ARMANI AND LUXOTTICA SIGN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT
The Armani Group and Luxottica have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing and worldwide distribution of sun and prescription eyewear under the Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and A/X Armani Exchange brands. The 10-year licensing agreement will begin on Jan. 1, 2013, and the first collection will be presented during 2013.

GEOFFREY BEENE IN AGREEMENT WITH TURA
Geoffrey Beene has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with Tura for men’s and women’s ophthalmic eyewear under the Geoffrey Beene label. Initial deliveries are slated for Spring 2013.

MAUI JIM SPINS OUT LIMITED EDITION SPIDER-MAN COLLECTION
In conjunction with the debut of “The Amazing Spider-Man” movie this summer, Maui Jim launches Kekoa, a limited edition sunglass emulating Spider-Man’s webbed eyewear. The sunglass features a red grilamid frame with a webbed pattern and lenses with webbed mirroring, seen by someone looking at the glasses, but not by the wearer. The lenses are equipped with Maui Jim’s proprietary PolarizedPlus2 technology and come in HCL bronze. Only 7,200 sunglasses will be produced and will be available exclusively at Sunglass Hut in the U.S. and at select retailers worldwide. Each sunglass is individually numbered.

ASPEX SIGNS WITH BMW

Aspex Eyewear Group has announced a licensing agreement with BMW Group for the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute sun and ophthalmic eyewear collections under the BMW brand in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Initial product deliveries are expected for early 2013.

MONDOTTICA IN LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH PEPE JEANS

Mondottica USA has signed an exclusive multiyear agreement with Mondottica International to distribute Pepe Jeans Eyewear, effective March 2012. The eyewear collection has an authentic London attitude reflected in the colorful, fresh, youthful designs.

CLEARVISION PRESENTS ITS 2012 KIDS’ COLLECTION
ClearVision’s 2012 Kids’ Collection, including Digit, IZOD Boys, Jessica McClintock for Girls and Op Kids offers a wide range of styles to build frameboard collections that appeal to a kid’s fashion sense while continuing to provide the value for which ClearVision is known. Each brand was strategically designed to incorporate a variety of eye shapes and a carefully selected color palette that is appealing and sellable in today’s environment, and is merchandised to ensure it meets the specific needs of that demographic. For additional information on individual brands, see 20/20’s New Products this month and next month.

MARCOLIN AND DIESEL STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP

Marcolin Group and Diesel Group have signed an addendum to the licensing contract they entered in 2010 for the exclusive worldwide rights for the production and distribution of brand 55DSL sunglasses and ophthalmic frames. The 55DSL line is the most recent concept in the Diesel product portfolio and is targeted to an international and urban public, who adores graphics, music and the digital world. The eyewear, which is scheduled to debut in early 2013, will reflect the young, lively, provocative identity of the brand.

CEBE BRINGS SUNGLASS COLLECTION TO U.S.
Cebe, a division of Bushnell Outdoor Products, enters the U.S. market with a 17-piece sport sunglass line. Included are three collections: Sportech, geared to specific activities such as Nordic skiing, cycling, trekking and triathlon; Sport Active, versatile, lightweight sport eyewear crafted for performance and style; and Junior, durable, flexible sunglasses for kids. Cebe has built a strong reputation in Europe as a premier outfitter of technical sunglasses for adventure sport enthusiasts.
–Gloria Nicola