Kering Eyewear Inks Global Partnership with Valentino
Kering Eyewear and Italian fashion house Valentino have signed a global licensing agreement that will see Kering Eyewear design, develop and distribute Valentino’s sun and optical collections from 2026.
Effective 1 January 2026, the long-term deal marks a significant move for both companies as they seek to strengthen their positions in the luxury eyewear category.
Under the agreement, Kering Eyewear will unveil the first Valentino eyewear line as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The range is scheduled to debut during Valentino’s runway show in Paris on 5 October 2025, before becoming available worldwide from March 2026. Distribution will cover Valentino’s own boutiques, e-commerce platforms, department stores, specialty retailers and optical outlets.
Roberto Vedovotto, Founder, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, commented: “We are honored to welcome Valentino into the Kering Eyewear portfolio, and to have the opportunity to contribute to the brand’s continued success. As a prestigious Maison de Couture, Valentino stands for masterful craftsmanship, exquisite design, and is a symbol of a one-of-a-kind style. We are therefore committed to developing its sunglasses and frames collections in line with its vision by leveraging Kering Eyewear’s expertise in high-end luxury eyewear and Valentino’s iconic codes, unique heritage, and savoir-faire.”
Riccardo Bellini, Chief Executive Officer of Valentino, commented: “We are delighted to announce this strategically important partnership with Kering Eyewear. Marrying Maison Valentino's matchless creativity and iconic style with Kering Eyewear's unrivalled knowhow in luxury eyewear manufacturing and distribution, we will work together to further elevate the Valentino Eyewear experience. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to AKN Group for the collaboration and the successful development of our eyewear business over the past years. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we now embark on this new chapter.”
Kering Eyewear, which manages eyewear categories for a portfolio of high-end brands including Gucci, Cartier and Saint Laurent, said the partnership will reinforce its leadership in the luxury eyewear sector. The addition of Valentino, renowned for its creative excellence and craftsmanship, is expected to broaden its offer and strengthen its positioning with consumers.
For Valentino, the move provides an opportunity to expand its presence in eyewear while maintaining its luxury positioning. The collaboration leverages Kering Eyewear’s business model, which has helped redefine the luxury eyewear category since the company’s launch in 2014.
The deal comes amid ongoing consolidation in the eyewear industry, with major fashion houses increasingly seeking specialist partners to manage product categories outside their core expertise.
