M H Alshaya Co has launched Solaris, a dedicated outlet for high-end designer sunglasses.

On offer are the best models from world-leading brands including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Versace, Rayban, Armani, Dior and Oakley.

Solaris boasts more than 1,000 different styles of sunglasses from glamorous Jackie O style wraparounds to trendy aviators and luxurious diamante decorated styles.

Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Jennifer Lopez are fans of the Solaris range and are often spotted wearing the latest style of sunglasses from the store.

'Launching Solaris brings the highest fashion in eyewear to a market where sunglasses are essential for everyday life. Since Solaris was launched in 1994, it has grown to dominate sunglass retailing in France and Italy and we are aiming to do the same in the Middle East,' said managing director of the Optics Division of M H Alshaya Co Bart Scheffer.

The Solaris Deira City Centre store has 35 sq metres of retail space and over 1,000 sunglasses on display in a bright, relaxed environment where customers can spend time to decide the best product and style for them.

All Solaris stores will be staffed by specially trained sales consultants with expertise in sunglass retailing, optics and after sales service.

Currently in the GCC, Solaris has a standalone store in The Avenues, the largest mall in Kuwait, and shop-in-shop locations within Debenhams stores in the Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai, and Kuwait International Airport.

Future developments will include the opening of a store in Villagio Mall in Qatar in August this year. Overall the brand has over 50 stores, including Paris, Milan, Monaco and St. Tropez.

'As the leading franchisee for world famous retail brands, we have enormous expertise in bringing successful brands to the region. Therefore, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the leading European sunglass retail store to Dubai. We have every confidence Solaris will grow from strength-to-strength supported by the fact that stylish eyewear is important to our customers in this region,' said chairman of M H Alshaya Co Mohammed A Alshaya.Trade Arabia News Service