Michael Kors Holdings Limited and Luxottica Group have signed a new and exclusive 10-year eyewear licensing agreement for the Michael Kors Collection and MICHAEL Michael Kors eyewear. The first collection produced with Luxottica will launch in January 2015. The eyewear collections will be carried around the world in Michael Kors stores, department stores, select travel retail locations, independent optical locations and Luxottica’s retail stores.
GOOGLE AND LUXOTTICA JOIN FORCES FOR GLASS
Luxottica and Google have formed a strategic partnership to design, develop and distribute a new breed of eyewear for Glass, which will include the involvement of Ray-Ban and Oakley brands from within Luxottica’s portfolio. The two corporations will establish a team of experts devoted to working on the design, development, tooling and engineering of Glass products that straddle the line between high fashion, lifestyle and innovative technology.
KENMARK EXTENDS LICENSE WITH KENSIE AND KENSIE GIRL
Kenmark has renewed its eyewear licensing agreement for optical frames and sunglasses with Kensie and the recently launched Kensie Girl for an additional three years.
ZYLOWARE EXPANDS TO CANADA
Zyloware has opened a subsidiary Zyloware Eyewear Canada ULC and has appointed Sandra Laramee as national sales director for Canada. Zyloware Canada plans on selling nationwide and is beginning by selling in Ontario. For more than 50 years, Zyloware has served the Canadian market with a strong brand presence, including Sophia Loren, Stetson, Randy Jackson, Daisy Fuentes, Invincilites, Project Runway and Red Lotus.
SÀFILO BOWS SÀFILO BY MARC NEWSON
Sàfilo celebrates the 80-year history of its namesake brand by launching a capsule collection created in collaboration with Australian designer Marc Newson. Included in the collection are five ophthalmic frames and two sunglasses, which stem from revisiting a historic model personally chosen by Newson. The result is different variations in specific materials and technologies based on the original shape from Sàfilo’s archives. Pictured: Marc Newson wearing SMN 005 (UFO style).
OAKLEY TEAMS WITH LITTLE LEAGUE
Oakley has entered into a partnership agreement with Little League International to become the official eyewear sponsor of Little League baseball and softball. Oakley recently introduced Quarter Jacket, sport performance eyewear specially engineered to fit youth. Quarter Jacket blends the convenience of an interchangeable lens design with the company’s renowned High Definition Optics (HDO) and uncompromising impact resistance.
MOSAIC INTROS BAJAZZO
Omaha, Neb.-based Mosaic Eyewear brings Bajazzo, an eyewear collection designed by Mathias Balduwein and handmade in Germany, to the U.S. The frames feature an innovative modular design system that connects the temples and lenses without welding or soldering, creating endless options for customized eyewear.
ZIMCO RENEWS LICENSE WITH ENGLISH LAUNDRY
Zimco Optics has extended its licensing agreement with English Laundry through 2024. Originally signed in 2011, Zimco will continue to collaborate with the brand for the manufacture and distribution of both eyewear and sunglass collections.
ADLENS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR
Adlens has partnered with Canadian eyewear distributor Superclip Canada and its parent company Perfect Optical Group to sell Adlens Alvarez technology-based lines, Emergensee, Adlens Adjustables and Adlens Sundials, and Adlens Fluid-injection technologies, the John Lennon Collection and Hemisphere, across Canada.
INSPECS USA SIGNS WITH O’NEILL SURF BRAND
Inspecs USA has signed a long-term licensing agreement with the surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand O’Neill founded in 1952 by Jack O’Neill, a California surfer and creator of the neoprene wet suit. The license grants Inspecs the exclusive worldwide rights to design, manufacture and distribute ophthalmic frames, sunglasses and snow goggles under the O’Neill name. Targeted to both men and women, the first collections, which launched in March, consist of optical styles in acetate and fashion sunglasses with polarized and mirror finish options.
—Gloria Nicola
