NEW YORK and MILAN—Coach, Inc. (NYSE: COH) and Luxottica Group S.p.A. (NYSE: LUX), announced on Oct. 5 the signing of a license agreement for the design, manufacturing and global distribution of sun and prescription eyewear under the Coach, Coach Poppy and Reed Krakoff brands, beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

Lew Frankfort, chairman and CEO of Coach, Inc. said, “Through the new Coach Eyewear collection by Luxottica, we will continue to offer a compelling eyewear assortment to our consumers further strengthening our position as a global lifestyle accessories brand.”

“We are very excited and proud to be entering this new partnership with Coach, one of the most important accessories brands in the world,” commented Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica Group. “Coach’s brand proposition, its commitment to the highest standards for design and craftsmanship and its distribution in strategic geographies worldwide fit perfectly within our portfolio." Distribution of Coach eyewear collections will be through Coach stores across the world, through select department stores primarily in North America, Japan, China and East Asia as well as through select travel retail locations, independent optical locations and Luxottica’s retail chains.

In its own statement, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., together with Coach, Inc. said their license agreement to design, produce and distribute the Coach Eyewear Collection will continue until its natural expiry date of Dec. 31, 2011.

“The partnership between Marchon and Coach has been one of high regard within the Marchon brand portfolio,” said Claudio Gottardi, Marchon president and CEO Marchon International. “In our industry, license agreements have time limits and often change hands.”

Marchon and Coach have partnered since 2003 to design and distribute Coach sunwear and ophthalmic collections in the U.S. and internationally.

Recent announcements from Marchon have included new licensed brands and initiatives including the global launches of Lacoste, bebe, and Marchon3D, joining its portfolio of brands including Calvin Klein, ck, Coach, DIANE von FURSTENBERG, Emilio Pucci, FENDI, Flexon, Jil Sander, KARL LAGERFELD, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike and Sean John.