 |
Italian eyewear company Gruppo Marcolin and French fashion house Balenciaga have signed an exclusive licensing contract for the production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and spectacles with the Balenciaga brand name.
“Marcolin’s solid expertise in design joins with the innovative vision and constant research of Balenciaga,” the eyewear group said in a press release announcing the deal, which was signed on 7 May 2012.
The Balenciaga line will be positioned in the luxury sector, with models that feature the stylistic characteristics as well as the functional ones, it added.
The five-year licensing contract is renewable for an additional 10. The launch of the first collection is scheduled for 2013. The distribution will span fine optical shops and department stores worldwide, in addition to Balenciaga points of sale.
Gruppo Marcolin Style & Licensing Officer Maurizio Marcolin said: “During these [past] months, in addition to putting the finishing touches on the agreement, we have already started to work with enthusiasm with the Balenciaga team to develop the new collection concepts together.
“Balenciaga has a recognised appeal at an international level as being one of the most exclusive luxury labels, and with great satisfaction I have been able to verify that between us there is strong cultural affinity. We are both ready to face this new challenge with enormous determination.”
Balenciaga President and CEO Isabelle Guichot stated: “Maison Balenciaga is proud of this new chapter in the history of the brand within a product category that characterises itself as an evident fashion accessory, which will complete both the vision of the woman that Balenciaga has and the image of Nicolas Ghesquiere, Artistic Director of the Maison.”
*Marcolin will be exhibiting at the TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore next week (Stand number: J34).
About Marcolin SpA
Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Marcolin is a leading eyewear company in the luxury market. In 2010 the company distributed an estimated 5.5 million pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses spanning more than 800 models. Its licensed brand portfolio includes: Diesel Shades, DSquared2 Eyewear, Hogan Eyewear, John Galliano Eyewear, Just Cavalli Eyewear, Roberto Cavalli Eyewear, Swarovski, Tod’s Eyewear and Tom Ford Eyewear. The group’s own brands include Marcolin and Web Eyewear.
 |
About Balenciaga
The House of Balenciaga has been part of French luxury goods group PPR since 2001 and is one of the most influential forces in fashion. Founded in 1919 by Cristóbal Balenciaga and established in Paris in 1936, it defined many of the greatest movements in fashion from the 1930s to the 1960s. Artistic Director Nicolas Ghesquière seeks to harness innovative design and vision, combined with constant research in fabrics, infusing the founder’s legacy with a modern edge.
The brand produces ready-to-wear collections as well as leathergoods, shoes and accessories. The women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections span a wide price range. Starting with exclusive distribution channels, the brand has shifted focus to ensure it is represented in an environment that respects its spirit, not only in directly operated stores (69 to date) and e-commerce, but also through franchises and points of sale in leading
multi-brand shops with a worldwide coverage.
[houseAd]
