses M.I Contact Co., Ltd and a company handling lens cleaner made of superfine fibers KYCLOTHCO.,LTD., Brand Name: EYECLEAN, CLEANPIX will exhibit.
[EYE BELL OPTICAL CO.]
[HWASUNG OPTICAL CO]
[WORLD TREND CO.,LTD]
Haruka:
Many of exhibitors have their original brands, don’t they? As more and more design eyewear products are lately made in Korea, we should pay attention to the Korean eyewear, too.


Mr. Son:
Please come to our booth at IOFT and see our products! Korean eyewear industry has made an effort in product development for a long time and as a result, it succeeded to adjust to price-sensitive American market and European & Japanese market where quality and design are valued. We feel proud that this is a result of our untiring effort to develop high value added product. We will focus on technological development, design and making high-grade product and continuously release products suitable to the latest trend of eyewear market.
Also, we are very pleased to exhibit at IOFT 2011 as Korean pavilion. As an organizer, we’d like to offer opportunity to develop Japanese market to Korean exhibitors and also opportunity to meet the Korean products with high quality to Japanese buyers. We hope both of them will be satisfied with the show.

Please contact us if you want to make an appointment with us during the show.
(Korean/Japanese)

KOISC(Korea Optical Industry Support Center)
Tel: +82-53-350-7841
Fax:+82-53-353-7812
Email: yukism5177@yahoo.co.jp

Haruka:
We also hope lots of visitors will see and touch Korean eyewear directly.
Thank you very much, Mr. Son.

Then, we’ll introduce Taiwanese pavilion.

Haruka:
Following last year, Taiwanese pavilion will be exhibited. We look forward to seeing the pavilion.
Then, could you tell us the reason to establish Taiwanese pavilion?

Mr. Joey Lian, Taiwan Spectacles Industry Association:
Since all of Japanese products have high quality, we think Japanese market is a special market where we can’t easily enter. Recently, Taiwanese eyewear products finally caught up with world level in design, quality and price. Besides, Japanese manufactures handling lots of world famous brands are laying parts from Taiwanese related companies.

Haruka:
Taiwanese manufactures is rapidly extending their business to the world.
We have to keep an eye on the tendency of Taiwanese eyewear industry.

Mr. Lian:
Yes we should. It would be nice if we could offer opportunity for lots of buyers such as eyewear shops, agents, importer and exporter to meet Taiwanese companies at IOFT.

Haruka:
Many enthusiastic buyers will come to IOFT, so please appeal Taiwanese companies to them in various ways as much as you wish.

Mr. Lian:
Thank you! You might get the impression that Taiwanese companies provide mainly OEM services, however, this time, companies producing their original brands will also exhibit at IOFT. Let me introduce each of them.

-EAKAU INTERNATIONAL OPTICAL-ELECTRONIC CO., LTDPicture Frame)
-INNOVA VISION INC.Contact Lenses & Solutions
-VICTORY EYEWEAR CO., LTD.Sports glasses, Kids glasses)
-Taiwan Koda Optical Co., Ltd. (Glasses, Lens)
-MILLION HU CORPORATION
(Revlon optical frame, Filos optical frame, Scooby-Doo optical frame)
-CONTOUR OPTIK INC. (Reading glasses)

Six companies as above will exhibit, handling not only frames but also contact lenses, eyewear related products and kids frames. We hope you’ll like them!

[CONTOUR OPTIK]


[TAIWAN KODA OPTICAL]

[VICTORY EYEWEAR]

Haruka:
They will release original brands with great technology improved by OEM. We’re so excited to see them. How can we make an appointment with you during the show?

Mr. Lian:
Please contact me as follows.
Mr. Joey Lian
Taiwan Spectacles Industry Association
TEL: 886-2-25057583
FAX: 886-2-25070260
TSIA.TSIA@MSA.HINET.NET
 

We’re also proud of sport glasses and reading glasses as Taiwanese products. Please come to Taiwanese pavilion during the show. We are waiting for your visit.

Haruka:
Thank you Mr. Lian! The show is only two weeks away. Do your best on your preparation!

[Editor’s Note]
This time, we featured Korean and Taiwanese Pavilion from some of overseas pavilions. Nowadays, Asian products have developed remarkably not only in technology but also in quality and design. At IOFT, such Asian companies will exhibit. You will be excited about the European/American designs and very impressed with Japanese high technologies. Also your heart will pounded with expectation to see new Asian eyewear. I’m sure you could have such great experiences at IOFT. There are lots of eyewear products you can see only three days during the show.
So, don’t miss the show!

*IOFT2011 is NOT open to general public. Those under 18 years old are not   
 allowed to enter the show.


written & edited by Haruka, International PR, IOFT Show Management

● EOY 2012 Official HP >>>CLICK HERE
● Be our FAN on Facebook Fanpage! >>> CLICK HERE
● Follow us on Twitter! >>> CLICK HERE
● IOFT2011 Official HP>>> CLICK HERE


● Information Request on Exhibiting IOFT 2011>>> CLICK HERE
● Invitation Ticket Request for IOFT 2011 >>> CLICK HERE