Modo Eyewear Welcomes Heinz J. Pichler as ECP Sales Director

By Staff
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—Modo Eyewear has announced Heinz J. Pichler as its new ECP sales director. Pichler previously held key positions at companies including Silhouette International, Marchon Eyewear and ClearVision Optical.

Safilo and Amazon Collaborate on New Carrera Smart Glasses With Alexa

By Staff
Thursday, September 21, 2023 12:24 AM PADUA, Italy and SEATTLE—Safilo Group (SFLG.MI) and Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) have announced the launch of new Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa, blending Safilo’s design with Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. This is the first collaboration between Safilo and Amazon. The launch consists of two styles: the Carrera Cruiser and the Carrera Sprinter. In addition to the two Carrera frames, Amazon is also launching five of its own new Echo frame styles: Modern Rectangle, Rectangle, Round, Square and Cat Eye.

Silmo Reveals 2023 Silmo d’Or Nominees

By Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 12:24 AM PARIS—Silmo has revealed the list of nominees for the 2023 Silmo d’Or Awards, chaired by Nicolas Fafiotte. A graduate of the ESMOD School of Fashion Design, Fafiotte trained in Paris before moving to Lyon in the early 2000s, where he opened his design workshop offering bespoke wedding gowns and evening dresses. Fafiotte is a native of Oyonnax, in the Ain region, a central hub of the French eyewear industry. The Silmo d’Or Awards will be presented on October 1 at Silmo.

Studio Optyx Becomes Exclusive U.S. Distributor of ba&sh Eyewear

By Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 12:18 AM ST. LOUIS—Studio Optyx has announced that it is the exclusive U.S. distributor of French brand ba&sh eyewear, made in collaboration with Seaport ODLM.

Modo Acquires Italia Independent Brand

By Staff
Thursday, September 14, 2023 12:30 AM NEW YORK—Modo has announced the acquisition of Italia Independent, the eyewear brand founded by Lapo Elkann. This transaction is part of Modo Group’s strategic plan which aims to offer customers a product that can increasingly combine tradition and innovation with style and design. Modo Group has been assisted in the transaction by Jefferies as exclusive M&A advisor. The know-how of the Modo Group will be a key factor in the new direction of the Italia Independent brand, which will be able to count on a solid corporate organization and a more incisive presence in terms of international distribution. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Marchon Eyewear and Linda Farrow Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North America

By Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—Marchon Eyewear, Inc. and Linda Farrow announced that they have entered into a long-term exclusive agreement for the distribution of Linda Farrow sun and optical eyewear throughout North America, including Canada and the Cayman Islands.

Marcolin and MCM Announce New Eyewear Partnership

By Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 12:21 AM LONGARONE and MILAN, Italy—Marcolin and MCM have announced an exclusive license agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of MCM Eyewear until Dec. 31, 2028.

Philipp Plein Group and De Rigo Group Announce Global License Agreement for Plein Sport Eyewear

By Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 12:18 AM LUGANO, Switzerland and LONGARONE, Italy—The Philipp Plein Group and the De Rigo Group have announced the licensing agreement for the creation, production and distribution on a global scale of both Plein Sport-branded sunglasses and prescription frames.

Inspecs Group Reports First Half Interim Results, Sales and Earnings Gains

By Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023 12:24 AM BATH, England—Inspecs Group plc (LSE: SPEC), a global eyewear and lens design house and manufacturer, presented its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Europa Names Melanie Burns Vice President of Product Development

By Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023 12:24 AM VERNON HILLS, Ill.—Europa has announced Melanie Burns has joined the executive team as vice president of product development. Burns will be responsible for setting the product strategy for Europa’s full portfolio of proprietary brands, and will oversee all aspects of the frame product lifestyle.

Bollé Safety Appoints Richard Heppell as New Chief Commercial Officer

By Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023 12:21 AM CARLSBAD Calif.—Bollé Safety has announced the appointment of Richard Heppell as its new chief commercial officer. Part of the Bollé Brands group, Bollé Safety is the leading global brand in the PPE eyewear market with over 14 million wearers.

Oakley Extends Official On-Field Partnership With the NFL Through 2030

By Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023 12:18 AM NEW YORK—Oakley has renewed its on-field partnership and license agreement with the National Football League, extending the on-field partnership deal as the official eyewear provider through 2030.

Thélios Acquires French Eyewear Brand Vuarnet

By Staff
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 12:27 AM LONGARONE, Italy—Thélios has announced its acquisition from NEO Investment Partners of Vuarnet, a renowned French high-end outdoor sunglass brand with over 60 years of history. This is Thélios’ first brand acquisition and its first proprietary brand, which marks an important milestone in the development of the LVMH eyewear company. This acquisition will grant Vuarnet access to Thélios’ extensive resources, including research and development capabilities, technical expertise and global reach. Alessandro Zanardo, CEO of Thélios, said, “We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Vuarnet, becoming Thélios’ first proprietary brand.

Safilo Group Confirms Agreements With LVMH's Thélios Eyewear and Innovatek for the Purchase of Its Longarone Factory

By Staff
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 12:24 AM PADUA, Italy —Following Safilo Group's (SFLG.MI) previous communications about the potential sale and future of its Longarone, Italy factory, the company stated yesterday that "the minutes of the agreements were signed by Safilo, Regione Veneto and trade union representatives. Thanks to the  involvement of the social parties, Regione Veneto and all institutions, the agreement calls for the relocation of all Longarone employees to Thélios Eyewear, a division of LVMH, and Innovatek, owned by Carlos Fulchir."

opti Debuts ‘We Are opti’ Campaign Starring Members of the Optical Community

By Staff
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 12:18 AM MUNICH—Ahead of opti 2024, scheduled for January 12 through 14, show organizers have debuted a new visuals campaign for the show titled “WE ARE opti.”