November 17, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nouveau Eyewear Founders Execute Succession Plan

Nouveau founders Evan and Pat Aptaker announced today that Nouveau Eyewear has been sold to a newly formed corporation owned by the company’s current Co-Presidents, Dominick Sblendorio and Marj McGraw, and their partners, SunTx Capital Partners, a Dallas based equity firm.

According to Evan Aptaker, Co-CEO, this transaction has long been in the making. “Our succession plan called for having experienced senior management in place so there would be no disruptions for our associates or our customers when we exited the company,” “Once Dominick and Marj were on board, we knew we had the right executive management to fulfill the goal.” Sblendorio joined Nouveau in 2000 and McGraw was hired in 2002. In 2005 they were made Co-Presidents.

“Evan and I could not have hoped for a more perfect situation as we leave the company. Marj and Dom are clearly the ideal leadership to keep Nouveau on its growth path,” said Pat Aptaker, Co-CEO. She further noted the Co-Presidents have played key roles in staffing, building infrastructure, and in managing the product and financial areas of the company. The pair has been operating the company for the last year as the founders reduced their hours.

McGraw and Sblendorio are optical industry veterans with management experience on both the retail and supplier side. Marj McGraw, Co-President/Chief Global Sourcing Officer, started as a frame sales rep and is best known for her sixteen years at Cole Vision, where she was Vice President of Merchandising for Cole Licensed Brands and Pearle Vision. Dominick Sblendorio, Nouveau’s Co-President/COO, began his optical career at Sterling Vision, and prior to Nouveau, was Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations at Creative Optics.

Sblendorio sees Nouveau’s core values as key to the company’s continued success. “The Aptakers cultivated a culture where associates strive for excellence and go the extra mile to meet the customers’ needs. We feel we have been entrusted with the responsibility to continue that legacy.” Marj McGraw agreed, “Pat and Evan built a strong team at Nouveau and they are as determined as Dominick and I to continue providing the quality and service our customers deserve and have grown to expect. We all see a bright and exciting future.”

Nouveau Eyewear, a Dallas based company, was founded in 1985 in the Aptakers’ garage. Over the years Nouveau has become a high profile player in the optical arena with a portfolio of popular brands—including Geoffrey Beene, Nickelodeon, Van Heusen, Christie Brinkley, Wrangler, Lee Riders, L.A. Gear, and J.G. Hook. The company will continue to operate from the current location in Carrollton, Texas.