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Bon Ton, eye-wear retailers in North India, has now introduced the Jazz collection. It targets the Indian youth with attractive price-tags and international designs.

Bon Ton, retailers in north India in eyewear products sourced from all over the world, has now introduced their own in-house lifestyle brand, the Jazz Collection.

Targeted at the youth, the collection has been designed keeping in mind Indian requirements, specially the price sensitivities of the market. Hence, while the frames for both sun glasses and spectacles cost between Rs 800 and Rs 3,000, they have international designs and quality, unique colours and technology with UV protection.

"The collection is being manufactured for us in Hong Kong and Korea and the designs and colours are being introduced in the country for the first time," says partner, Sanjeev Madan. While the sunglass collection sports wrap-around designs in shades such as light green, yellow, purple and brown, the spectacles, largely in metal, also have metallic colours. Unusual in the domestic market, the metallic colours come in green, gray, mauve, bronze and gun metal.

Bon Ton already retails an array of international brands in frames, contact lenses, sunglasses and spectacles. Under one roof you can find brands such as Rayban, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Amani, CK, YSL, Vogue, Sergio Tacchini, Emporio Armani and many more. For men, the range includes Calvin Klein, Lagerfield, Police, etc. For women, there is Gucci, Christian Dior, Giani, etc.

However, Madan found that in the mid-segment market, an Indian brand with international quality was needed. But he felt that no manufacturing unit in the country could give the products and quality at the prices that Bon Ton demanded. Hence, he decided to outsource manufacturing, but keep India-specific requirements top of the mind. In fact, the company is on its way to develop another brand, the Polo John Collection, for the over-35 age group.

Bon Ton Opticians were established in 1951 and has had the first mover advantage in introducing eye-care products and technology in the north Indian market. According to the company, it was the first to introduce optical machinery such as projection forcimeters and diamond hand edgers to shape the lenses in India. It was also amongst the first to introduce contact lenses and soft contact lenses in Delhi in 1975.

The company offers an interesting eye-care service that ensures clients' eye check-ups and delivery of their eye products in the comfort of their homes. In fact, the service is free for senior citizens. The company also participates in voluntary services for the underprivileged and has been donating free spectacles to needy institutions.

Along with a new focus on launching its own brand, Bon Ton is ready to spread its wings and open outlets in other metros and towns as well. So, the Jazz collection may well be on its way to your town.

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