NEWS
Former U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate will appear at Macy's in the Riverchase Galleria in Miami, Fla., on Tuesday, May 15, to promote the spring line of Champions Tour Apparel.
Champ reports that the respective winners of The Players Championship and the Michelob Ultra Open wore its spikes en route to winning. The winner of The Players Championship wore the Cermec spikes, while the Michelob Ultra Open champion wore the Stinger.
FEATURE
Fashion with a health twist
By Lea Hart
GPA Fashion Correspondent
When Lynn Rose founded Soleil Chic several years ago, the focus was not just about fashion, but rather health.
Rose lost her husband to skin cancer 10 years ago, and several years after that, had some spots removed from her own face. Her doctor told her not to go out in the sun, but with a dog that needed walking, she knew that wasn't an option. So sun protection was the best option.
"Skin cancer is preventable, and all you need to do is protect yourself," she said.
Realizing sunscreen is only as good as how often its applied -- ideally it should be applied every two hours -- Rose looked at other options, which led her to what has now become her own business.
Today, California-based Soleil Chic sells UV-protected umbrellas and hats designed to serve as protection against the sun. Soleil Chic also offers handbags and totes that color-coordinate with the umbrellas as well.
Though Rose didn't initially intend her products for the golf course when she launched the umbrella line in 2004, she quickly learned the umbrellas were a popular item among golfers. They are sold in prestigious resorts around the country such as the Fairmont Kea Lani in Hawaii and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Spa in Lake Las Vegas. The umbrellas and hats are about to expand into eight hotels in Las Vegas, including the Mirage and Bellagio.
From the start, she pursued high-end resorts around the country to sell her products. Her very first sale was 50 umbrellas to the Ritz-Carlton Spa in Pasadena, Calif.
"I try to start at the top," she said.
The small, lightweight umbrellas are sold in two sizes and three colors. Both the umbrellas and hats, which were recently launched and come in two solids colors and one multi-colored option, are tested to meet U.S. standards for UV protection. Prices for the umbrellas and hats range from $39 to $49.95.
With regular umbrellas, Rose said consumers don't know what kind of UV protection they are getting. An increased awareness of the dangers of the sun has sent consumers looking for a product that they know will offer protection. Since her umbrellas are tested in a lab, "you know you get UV protection," Rose said.
With each product comes an important message -- protect your skin all year long, even in cloudy or misty weather when UV rays can still come through the clouds.
"You can still enjoy being outside, as long as you protect your skin," Rose said.
While Rose is new to the design business, she says it's in her nature to try new things. She has a background as a screenwriter and musician, and took her first job playing piano before she even knew how to play the piano. Like that job, she's self-taught in her new business.
While the road that brought her to this point included the loss of her husband, Rose said some good can come of it.
"It was a difficult journey, but out of it came benefits for other people," Rose said.
For information on Soleil Chic, go to www.soleilchic.com.
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