MELVILLE, N.Y. and MILAN, Italy— Marchon Eyewear and fashion brand Etro have signed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement to design, manufacture and distribute sunwear and ophthalmic collections.
The multi-year license for Etro Eyewear will start with the debut of the new collections in September 2015, a joint announcement said, adding that the partnership “aims to further increase the already significant position of Etro in the accessories world.”
“It’s a significant debut that represent for us a new challenge, and that gives us new energy. It comes from the need of completeness: the creation of an eyewear line is a further step in our creative and stylistic path, which contributes to the strengthening of our brand identity and heritage,” stated Jacopo Etro, creative director of the Etro Accessories collections.
Claudio Gottardi, Marchon Eyewear president and CEO, commented, “The global licensing agreement with Etro represents Marchon’s strategic goals to be expanding our portfolio with compelling European luxury brands. The team at our Italian design and product development center will work in collaboration with Etro’s designers to interpret and translate the strong identity of the fashion house, including the iconic Paisley motif, in order to conceive sophisticated eyewear collections featuring the high quality of ‘Made in Italy’ manufacturing.”
The Etro Eyewear collection will be available in Etro boutiques, leading department stores, selected optical and specialty stores worldwide. In 1968, Etro was established by Gerolamo “Gimmo” Etro, a world traveler educated in economics, who set up his own pret-a-porter and haute couture textile company. Over the years, the company became known for its distinctive textile patterns, in particular, its Paisley motif, and today is known for its women’s and men’s collections as well as fragrance and distinctive home goods.