Industry News
Safilo Announce Eyewear Licence Agreement with Etro and Kate Spade New York
Safilo Group and American lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York, announce the early renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement for the exclusive design, manufacturing and distribution of Kate Spade New York branded optical frames, readers and sunglasses for women as well as optical frames for girls. Safilo Group has held the license since 2000.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the early renewal of the Kate Spade New York eyewear license which gives continuity to the longstanding and successful 23-year collaboration and partnership between Safilo and Kate Spade New York,” says Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “Kate Spade New York is an industry-leading lifestyle brand with a successful eyewear story, which is today fully embedded in Safilo’s portfolio strategy. Together, we have achieved outstanding results built around shared business values and a fruitful collaboration. We are now extending the journey further, with the goal to continue growing this award-winning brand in its North American core market and realizing its potential in other strategic regions,” added Trocchia.
“We are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with Safilo for Kate Spade New York eyewear,” says Liz Fraser, CEO and Brand President of Kate Spade New York. “As a brand, we work to deliver products that help people around the world express their unique sense of style and spark joy. By renewing our Safilo partnership, given their expertise in the eyewear market, we look forward to continuing to provide our customers with exciting and innovative eyewear choices.”
In other news, Etro and Safilo Group announce a ten-year global and exclusive licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of Etro branded eyewear collections. Etro - the historic Italian fashion company, where research and innovation are combined with style and creativity under the creative direction of Marco De Vincenzo - establish a partnership with Safilo Group, one of the eyewear industry’s key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets.
“The partnership with a leading company like Safilo represents a further step in the expansion of Etro’s offer to the market, making it increasingly complete and broad. The Eyewear segment will join the Ready-to-Wear, Home, Fragrance and Etro Kids collection that has been recently announced” declared Fabrizio Cardinali, Etro’s CEO. “I have always considered Etro a 360° lifestyle brand and I’m very pleased to achieve this new milestone to complete a global and integrated vision dedicated to different product categories and consumer types.”
“We are very proud to start this new collaboration with a Company that represents fashion and textile excellence. Our creative team is in harmony with Marco De Vincenzo, with whom we are working to create a distinctive collection, able to enhance the brand potential in the eyewear category to the fullest”, says Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “Etro is a luxury brand that boasts a rich history in reinterpreting beauty standards and it is recognized for its iconic patterns. Furthermore, Etro is fully integrated into our portfolio strengthening our offer”.
The first collection, both sunglasses and optical, will be presented for the Spring-Summer 2024 season.
