Industry News
Bulgari Chooses Thélios as New Partner for Eyewear Collections
Bulgari, the renowned luxury brand, has announced its collaboration with Thélios, the eyewear manufacturer owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Starting in January 2024, Thélios will take over the design, manufacturing, and distribution of Bulgari's eyewear collections, replacing EssilorLuxottica, the former licensee that has been associated with the Roman jewelry house since 1996.
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari, expressed his confidence in the partnership, stating, "Bulgari and Thélios share the same commitment to excellence, showcasing exceptional Italian craftsmanship to the world. We believe this collaboration will elevate and strengthen Bulgari's eyewear segment, perfectly complementing our iconic jewelry collections."
The initial release under this new agreement is scheduled for the spring of 2024, marking the debut of Bulgari's eyewear collection.
Alessandro Zanardo, CEO of Thélios, described Bulgari as "the epitome of Italian luxury" and emphasized their shared goal of capturing the essence of Bulgari's brand DNA through innovative eyewear designs. Zanardo took on the role of CEO in February 2022, succeeding Giovanni Zoppas and bringing his expertise from the Luxottica Group.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired full control of Thélios in 2021 by purchasing Marcolin's 49 percent stake, further solidifying its presence in the eyewear industry. As a result, Thélios became the exclusive producer for a range of prestigious brands including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Fred, Berluti, Rimowa, and the most recent addition, Givenchy.
Thélios, established in 2018 as a joint venture between LVMH and Marcolin, is expected to gradually expand its eyewear production to cover most, if not all, brands under the LVMH umbrella. Additionally, Thélios partly produces eyewear for Louis Vuitton, which is exclusively available in their boutiques.
