I'm currently in Miami for the unveiling of Oakley's first pair of high performance sports glasses designed for women. Unlike previous women's sunglasses that were downsized from a men's design and released in a line of "feminine" colors, the new Endure was crafted around the size and shape of the female head and features smaller nose pieces and shorter temple lengths. The final product offers a snug fit that doesn't bounce or shift during high-intensity exercise. Oakley athlete Lolo Jones is endorsing Endure, and I chatted with her on the beach this afternoon. The track and field speedster just won gold in the 60 meter hurdles at the World Indoor Championship in Valencia, Spain. (It took her less than 8 seconds to leap over five hurdles that stood 33 inches high.) Although happy to have a little downtime in the sun, Jones is eager to leave Miami and get back on the track to prepare for her next big event: the U.S. Olympic trials this June.
Already the owner of a silver Olympic medal and numerous international titles, including a gold at this year's X-Games, snowboarding superstar Gretchen Bleiler has also made an appearance here to give the press a preview of her new Oakley snow apparel collection, which will arrive in ski shops this fall. With numerous technical features, including water resistant fabrics and pockets for iPods and goggles, the line is designed for high performance, but it's also appealingly hipster, with a subtle lion logo and details like diagonal zippers and leather tab snaps. As Bleiler proclaimed, "It's super cute."
—Kristin Harrison
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