CARROLLTON, Texas--Nouveau Eyewear has signed a license with Rider eyewear, a Vanity Fair Corporation brand best known for women's apparel. The license begins on Jan. 1, 2005, and includes ophthalmic frames and sunwear.

"For Nouveau, Riders is a counterpart to Wrangler, another Vanity Fair Corp. brand. We have had tremendous success with Wrangler and expect to do the same with Riders," said Pat Aptaker, co-president of Nouveau. "The eyewear collection has a unique color story that will be apparent to both consumers and opticians and also introduces a novel consumer sizing concept."

Aptaker added that the license appealed to Nouveau because Rider by the Makers of Lee is fastest-growing female jeans brand in the U.S. She added Rider also enjoys tremendous national advertising support, making it a well recognized brand--one that she said consumers will be receptive to in eyewear. The brand targets women 25 to 55 who are casual dressers, yet still wants great fashion.

The collection is scheduled to launch in March at Vision Expo East with ophthalmic styles only and will target independents and chain retailers. The eyewear collection will join Rider-branded offerings, which include jeans, pants, tops and accessories.