MARCOLIN IN LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH SWAROVSKI The Marcolin Group and Swarovksi, known for its precision-cut crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones, have signed a five-year licensing agreement for the production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and ophthalmic frames under the Swarovski brand. The agreement is renewable for another five years. The launch of the first sunglass collection is planned for Spring/Summer 2011 and shortly after an ophthalmic collection will be added. Swarovski Eyewear will be positioned in the high-end segment and the distribution will be focused on high-end opticians, department stores and sunglass stores worldwide, as well as selected Swarovski boutiques. LUXOTTICA EXTENDS VERSACE LICENSE Luxottica Group has secured a 10-year extension to its licensing agreement with Gianni Versace SpA for the design, manufacture and worldwide distribution of ophthalmic frames and sunglasses under the Versace and Versus eyewear brands. ZIMCO PARTNERS WITH EBONY Under a licensing agreement with the magazine, Ebony, Zimco Optics will manufacture and distribute Ebony brand eyewear. The new collection will consist of plastic, metal and metal/plastic combinations for men and women in an array of stylish shapes and rich colors.
PRO FIT OPTIX DISTRIBUTOR FOR RODENSTOCK Rodenstock GmbH, Germany, and Pro Fit Optix, USA, have signed an agreement for the distribution of Rodenstock lenses and frames in the U.S. METZLER SIGNS WITH CERRUTI 1881 Nigura Metzler, the German optical eyewear and sunglasses manufacturer, and Cerruti 1881, a French-Italian luxury fashion brand, have entered into a licensing agreement. The two companies were licensing partners between 1993 and 2003. The first eyewear collection will be presented to the market in January 2010.
