Maui Jim launches sunglass collection by marine artist, Guy Harvey

by Julie Barton, Maui Jim Sunglasses on 21 Mar 2011 Maui Jim Inc. has launched a collection of sunglasses inspired by the artwork of marine wildlife artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey.

Guy Harvey is a world-renowned painter, underwater photographer, diver and marine biologist – a combination of expertise that allows him to capture the beauty of the sea in vivid detail and spectacular color. For the new collection, Maui Jim commissioned four of his works and translated them into the finest wearable art under the sun.

Scenes from Harvey’s most famous paintings are depicted on the frames and inner temples of the collection. The 'Yellowfin' sunglasses feature a tuna hunting mackerel inside of each frame. The 'Grander' shows a marlin breaking the water surface, capturing the thrill of big game fishing. 'Mahi Mahi' depicts a pair of dorado chasing baitfish. The 'Sailfish' style illustrates an iconic Guy Harvey sailfish design on full, wrap around frames. Each pair also features Harvey’s marlin line-art on the outside of each frame.

'Sunglasses should not only allow you to see better, but also help make a statement about your personal style,' said Linda Glassel, vice president of marketing for Maui Jim. 'Our love of the ocean runs deep at Maui Jim; and there’s no one who captures the undersea experience like Guy. Through our glasses, you can see through the water more clearly because our polarized lenses are the best at cutting glare. When you combine these lenses with frames that are literally wearable art, anyone who loves the sea will discover how special these glasses are.'

To support this new partnership with Guy Harvey, Maui Jim will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these sunglasses to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to fund ocean conservation research and educational programs that ensure future generations will benefit from a naturally balanced marine ecosystem.

'I’ve spent years advocating catch-and-release fishing for game fish and the conservation of all marine life,' says Harvey, who is a member of the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame. 'We started the Foundation to help scientists develop new strategies for sensible fisheries management and to help educators create novel instructional programs that stimulate future marine scientists. Having Maui Jim support our cause is amazing because they make some of the best sunglasses to wear on the water and that is where our message of conservation means the most.'

For more information on the collection, visit mauijim.com/guyharvey

About Guy Harvey
Guy Harvey is a world-renowned as a painter, underwater photographer, diver and marine biologist. Harvey, with permission from the Ernest Hemmingway family, made a name for himself by debuting two sets of pen and ink drawings, including a collection titled Santiago's Finest Hour, inspired by the author’s book, The Old Man & the Sea. Since then, Harvey expanded beyond pen and ink to develop an artistic style of painting and photography that captivates fish and ocean lovers. He has released numerous art collections exhibited around the world.

His books are collectors’ items, including the celebrated natural history and illustrated guide book titled, Fishes of the Open Ocean, written by the leading Australian Marine Biologist and world authority on oceanic fishes, Julian Pepperell. Among his many other accomplishments, Harvey’s Portraits from the Deep, a made-for-television fishing series, received a Telly Award.

Much of Harvey’s distinguished work is on a grand scale, having created full-wall murals at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman. Harvey is the recipient of the prestigious Wyland ICON Award, given to those who make a positive impact on the underwater world. For additional information on Harvey, visit guyharveyinc.com.

About Maui Jim, Inc.
Maui Jim began as one man selling sunglasses on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii, back in the early 1980s. As local demand grew for sunglasses that provided advanced protection from the severe glare and UV rays of the Hawaiian sun – without distorting the beautiful colors of the Islands – the company developed proprietary technology – PolarizedPlus®, which was later patented and subsequently enhanced to create the company’s newest technology, PolarizedPlus®2.

Maui Jim was 'born' with an original line of seven sunglass styles. At first, the sunglasses were exclusively sold in Maui, Hawaii. In 1991, the company was purchased by Hester Enterprises, and in 1994, Hester enlisted RLI Vision Corporation of Peoria, Illinois, to be the mainland distributor of Maui Jim Sunglasses for the ophthalmic market. Maui Jim, Inc. was established in December 1996, when Maui Jim Sunglasses acquired RLI Vision. This provided the financial resources and infrastructure to accommodate the phenomenal sales growth of Maui Jim Sunglasses. Today, the company sells more than 70 styles and 200 SKUs and is the fastest growing polarized sunglass maker in the world. For more information on Maui Jim, visit mauijim.com