Oakley Releases Montefrio Sunglasses: Co-designed with Snow/Skateboarding Pro Shaun White

Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced the release of MONTEFRIO(tm), the latest in the company's exclusive Stretch(r) line of sunglasses. The new eyewear was co-designed with Shaun White, a four-time, gold medal X Games snowboard champion and accomplished professional skateboarder. 
 
"We innovate by listening to the pros. Their input is essential to advancing performance technology," said Oakley President Colin Baden. "Those who challenge the limits of surf, skate, snow and MX are the ones who define the youth culture of action sports. That's why we chose to work with Shaun White, one of the most respected competitors in snowboarding and skateboarding, to develop MONTEFRIO(tm)." 
 
"I came to the company with some ideas and while most companies would have pushed back saying, 'Yeah, thanks... we'll get back to you,' Oakley didn't," said Shaun White. "They wanted to get inside my head and know all my thoughts, not just the performance angle. I wanted these glasses to be as much style as tech and they nailed the design." 
 
The new MONTEFRIO(tm) sunglasses are made of stress-resistant O Matter(r), a durable and lightweight synthetic material. The hybrid hinge design utilizes Oakley's C-5(tm) alloy to further minimize weight blending seamlessly with design cues and features patented XYZ Optics(r), a technology that maximizes visual clarity at all conceivable angles of vision. Oakley's 'three point fit' retains the lenses in precise optical alignment while optimizing comfort by ensuring the frame makes contact with the wearer only at the bridge of the nose and the temples. The Plutonite(r) lenses filter out 100% of all UV light and six-base curvature extends peripheral vision while improving side protection against sun and wind. Additionally, the lenses surpass all ANSI Z80.3 standards for optical performance and the lens/frame combination meets all ANSI Z87.1 standards for impact protection. 
 
Shaun turned professional at age 13 after winning his first contest at one of snowboarding's most prestigious events, The Arctic Challenge. Now 18, Shaun's long list of accomplishments includes four gold medals at the Winter X Games, including winning both Men's Snowboard Slopestyle and SuperPipe competitions at the 2003 games, and the 2003 ESPY award for the Best Action Sports Athlete. His innovative riding combined with his smooth style has consistently allowed Shaun to raise the bar and set new standards for the sport. In addition to snowboarding, Shaun has begun proving himself in the world of skateboarding having recently won his first Skate Vert contest at the Panasonic Open Dew Action Sports Tour stop in Louisville, Ky. 
 
MONTEFRIO(tm) is the fourth in Oakley's Stretch(r) line of sunglasses, joining WARDEN(tm), FATCAT(tm) and RAZOR BLADES(r). Available in limited release, this exclusive line was developed for consumers who want eyewear fashion as unique as their personality. Design features range from vintage nods to aggressive styling, and each frame includes the proven Oakley technologies for clarity, comfort and protection. Sunglasses in the Stretch(r) line are accented with metal logos that sign them as uniquely Oakley. 
 
Oakley's MONTEFRIO(tm) is slated for release in five color combinations, and each one is accented with a unique color on the hinge band feature. A style with gradient lenses has been developed, as well as a Shaun White signature colorway with Black Iridium(r) lens coating to reduce glare and tune light transmission. Distribution for the new design will be through select surf/skate/snow accounts including 800 doors in the United States and 1,500 retail doors globally.
 
Source : communiqué de presse Oakley