Maui Jim Debuts New Luxury Sunglasses Collection

Something exquisite happens when you combine art with excellence. In the case of Maui Jim’s first ultra-luxury sunglasses collection, titled "You Move Me," colorful interpretations of Hawaiian flora and fauna are brought to life by internationally renowned Hawaiian Artist, Charlie Lyon. Lyon’s work was transferred on the finest Italian silk and handcrafted into numbered, limited-edition pairs of sunglasses that let you see the world like you’ve never seen.

Artwork for the collection is based on a vivid painting by Lyon that is evocative of the Maui Jim lifestyle.

“The art was inspired by seeing my familiar Hawaiian environment through new eyes with a newfound level of clarity and vitality,” said Lyon. “In the painting, you see the swirling sea turtles that I spy under my surfboard in the deep-blue sea. I’ve added the butterflies that float outside my studio through the banana trees and tropical flowers. There are Plumeria flowers that fill my studio with a dreamy scent. The Hibiscus flops over my fence and surprises me with flashes of color. That’s what moves me.” 

The sunglasses are made more memorable because the elegantly inspired artwork is combined with Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 lenses that are unrivaled in their ability to cut UV rays and glare while enhancing color to produce clear, brilliant vision. The results are sunglasses that are literally a work of art. 

“At Maui Jim, we work to create an experience,” said Richard Walker, Maui Jim’s director of product development. “This collection harnesses the beauty of Hawaii in a collectible piece of wearable art that captures the spirit of the islands. It is our first collection that includes sunglass designs—no two of which are alike. These sunglasses are an example of our focus on unique, meticulous craftsmanship that merges with our proprietary lens technology so that every moment you spend in your sunglasses is more memorable and brilliant.”

Arriving in stores in October, the collection is anchored by two Crystal/Silk frame shapes—a rounded, oversized frame (Style #280) and a squared-off, slightly retro frame (Style #277)—however, no single Crystal/Silk frames is alike.

Lyon’s painting was lovingly reproduced on the finest Italian silk to bring out the richness of the painting’s colors. The silk was then individually cut and embedded in crystal acetate, giving each Crystal/Silk sunglass its own shimmering, translucent beauty.

Maui Jim’s MauiPure lenses can be found in every frame in the collection. Considered the world’s clearest non-glass lenses, they also are ultra-light and scratch- and impact-resistant for long-wearing comfort. The rounded, oversized Crystal/Silk frame (#H280-50 above) will feature HCL Bronze lenses that enhance vision in any light conditions. The squared-off Crystal/Silk frame (Style #277-50) features Neutral Grey lenses that block the most light in bright sun. 

Very few of each Lyon-signed and numbered Crystal/Silk style will be produced, making each pair a collectible piece of eyewear art. Only 270 pairs of Crystal/Silk Style #280 and 290 pairs of Crystal/Silk Style #277 will be made.

Maui Jim also is producing printed acetate frames of the Lyon painting in three distinctive color variations. Wrapping your view in the luxuriously vibrant world of Hawaii, the printed acetate frames use ultra-high-quality printing techniques to bring out the fresh, true hues of the painting on deep navy, peacock or black backgrounds. Made in the collection’s two shapes, the printed styles come in Silk Print with White Trim & Teal Interior with Neutral Grey lenses (Style #GS280-51), Navy with White Trim and Silk Print Interior with Maui Rose® lenses (Style #RS280-52) and Black with White Trim and Silk Print Interior with Neutral Grey lenses (Style #277-53). Only 500 pairs of each printed acetate style will be manufactured. 

Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 lens technology has received the Seal of Recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV protectant because the technology cuts 99.9 percent of glare and eliminates 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays on both sides of each lens. The lenses are recognized as safe and effective sun protection and are an important part of an effective defense program against skin cancers of the eye and eyelids.  Additionally, only Maui Jim’s technology significantly boosts color, definition and depth perception through the use of three rare earth elements. Style #277 features Maui Jim’s patented bi-gradient mirror system that is darker at the top and bottom of each lens, so the lenses “squint” for the wearer. Style #280 features the company’s MauiGradient lenses that are darker at the top of the lens and gradually get lighter towards the bottom. The lenses use waterproof and oleophobic coatings to shed water and show and repel grease and smudges. 

Key measurements for Style 280 include an eye size of 60 mm; the shortest distance between lenses is 15 mm; temple length is 135 mm; and the glasses have a 6-base curvature. Style 277 is for small to mid-size faces with an eye size of 52 mm; the shortest distance between lenses is 20 mm; temple length is 145 mm; and the glasses have a 6-base curvature. They are available with MauiPassport prescription lenses in ranges from +3.00 to -6.50.