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Marcolin and Balenciaga to Finalize Licensing Agreement

February 3, 2012 12:27 AM

LONGARONE, Italy— Marcolin S.p.A. (MCL-IT) and Balenciaga, the Paris-based ready-to-wear luxury brand acquired by PPR in 2011, have announced that they have negotiated a general agreement with the intent of signing an exclusive license agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription eyewear collections under the Balenciaga brand. The contract, expected to be finalized March 31, 2012, is for a period of five years renewable for an additional 10. Marcolin plans to present the first Balenciaga collection during 2013.

“We are especially proud and excited to announce this agreement and to be able to work with Maison Balenciaga and its creative director, Nicolas Ghesquiere—one of the top fashion names in the PPR Group,” said Maurizio Marcolin, Marcolin Group’s style and licensing officer. “This new license will reinforce our mission: to create, produce and market products with unique, unmistakable and top-quality design. Balenciaga is a perfect fit for our brand portfolio and broadens the luxury market that we target.”

“This agreement with Marcolin echoes our conviction with Nicolas Ghesquiere that eyewear is definitely an essential fashion accessory which must be translated and marketed as such respecting brand vocabulary and iconic codes,” added Isabelle Guichot, president and CEO of Balenciaga. “This remains our ambition for the coming partnership and we will be fully committed to closely collaborate with Marcolin as we’ve been witnessing their ability to interpret brands in different segments always with accuracy and consistency.”

The Balenciaga eyewear license is currently held by the Safilo Group (SFL.MI) and will expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Safilo’s sales of the brand were approximately €3 million in 2011, according to the company.
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