NEW YORK--Fashion house Proenza Schouler and Wilton, Conn.-based eyewear company L’Amy America have signed a worldwide license agreement for the creation, production and distribution of ophthalmic glasses and sunglasses under the Proenza Schouler brand name.

Steve Rappaport

The CEO of Proenza Schouler, Shirley Cook stated, “We are very happy to develop product with L’Amy America. The agreement between our two companies will result in eyewear products that are distinctive in the market and will bear the unique stamp of Proenza Schouler. With the involvement of the Proenza Schouler designers, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the eyewear line will carry the same elements found in the Proenza Schouler ready-to-wear--contrasts, elegance, playfulness, intelligence. We are confident the Proenza Schouler eyewear line will be met with immediate success.”

Stephen Rappoport, president of the L’Amy America added, “We are very excited to be working with one of the industry’s most exciting fashion brands and two of the finest young designers in the fashion industry. I am certain the eyewear product we develop with Proenza Schouler will bring design consistent with Proenza Schouler’s high-end fashion.”

Proenza Schouler is one of the fashion world’s fastest-growing labels.The design duo received the Council of Fashion Designers’ CFDA Perry Ellis Award for new talent in 2003.

The first sunglass collections will be presented in September 2007 during New York’s fashion week. The Proenza Schouler sunglass collection will initially be distributed to key high-end department, optical and specialty stores.