Silhouette's 40 years
Silhouette International Schmied AG, the Austrian company based in Linz, is celebrating 40 years of success. Founded in 1964 by Arnold and Anneliese Schmied, Silhouette immediately established itself as company that could propose a new concept in vision eyewear: no longer simply a prescription tool for the sight, but an integral part of the look, a genuine fashion accessory.
It is a philosophy that the company has upheld from its first years in business and which Silhouette has continued throughout its 40 years: not only does it continuously monitor the latest fashion trends (as far as design, materials and colors are concerned) but, and above all, it has the ability to combine trendy looks with undeniable quality.
From the materials used to make the frames (the revolutionary titanium b rich for Titan Minimal Art, and the exclusive Spx for Spx modern Art and Minimal X, both exclusive patents of the Austrian brand) to lenses that offer total protection from UVA, B and C rays; to technical devices such as the absence of screws and hinges and all designed to guarantee eyewear with incredibly light, totally resistant and flexible frames that are perfectly stable and ensure perfect vision.
The ability to combine 'fashion and technology' has led to the company's success on the international market; 1,700 employees worldwide, 12 subsidiaries, group billings in 2003 of 230 million euros (+15% compared to the previous financial year) from over 90 countries, 95% of which comes from exports.
Today the company is still securely in the hands of the founding Schmied family and, with its three produced and distributed Silhouette brands (own brand), Adidas eyewear and Daniel Swarovski Paris crystal eyewear (both licensed), it is able to meet all the market's needs. From the highly innovative fashion eyewear proposed by Silhouette, to the technical and sport Adidas eyewear, and the extreme luxury of the Daniel Swarovski Paris crystal eyewear.
Forty years of continuous innovation is an important achievement that Silhouette has decided to celebrate with sunglasses in a limited edition: the Spx modern art Special Edition; five models characterized by a color variant created specifically to commemorate its fortieth birthday: frames and lenses in hematite black.
The various Spx modern art Special Edition proposals are representative of the Silhouette story: from the 'Futura' model, which picks up the design of glasses produced in the Seventies and which are making a great comeback today thanks to a 'return to the past' by all fashion sectors as well as others, to the 3175 model, which can be described as 'Jackie O.', the models 3174, 4049 and 4050 designed in 2004 and featuring smaller sizes for a less retro look which is liked by those who prefer shapes that are 100% modern. Past and present side by side in frames and lenses that are made 'brilliant' by shades of silver animating a black background.
