NEW YORK–20/20 Magazine’s Gloria Nicola, senior editor for frames, sunwear and accessories for 26 years, will be retiring from the magazine, effective Oct. 31.
 
Nicola’s work has included covering thousands of new products, viewing almost as many new eyewear and sunwear collections, securing products and accessories for the magazine’s fashion shoots, writing features and interviewing dozens of eyewear, accessory and fashion designers over the years. She has represented 20/20 at innumerable U.S. and international trade shows.
 
Nicola joined Jobson initially as a frames editor for both 20/20 and its sister publication, Vision Monday, in 1987. About a year later, she focused her time on 20/20 and in 1990 was named senior editor. Nicola initially covered all new products coming into the market, from contact lenses to accessories, displays and lenses. Her role evolved to a focus on frames, sunwear and accessories and, in the early ‘90s, she started to complement her coverage within the U.S. with trips to MIDO and Silmo.
 
Nicola received her B.A. in English and then her Master’s in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin. She taught English in high school and then in a junior college for four years before moving east to N.J. She eventually moved into the book publishing arena, working for Random House and Ballentine Books for several years and then at publisher Ziff Davis for 12 years on its hotel and travel directories.
 
Said James Spina, VP/editor-in-chief of 20/20 Magazine, “There is no way to actually measure the impact and contribution Senior Editor Gloria Nicola has had on 20/20 as a magazine, and more importantly as a brand, in her dedicated tenure here. And that impact goes beyond just 20/20. It is a voice of leadership, knowledge and creativity that permeates all of Jobson Optical.”
 
Added Marc Ferrara, CEO, of Jobson’s Information Services Division, “Gloria is truly an icon in our industry. Her contributions to 20/20 and the Jobson Optical Group over the past nearly three decades are legend and immeasurable. We will miss her dearly.”
 
Nicola will be attending Vision Expo West next week, attending 20/20 Magazine’s Hall of Fame honor by the Accessories Council on Friday evening, Sept. 19th in Las Vegas. Tickets are still available for the event, please contact karen@accessoriescouncil.org or 212-947-1135.  She will be finishing up her work next month. Nicola told VMail, “ I will miss so many people and all the creativity I’ve had the opportunity to see and work with.” Her immediate plans are to take some time to travel with her husband, Frank Nicola.