Design Eyewear Group Expands with Six French Brands, Entering Children’s Eyewear Market
Design Eyewear Group (DEG) has announced a major expansion of its brand portfolio, welcoming six French eyewear labels from the company KNCO. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for the Danish eyewear powerhouse, strengthening its position in the French market and introducing a brand-new category children’s eyewear to its international line-up.
The newly acquired brands include two well-known adult labels, Francois Pinton and Karavan, along with four children’s brands Karavan Kids, Kaliboo, Jacadi, and Catimini, the latter two under licence agreements.
Design Eyewear Group officially took ownership of the brands on 11 October 2025, further expanding its diverse collection of premium eyewear names. “This acquisition is a natural next step for us,” said Lars Flyvholm, CEO of Design Eyewear Group. “France is one of Europe’s most influential eyewear markets, and these additions give us not only a stronger foothold there but also the opportunity to bring our expertise into the vibrant and fast-growing children’s eyewear segment.”
The move follows DEG’s earlier acquisition of MENRAD in 2025, signalling an ambitious growth strategy across markets, styles, and demographics. The inclusion of children’s eyewear is seen as a particularly strategic development, expanding the group’s appeal to a broader consumer base.
Founded in Denmark, Design Eyewear Group is known for its portfolio of premium brands that combine design excellence with strong brand heritage. With the addition of these six French labels, the company now operates across multiple segments from high-end fashion eyewear to stylish, functional frames for kids.
The integration of the KNCO brands is expected to boost DEG’s presence not only in France but across Europe and beyond, positioning the group as a leading multi-segment eyewear company. “The children’s eyewear category is full of energy, individuality, and potential — it’s a perfect fit for our creative DNA,” Flyvholm added.
As the eyewear industry continues to evolve, Design Eyewear Group’s latest move underscores its commitment to innovation, diversity, and global expansion.
Design Eyewear Group (DEG) has appointed VMD Eyewear as the exclusive distributor for its Jaguar Eyewear brand in Australia. For other DEG brands like ProDesign Denmark, Face à Face, William Morris London, and WOOW, the key distributor in Australia is Eyes Right Optical.
