Optical Prism July 2014 | Page 20

Rene Gerber, Marketing Manager of Eyewear at Bushnell Outdoor Products Canada, knows education is key when it comes to buying the right protective sunglasses for young eyes. So is choice. “Today more than ever parents are aware of the dangers and negative impacts of the natural elements and they want to protect their children. But at the same time they are also aware of the myriad of products in the market and that it is important to do your homework before going out to shop for something as important as sunglasses to protect your child’s eyesight,” Gerber said. She points to two eyewear lines that embrace practical protection and outright playfulness: Cébé Junior and Cébé’s XSF (Extra Small Fit). “In this way Cébé’s XSF not only appeals to the emotional side of a parent, but also the logical and rational side. The fact that Cébé Junior and XSF is distributed through 18 O P T I C A L P R I S M | J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 Centennial Optical, gives this brand a lot of credibility, and parents are more confident when purchasing sunglasses at a store that specializes in sunglasses.”  Noting that children’s sunglass styles are mirroring adult trends, she’s seeing everything from retro looks and big frames for girls, to wrap-around sports frames for boys. But colour helps kids really stand out. It also makes sunglasses more likely to become a daily accessory, which is important in sun protection. “We have a lot of new fun colours. Thus in the Cébé Junior collection you will find a myriad of two-tone colours in fun combinations like pink and orange for girls and blue and green for boys,” Gerber said. She explains that XSF is new to the Cébé line, specifically targeted to the teen market. Cébé Pitchous 55 Retrav