La Martina and Allison present eyewear for polo players

At today’s opening of Pitti Uomo in Florence, La Martina and Allison S.p.A. presented the world preview of a special project linked to eyewear for polo and a preview of the sun collection that will be launched at Mido 2012.

“Competicion” is the name of the innovative, technical and competition sunglasses that will be worn by the Italian polo team, who was at the Pitti stand. The eyewear will also protect the eyes of the main players at the international polo tournaments.

“Competicion” is the result of a research and development collaboration that began 8 months ago between the two companies. La Martina recognized that polo players need sunglasses with high levels of protection and performance and, after a lengthy analysis of the sector, it identified Allison as the ideal partner. Allison has long experience in the eyewear sector and, above all, it has specific technical know-how that has been tried and tested with various Zerorh+ products, the brand that is famous throughout the world for its innovation, creativity, high levels of performance and strong sporty appeal.

“We are really enthusiastic about the research cooperation”, explained La Martina Europe managing director Enrico Roselli “because we can draw on La Martina’s experience in the world of polo and translate it into a product with high technological content and performance thanks to Allison’s know-how and expertise. The result is "Competicion" eyewear and its preview at Pitti will be complemented by a refined and prestigious mini sun collection”.

The sunglasses will have NXT Soft shatterproof lenses by Intercast that range from polarized to photochromic to fully meet the many technical needs of professional players. They will have adjustable rubber fins and pads to ensure perfect fit, even under a polo helmet.

“This important collaboration with a global company like La Martina”, said Giorgio Antichi, CEO of Allison S.p.A. “will allow us to offer our customers a product that combines research into materials, shapes and design with the Argentine “tradicion” of La Martina concept”.

At Pitti, “Competicion” will be presented in the colors of Argentina and the six nations taking part in the European championships. The eyewear will be available starting November 2011 for the “Campeonado Argentino de Polo” in Buenos Aires.