FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BONAVISTA OPTICS ANNOUNCES DOWNTON ABBEY® EYEWEAR
Oakwood, OH, USA, May 14, 2020- Bonavista Optics, Inc. (www.bonavistaoptics.com) is pleased to
announce it will design and launch a Downton Abbey– inspired line of eyewear.
“Downton Abbey’s story, music, photography and talent are a feast for the senses”, says Bonnie
Ashley, owner of Bonavista Optics. “This has been an exciting process, bringing some of that art
and ambiance into eyewear. We are presenting an optimum product to the discerning Downton fans and
anyone who loves sophisticated and stylish eyewear”.
Ms. Ashley is designing a wide variety of eyewear, of which there will be two Premiere
Limited-Edition Sunglass models that are being hand-made in London. This will be followed by a
complete line of uniquely elegant sunglasses and an ophthalmic line of exquisite eyewear, along
with further surprises to be announced.
The eyewear will be available first in the USA and Canada, followed by the UK and European region.
“You can look forward to seeing many vintage models with a ‘Downton Abbey’® twist, all made of the
finest quality materials and workmanship. The sunglasses are all ophthalmic quality, meaning you
are also able to have prescription sun or computer lenses made for them if you so choose,”
continued Ms. Ashley.
You will find the licensed sunglasses online at bonavistaoptics.com as well as on Amazon.
Pre-sales will begin May 2020. In addition, the ophthalmic line of eyewear will be showing up
exclusively at participating optical stores or eye doctor’s offices in the USA, Canada, the United
Kingdom and EU within the year.
About Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey aired for six seasons on MASTERPIECE on PBS in the US and reached more than 26
million viewers in its final season, making it the highest-rated PBS drama series of all time. A
Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE co-production, the series was written and created by Julian Fellowes and
executive produced by Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant, Liz Trubridge, and Fellowes. Downton Abbey is
one of the largest UK drama exports of all time, seen in over 250 territories worldwide. With 15
wins and 69 nominations, it is the most nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmys. Also,
the winner of three Golden Globes, a special BAFTA and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, the series
has captured an extensive fan-base worldwide. Downton Abbey the movie was released in 2019 and
became the
highest-grossing domestic film in Focus Features’ history. The movie was a Carnival Films
production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing.
About Carnival Films
Carnival Films is a division of NBCUniversal International Studios and one of the UK’s leading
drama specialists. The company is responsible for the global television phenomenon and movie
sensation Downton Abbey which topped $190m at the box office and set a new opening record for Focus
Features. Carnival’s current slate also includes new drama Belgravia for ITV/EPIX, and the
television adaption of Robert Harris’ novel, The Second Sleep. Other shows produced over
Carnival’s history include Jamestown, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Poirot, Hotel Babylon, Whitechapel and
Dracula, as well as award-winning mini-series such as Traffik, Any Human Heart, The Lost Honour of
Christopher Jefferies and the Hollow Crown anthology. Carnival has received a host of national and
international awards including Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes and BAFTAs, and has been recognized
as the UK’s best production company at both the Bulldog Awards and Broadcast Awards.
About Bonavista Optics
Bonavista Optics, Inc. is an independent eyewear company based in Oakwood, USA and Newbury, UK. Specializing in bespoke eyewear designs, company owner and eyewear designer Bonnie Ashley is also a licensed and certified contact lens/spectacle optician who began working in the optical industry in 1980.
Press Contact:
BJ Ashley
optician1@conciergeoptician1
Dispensing Optics December 2021
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
BONAVISTA OPTICS UNVEILS DOWNTON ABBEY® EYEWEAR
”1912 Downton”
Oakwood, OH, USA, January 25, 2021- Bonavista Optics, Inc. (www.bonavistaoptics.com) is pleased to announce it is designing the licensed Downton Abbey®– inspired line of eyewear frames, sunglasses and optical accessories.
“Downton Abbey’s story, music, photography and talent are a feast for the senses,” says Bonnie Ashley, owner of Bonavista Optics. “This has been an exciting process, bringing some of that art and ambiance into eyewear. We are presenting an optimum product to the discerning Downton fans and anyone who loves sophisticated and stylish sunglasses and frames. You can look forward to seeing many vintage models with a Downton Abbey® twist, all made of the finest quality materials and workmanship.” The colour palette matches that of the series, allowing for rich textures and a variety of vibrant tones. Italian acetate, 18 Kt. Gold and titanium materials are used for both rimmed and rimless models which are reflective of the characters.
Ms. Ashley is designing a wide variety of eyewear and accessories which began with two Premiere Limited-Edition Sunglass models hand-made in London, as well as accessories made in Italy.
Newly Released!
An ophthalmic line of exquisite eyewear is now available. All ophthalmic frames are also offered in a kit version that will include a custom clip on or flip up sunglass and cleaning supplies.
We were pleased to debut the line to excited guests of Vision Expo East in the US. and are very happy to announce we will be presenting “Downton Abbey Eyewear” at a variety of venues including our official launch which will take place at “100 Percent Optical”, ExCel London, 23-25 April 2022.
The eyewear is available in the US, Canada UK and European region.
About Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey aired for six seasons on MASTERPIECE on PBS in the US and reached more than 26 million viewers in its final season, making it the highest-rated PBS drama series of all time. A Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE co-production, the series was written and created by Julian Fellowes and executive produced by Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant, Liz Trubridge, and Fellowes. Downton Abbey is one of the largest UK drama exports of all time, seen in over 250 territories worldwide. With 15 wins and 69 nominations, it is the most nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmys. Also, the winner of three Golden Globes, a special BAFTA and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, the series has captured an extensive fan-base worldwide. Downton Abbey the movie was released in 2019 and became the highest-grossing domestic film in Focus Features’ history. The movie was a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is scheduled to premiere 29 April, 2022 in the UK and in the USA May 20.
About Carnival Films
Carnival Films is a division of NBCUniversal International Studios and one of the UK’s leading drama specialists. The company is responsible for the global television phenomenon and movie sensation
Downton Abbey which topped $190m at the box office and set a new opening record for Focus Features. Carnival’s current slate also includes new drama Belgravia for ITV/EPIX, and the television adaption of Robert Harris’ novel, The Second Sleep. Other shows produced over Carnival’s history include Jamestown, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Poirot, Hotel Babylon, Whitechapel and Dracula, as well as award-winning mini-series such as Traffik, Any Human Heart, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies and the Hollow Crown anthology. Carnival has received a host of national and international awards including Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes and BAFTAs, and has been recognized as the UK’s best production company at both the Bulldog Awards and Broadcast Awards.
About Bonavista Optics
Bonavista Optics, Inc. is an independent eyewear company based in Oakwood, Ohio with a subsidiary office in Newbury, England. Bonavista Boutique specializes in Bespoke Fit and Custom Eyewear Solutions, whilst the parent company focuses on frame design and distribution. Company owner and eyewear designer Bonnie Ashley is a licensed and certified contact lens and spectacle optician who began working in the optical industry in 1980. For more information, visit www.bonavistaoptics.com.
Press Contact:
BJ Ashley
Optician1@conciergeoptician1
Optometry Today 10 Mar 2022
Eyewear: Bonavista Optics
Downton Abbey Eyewear by Bonavista Optics will be making its debut at 100% Optical 2022, showcasing its first collection
Joining 100% Optical for the first time, Bonavista Optics will be launching its Downton Abbey Eyewear by Bonavista Optics internationally.
Speaking to OT about plans for the show, Bonnie J Ashley, president of Bonavista Optics, explained: “In 2021 we were pleased to premier our first two Limited Edition sunglass models, ‘1912 Downton’ and ‘1926 Downton’, along with an eyewear accessory line.
“We are now excited to introduce the first of our Downton Abbey frame collections, reflective of the Crawley family characters. In honour of the 29 April UK Downton Abbey: A New Era release, we will have some additional surprises for you at 100% Optical.”
Bonavista Optics has also been commissioned to design and distribute for additional franchises, Ashley told OT, adding: “Watch for our exciting announcements coming soon.”
Fit and function in design
Ashley: “Eyewear designed by opticians will be a key trend. We know frame function as well as fit and what works on our clients stylistically, so it is a natural progression. Patients and opticians are both looking for better quality and fit in their products. Where the products are made, how they are made, and what they are made from will all be a factor. This combined with the need to be different, to expand our horizons and to stay relevant, is what will drive the successful eye care professional.”