LONGARONE, Italy--De Rigo (NYSE: DER) has sublicensed the distribution of the Ermenegildo Zegna eyewear collection in the U.S. and Canada to the Viva Group, as part of the companies' distribution arrangements.
According to a statement from De Rigo, the agreement "completes the process of integrating its commercial and distribution arrangements in the North American market with those of Viva, and does not at this time expect to enter into any joint-venture or share exchange with its commercial partner."
In addition to Ermenegildo Zegna, Viva will also distribute De Rigo-licensed brands Escada, Etro, Fila, Furla and Givenchy in the North American market.
Additionally, De Rigo has signed a licensing agreement with French fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier to produce and distribute Jean Paul Gaultier optical frames and sunwear starting with the 2006 collection. The collection will be presented at Silmo in October and distributed worldwide (except in Japan) in November.
The Jean Paul Gaultier brand, created in 1976, offers luxury men's and women's ready to wear, accessories and perfumes as well as haute couture. The brand is distributed in 15 eponymous boutiques and in numerous multi-brand points of sale worldwide.
De Rigo is a partner of the LVMH Fashion Group for the manufacture and distribution of Celine, Givenchy and Loewe eyewear. De Rigo also manufactures and distributes the licensed brands Chopard, Escada, Ermenegildo Zegna, Etro, Fila, Furla, La Perla, Mini and its own brands Police, Sting and Lozza.