MOREZ, France—L’Amy Group SA, part of International Luxury Group announced it has entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with Chris-Craft, to design, manufacture and distribute a premium collection of Chris-Craft-branded ophthalmic and sunglasses frames for men and women. The first collection will be introduced during the 2018 Silmo international optical show. The new range of products will be a strong balance between innovative design and high-quality fabrics, the company said. “Signing this new license for the Group is part of our strategy to offer a premium collection to our worldwide customers,” stated Dominique Alba, general manager of L’Amy Group SA.

“Chris-Craft’s reputation will add to our existing expertise and vision of excellence and refinement. We share many common values with the brand and our mission will be to highlight them throughout the image of the collection with elegance, combined with our French savoir-faire.”

Stephen Heese, CEO and president of Chris-Craft, said, “We are very proud to launch our first eyewear collection in partnership with L’Amy. The French group belongs to the same heritage of Chris-Craft as our companies were born in the 1800s, meaning we both know about the importance of craftsmanship and the quality of our products. With their expertise and passion, we know that they will pay attention to every single detail of our brand and will create the perfect design to match our signature style.”

Chris-Craft is a storied American brand, born in 1874. Since the beginning, Christopher Smith crafted “the boats that dreams are made of,” the company stated, adding, “Realized with the same passion and dedication as they were 142 years ago, Chris-Craft boats continue to speak to boat enthusiasts everywhere,” with a “mission to design and build premium boats and yachts that remain true to the heritage, the iconic status and the reputation of the Chris-Craft brand.”

The deal was brokered by IMG, the exclusive global licensing agent for Chris-Craft.

Since 2012, L’Amy SA has been wholly owned by International Luxury Group (ILG), a leading fashion accessories company. A major international eyewear player, L’Amy SA, founded in 1810 in the Jura region of France, exports to over 74 countries around the world. Its portfolio of licenced brands includes Balmain, Cerruti 1881, Kenzo, New Balance and Vespa.

L’Amy America is also wholly owned by ILG and operates as a sister company, with the two companies operating their own distinct IT systems and managing different brands and licenses. L’Amy America’s portfolio includes the just-launched Canali, as well as Champion, Nicole Miller, Ann Taylor, Sperry , Balmain and Glamour Editors Picks. L’Amy America CEO, Stephen Rappoport, told VMAIL, “We work closely together strategically on many brand and business initiatives, including the distribution of some of our own collections in their respective territories.”