SYDNEY: Akira Isogawa will launch his first eyewear range in mid-2011 on the back of sales success in his bridal and accessories categories.
The Japanese-born, Sydney-based designer revealed he has collaborated with Melbourne-based company Blur Optics on four optical styles and four sunglass designs.
Materials used in the range include Japanese-made titanium and a mock tortoiseshell.
“I wear optical glasses myself and I do give attention to detail when it comes to selection of my own optical wear, so quality is very important to me,” Isogawa said.
The range will be stocked in the four Akira boutiques nationally and will retail from approximately $400. The designer indicated he is also pursuing stockist opportunities with eyewear retailers.
The new product range comes on the back of a growth in sales in Isogawa's bridal and accessories collections. His department store stockist, David Jones, commenced carrying the designer's wraps and shawls for summer 2010/11.
“The wraps should enhance our ready-to-wear range and it all makes sense to have also the accessories available there,” Isogawa said. “We're very excited about how well received they are.”
David Jones is also rolling out a capsule footwear collection designed by Isogawa in collaboration with lifestyle brand Bloch. Half a dozen women's styles will hit stores in early 2011 and will retail from $275.
On the bridal front, Isogawa will travel to London in October 2011 for a trunk show with Browns boutique. It will be the second time the designer has taken part in the Browns Bridal consumer event, following on from a successful debut in October 2010. Of the 17 styles the designer took over in 2010, Isogawa now has eight in production.
Also scheduled for the international market is Isogawa's debut of the next autumn/winter collection. To be hosted in Paris in March 2011, the collection will feature transeasonal designs in order to capitalise on sales opportunities in the Australian market also.
“Nowadays, the Australian market is vital,” he said. “[The] autumn/winter range for Paris will be a combination of lightweight dresses which I think is applicable for the Australian market – Australia has been really strong.”
Erin O'Loughlin