(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – Luxury Optical Holdings announces the promotion of Jeff Press to the role of chief creative officer, overseeing product design and creative for Robert Marc NYC, Morgenthal Frederics, and its designer collaborations including Oscar de la Renta and Monse.
“Jeff is never happier than when he’s in a fantastic optical store; it is his primary source of energy. With his exhaustive knowledge of the category and insight as a licensed optician, Jeff brings with him a unique perspective and expertise to the role,” said Timothy Mayhew, CEO of LOH.
“Over the past 20 years, he has been instrumental in building Morgenthal Frederics into a world-class brand and demonstrated tremendous range in designing eyewear collections for brands as diverse as Monse and Oscar de la Renta. He has already begun to apply that same creative spirit to Robert Marc NYC.”
Press began his career at Robert Marc NYC in 1996 before training under Richard Morgenthal, eventually becoming an optician in 2001. As he continued to hone his talent over the years, Press touched nearly every aspect of the business, and saw an opportunity to experiment with natural materials, eventually creating the largest and most successful buffalo horn eyewear collection in the world. His innovative designs and techniques earned him membership to the CFDA in 2015 and have made him a sought-after collaboration partner, not only in the fashion space but with industry leaders in the optical world, including Mykita, Maybach, Matsuda and Chrome Hearts.
With the elevation of Press to chief creative officer, LOH takes another important step to cementing its position as the leading independent eyewear company competing on the basis of opticianry.
With LOH’s commitment to invest in product and creative, Press has already begun to reshape his organization including the development of world-class design and marketing teams. In collaboration with top New York-based creative agencies Some Kinda Love and ForceMAJEURE, Press spearheaded the rebranding of Morgenthal Frederics and Robert Marc NYC respectively, with the former having relaunched last summer and the latter making its debut at Vision Expo East.
“I’m motivated by the opportunity to create products and craft stories that make people feel truly special,” said Press. “I strive to execute ideas that make them feel beautiful, confident and comfortable. Unique eyewear designs can transform a face like nothing else.”
The spring 2019 campaigns for both Morgenthal Frederics and Robert Marc NYC offer a first glimpse into Press’ direction for the brands. Robert Marc NYC’s “New Light” campaign celebrates the brand’s Gotham roots with photography by Arnaud Montagard that plays with the evocative shadows and light of New York City.
For Morgenthal Frederics, Press worked with photographer Chris Chieco to develop “The Expressionists” honoring the creative individuals for whom he designs. Featuring striking imagery of talents as diverse as American Ballet Theatre principal dancer James Whiteside, photographer/filmmaker Warren Elgort, tattoo artist Friday Jones, and astrophysicist Christine Angel McLaren de Riordan, the campaign explores individuals’ very personal relationship with eyewear.