MORGAN HILL, Calif., May 5, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fox Riders Company (Fox) today announced the launch of its inaugural line of sunglasses, part of a strategic alliance with Oakley, Inc. 'The Duncan,' 'The Dean' and 'The Wade' are new eyewear styles that combine the spirit of Fox with the patented technology and premium craftsmanship of Oakley. In keeping with the exclusive four-year agreement between the two companies, Oakley is responsible for the manufacture, marketing and worldwide distribution of the eyewear inventions.
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"Fox always strives to create exciting products that offer the market something new," said Fox Creative Officer Pete Fox. "Oakley is synonymous with quality and performance, and our collaboration has achieved eyewear styles that are as innovative as they are original. We couldn't be more proud to match our icon with three of the most definitive frames you'll see today," Fox concluded.
"Capturing the essence of Fox was no simple task," said Oakley President Colin Baden. "Oakley has earned more than 500 patents for the science behind its diversified range of performance products, but we pride ourselves just as much on the art that conveys these technologies to the public. Fox is renowned in action sports, and these new eyewear inventions had to convey the passion behind the brand. Our design team came up with true originals that are, most importantly, true to the Fox heritage."
Aggressive styling makes The Duncan a unisex frame of stout dimensions, and Oakley's O Matter(r) frame material ensures all-day comfort. Extended frame wrap (the lateral curvature of lenses around the sides of the head) blends the architecture into wide temples that are accented with metal Fox logos. Oakley's Polaric Ellipsoid lens geometry enhances peripheral and downward vision. The Duncan is available in Tortoise with Bronze lens color ($90), Polished Black with Grey lens color ($90), and White with Black Gradient lenses ($100).
The Dean is rendered with wide temples like The Duncan, but the lens shape is narrower along the vertical dimension. The Dean also takes advantage of Polaric Ellipsoid lens geometry for extended peripheral vision. Stress-resistant O Matter(r) frame material maintains comfort, and metal icons with Fox logos accent the unique design. The Dean is available in Polished Black with Grey lens color ($90), Amber with Bronze lens color ($90), Crystal Black with Black Iridium(r) lenses ($100), and Polished Black with Grey Polarized lenses ($170).
Durable and lightweight C-5(tm) alloy is used to create the semi-rimless architecture of The Wade. Its open-edge design offers an unobstructed field of downward vision. Custom temple tips maintain a comfortable, secure fit. The wrapped and raked-back lens contours extend peripheral and downward view, a benefit of Oakley's Polaric Ellipsoid lens geometry. Fox logos on the temples define a true eyewear original. The Wade is available in Black Chrome with Grey lens color ($120), Olive Chrome with Bronze lens color ($120), Polished Chrome with Black Gradient lenses ($130), and Black Chrome with Grey Polarized lenses ($200).
All three eyewear styles feature various patented XYZ Optics(r) technologies to maximize visual clarity at all angles of vision while minimizing distortion, even at the lens periphery. Oakley's proprietary, optically pure Plutonite(r) lens material meets all ANSI Z80.3 requirements for impact protection. Plutonite also filters out 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light.
Fox Eyewear will be available globally through motocross, surf, skate and snow retail stores as well as limited sunglass specialty locations operated by Oakley's Iacon subsidiary. More styles are slated for release as part of the ongoing collaboration between Fox and Oakley, including motocross and snowboard goggles.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley: a world brand, driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading, premium sunglasses, the company also offers an expanding line of premium performance apparel and accessories, prescription eyewear, footwear, electronics and watches to consumers in more than 100 countries. Trailing-12-month net sales through March 31, 2005 totaled $598.6 million and generated net income of $44.7 million. Oakley, Inc. press releases, SEC filings and the company's annual report are available at www.oakley.com
About Fox Riders Company
Headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA, with an office in Newport Beach, CA, Fox has been a global leader in performance action sports apparel since 1974. For three decades, the Fox Head logo has been recognized as a brand synonymous with quality and innovation making Fox the world's leading apparel brand in the motocross industry. The company that helped put motocross on the map also designs, produces and distributes clothing, accessories and related products to more than 50 countries to meet the growing demands of the action sports lifestyle. For more information, please go to the company's Web site at www.foxeyewear.com
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