Quiksilver S/S 22 Sunglasses Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Sunglasses S/S 22 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Quiksilver
Interviewee: JP Bonnemason, Global Eyewear Product Manager

How is the current situation of the Sunglasses market?
We hope that next year will be more positive for the sunglasses market. The pandemic situation should be better in Europe with the vaccine then we hope that people would be allowed to travel and to fully enjoy outdoor activities everywhere. This could improve the sunnies business which was still slow this year with most of the winter resorts closed and still many regions under lockdown this last spring….

What are the the key trends in the Sunglass segment next spring/summer 2022?
Shield remains the key trend for next year, we released a new performance shield called SLASH linked to our different universes: snow, outdoor, water, lifestyle. Each universe will focus on specialized technologies:

Snow: HD lenses + antifog+ blue blocker+ hydro/oleophobic treatments
Water: Polarized with X’trem hydoilo phobic treatment
All terrain: Photochromic from cat. 2 to 3
Lifestyle: Trendy colors combo

What shapes are most popular for frames and what major new trends can we expect here?
Definitely shields & visors: Quiksilver SLASH will be our most marketed style for 2022, But rounded profile remains important (timeless and cross-market appeal), Retro square thick acetate frames are also important.

What materials are you using for your frames in SS22?
Lifestyle frames: Actetate & metal = premium materials and handmade
Performance: TR90 with rubber = light weight, flexible, resistant

What colour range and patterns are you using for your frames? What shades and tints are we going to see in the lenses?
We collaborate with ZEISS lenses; In the lifestyle collection we use only 3 perennial tints: grey, brown & green. In the performance range we focus on flash red, multilayer purple, flash blue, flash green and flash yellow lenses

What lens technologies are you working with? Can we expect any new innovations?
We propose now with the SLASH the best lens for snowboarding combining all the requested features for better split boarding or shredding sessions:

-Xtrem antifog

-Hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments

-High-definition lens to improve the contrast on snow

-Flash lenses for a better eyes comfort and style

-Photochromic from 2 to 3 to adapt the lens quickly to the light conditions

How are you segmenting your collection and what are the main price points in each segment?
4 segments in the Quiksilver collection:
–Lifestyle segment includes acetate or metal frames with ZEISS lenses. 4 trendy shapes which include focus on crystal acetate (clear/honey and smoke grey), tortoise camo and shiny black.79€ non polarized and 89€ polarized

–Snow segment with glacier frames in metal or plastic. New project on a special tech shield (hybrid of goggle/sunnies) SLASH with many tech feature to improve a daily use of sunnies in all conditions for snowboarding (best anti-fog, HD lens, ventilate holes, hydro and oleo phobic treatments removable top bar with foam for the cold and snow days…) from 109€ to 149€

–Water segment with floatable frames with Zeiss polarized lenses, sporty polarized with Zeiss lenses from 79€ to 129€

–Youth with colors, flash and multilayer Zeiss lenses at 49€

If you do prescription glasses: What are the main trends here?
As for the sunnies category we see two main trends:
Vintage metal inspiration with rounded, octagonal, squared eye shapes. Really thin plastic frames with crystal colors and performance temples made with grilamid mixed to rubber

Please outline 3 of your key products:
SLASH EQYEY03159-XBBP
This is the must have for 2022. Vintage and trendy shape inspiration but with all the requested technical features to have the best comfort and functions for snowboarding, cycling, chilling.Price 119€

SLASH+ EQYEY03158- XKKR
The signature series of Austen Sweetin, American pro snowboarder. Vintage and trendy shape inspiration but with all the requested technical features to have the best comfort and functions for snowboarding. Made in Italy: cylindrical lens, adjustable rubber ear tips and nose pads, ventilated lens, removable inside top bar, hydro and oleophobic treatments, high-definition lens, and silicon retainer. Price 129€

ELIMINATOR+ POLARIZED EQYEY03149-XCGP
The best QUIKSILVER crossover shape to wear in all conditions. You can easily keep or remove this rubber cap to wear this frame as such technical frame for snowboarding, cruising at the beach all day long or for an everyday use in the city. Polarized lenses. Price 109€