New from Alaini Mikli

"For over 30 years, Alain Mikli has been in love with cellulose acetate, a natural material made from cotton and wood. The expertise of the material he has acquired with time enables him to give birth to an infinite combination of patterns and colors," according to Midwest Lens. "For his new Chamarel collection, Alain Mikli chose the checkered pattern. The checkered pattern, heritage of the brand since 1978, is a distinctive sign and a reference to the logo of the brand. Eyewear designer artist Alain Mikli designs squares and colors to create 9 exclusive harmonies." Read more.

More about Luxottica's Purchase of Alain Mikli

The renowned British financial paper The Financial Times reports that "Luxottica has been rapidly pressing ahead with an expansion strategy since August, when its owners– a private family company controlled by Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio – sold €490m worth of shares in order to create additional liquidity. They continue to hold a 62.1 per cent stake. Giorgio Armani, the fashion designer and entrepreneur, also holds a 5 per cent stake in the business." Read more.

Luxottica Acquiring Alain Mikli International

Alain Mikli

Tightening its hold on the luxury eyewear market, Luxottica Group S.p.A. will purchase 100% of the French luxury eyewear company Alain Mikli International, according to an exclusivity agreement. Created in 1978 in Paris, Alain Mikli has always been a synonym of innovative design. With its sophisticated and subtly off-beat style it is one of the most recognizable players in the eyewear market. In 2011, Alain Mikli posted net sales of approximately Euro 60 million.

Examiner Profiles Ophthalmologist, Eyewear Design A. Mikli of Beverly Hills

"Alain Mikli full-service LA Boutique is dedicated to the finest care, craftsmanship and service in eyewear. Alain Mikli is an Ophthalmologist who, when unable to find fashion and function together in eyewear, combined his medical skill and knowledge with superb talent to design frames with a unique hinge. He created fashion conscience glasses that meet function with each and every piece," according to an Examiner post. "Fans of Alain Milki’s eyewear include Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Elton John (who has his own eyewear line) and Samuel Jackson. Alain Mikli described his eyewear on 20/20 as 'Frames to see as well as to be seen.' With his frames you are seen in the very best way. They are hand crafted, custom colored eyewear; a piece of art worn on the face." Read more. See slide show of Alain Mikli's Custom Eeywear.

Sir Elton John's Eyewear at the Golden Globes

Sir Elton John wearing hand-made eyewear by Alain Mikli to the Golden Globes, reports EyeSurf.

Mikli and His Eyewear Help a Children's Hospital

"Last month, Alain Mikli has joined forces with The Art of Elysium to create workshops to create art using his eyewear with children’s hospitals in Los Angeles," notes a post on Eyesurf. "In this partnership with the charity he has made a donation himself, and also had a percentage of sales from his new Beverly Hills boutique donated to the charity as well. The donations support the ongoing efforts of bringing art to seriously ill children." Read more'.

To the Pioneering Spirit of the So-Called First International Eyewear Designer

Alain Mikli

"Alain Mikli, 56, is not just the most famous eyewear designer in the world — he invented the job description." So begins the post on Japan Times. "Mikli was the first person to achieve worldwide success as a designer of nothing else but eyeglasses. He established his own brand in Paris in 1978 and pioneered the idea of wearing frames as accessories. In the early 1980s, Elton John was one of the first celebrities to fall in love with his designs, and soon Mikli's creations won over his competition, with the biggest names in fashion — Claude Montana, Jil Sander, Issey Miyake and Donna Karan." Read more.

JP Gaultier Launches Eyewear Line

Jean Paul Gaultier

"Jean Paul Gaultier has created an eyewear line," according to a YahooNews post. "The designer has collaborated with Alain Mikli on the range, which features 12 pairs of glasses and eight shades. It will go on sale in America in January, but fans are being offered a sneak peak before then. 'If eyewear enthusiasts can’t wait that long, the funky collection will be on display at the Dallas Museum’s exhibit entitled The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, from today,' reports WWD. The pieces will also be on sale at the gift shop in the museum, with prices ranging from $285 to $400." Read more.

Mikli Comes Out with a Folklore Collection

"Alain Mikli’s latest journey into the world of eyewear takes us to a far off place into a wonderful world full of legends and folktales," starts a MidwestLens post. "Inspired by the French comic book, Prince de Sassoun, written and illustrated by Alban Guillemois and Yvon Bertorello, eyewear artist and designer, Alain Mikli, tells the tale of this fantastical journey through his new collection. The tale, based on Armenian folklore, is a story of joy and optimism in the face of doom and gloom." Read more.