The shopping experience is enhanced by a unique surf simulator, reminiscent of ‘80s arcades, allowing customers to engage interactively. Shoppers can try on Maui Jim sunglasses equipped with PolarisedPlus2 lenses and experience the brand’s tropical Hawaiian theme through polarised video screens. This innovative approach blends nostalgia with cutting-edge technology, offering an immersive and engaging retail environment.

UNT has been, in fact, a key, longstanding business partner of Manufacture Kering Eyewear for the provision of its components and Kering Eyewear and UNT share the same vision and values of excellence, craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability.

The acquisition builds on similar moves by Kering to establish dominance in the eyewear sector, including the takeover of Manufacture Kering Eyewear in 2017 – previously Manufacture Cartier Lunettes – and its stake in Trent Industria Occhiali that it snapped up in 2019.

UNT has already been a longstanding business partner of Manufacture Kering Eyewear for the provision of its components.

Their complementary distribution networks and product offerings will contribute to amplify the growth potential through the expansion of Maui Jim’s geographical footprint and the ability to gain new customers, more focused on innovation and functionalities. Through this combination, Kering Eyewear aims to reach newer levels, with revenues materially ahead of the billion-euro mark on a full-year basis and profit margins further improving.

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, declared: “Maui Jim has a unique positioning in the market, with very high-end and technically innovative sunglasses that are beloved by its clientele, and we are delighted that the brand is joining Kering Eyewear’s exceptional portfolio. We see strong potential globally for Maui Jim, which will benefit from our expertise and worldwide network to extend its geographical footprint and build on its core values to attract new consumers. This second key acquisition is also a major step for Kering Eyewear, which has now become unparalleled in its market segment, further validating the strategy that laid behind its creation by Kering in 2014.”

“The combination of Kering Eyewear and Maui Jim is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both of our organizations and our Ohana members,” said Walter Hester, CEO of Maui Jim. “Our companies share similar values, along with a strong commitment to our people and our customers, leading to a remarkable strategic fit. I am both humbled and excited that Maui Jim will join the Kering Eyewear family. We have proud pasts, and together will have an even brighter future.”

The transaction is subject to the clearance by the relevant competition authorities and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.

This acquisition is an important milestone in the successful expansion of Kering Eyewear and perfectly fits with its development strategy. Since its start in 2014, Kering Eyewear has built an innovative business model that enabled the company to reach a critical size in the market with close to €600 million wholesale external revenues pre-Covid (FY2019). According to the press release, this acquisition will further reinforce Kering Eyewear as the most relevant player in the luxury eyewear market segment, adding to its portfolio a complementary and proprietary brand with strong legitimacy, undisputed know-how and best-in-class customer service in optical frames.

Thanks to their business complementarities, both companies will be able to leverage on their respective strengths across the value chain, with synergies in distribution and geographical reach notably.

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, declared: “We are thrilled to welcome LINDBERG into the Kering Eyewear family. I have the highest respect and admiration for what Henrik Lindberg and his family have built over the past 35 years. LINDBERG is the absolute luxury eyewear and it will come as a perfect complement to the brand portfolio that Kering Eyewear has been assembling since 2014, making it even more relevant to our specialized distribution network. We look forward to working with the LINDBERG teams to further increase their brand awareness and amplify their international reach.”

Henrik Lindberg, Founder and CEO of LINDBERG: “35 years ago we started our company in two small back rooms behind our family optical store. With nothing more than the idea of bringing unseen comfortability and quality to the eyewear business. Thanks to a team of dedicated employees, we can now —in Roberto Vedovotto’s own words— call ourselves makers of “absolute luxury eyewear”. Kering and LINDBERG share a common philosophy that design is ultimately about taking eyewear to an even higher level. That is why the Lindberg family are extremely happy to be able to pass the torch on to Kering Eyewear. Under Roberto Vedovotto’s leadership and backed by the impressive values and high standards of the Kering Group, I am convinced that the LINDBERG brand will be taken to new heights and the key values and the unique DNA kept.”

The transaction is subject to the clearance by the relevant competition authorities and is expected to complete in the second half of 2021.

The double benefit of the product derives from the pioneering combination of distinctive styles with smart lenses characterised by a blue-light-filtering treatment with photochromic technology, which allows to reduce the impact of high-energy light from laptops and digital devices, while also protecting the eyes by darkening the colour when exposed to sunlight.

“Over the last year, the increasing amount of time spent in front of digital screens led us to develop a novelty for the industry, as these intelligent lenses have a double filtering effect that is unique in the fashion and luxury segment, especially if adopted, as in this project, by high-end brands”, commented Roberto Vedovotto, President & CEO of Kering Eyewear. “The launch of the Blue & Beyond project marks a further step forward in our continuous commitment to offering the perfect mix of style and functionality. We are sure our customers will appreciate the opportunity to wear their favourite eyewear brands with the added value of advanced comfort.”

This improved solution is now transferred to an exclusive assortment of ready-to-wear styles for some of the most coveted brands within Kering Eyewear’s portfolio.

Gucci

Gucci’s Blue & Beyond selection includes men’s, women’s and unisex designs crafted from subtle metal and thick acetate. The smart photochromic lenses transition from transparent pink to burgundy on feminine styles with sophisticated oversize profiles, and from transparent ochre to brown on the male and unisex options revisiting modern classic elegance with a vintage twist.

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent implements the Blue & Beyond concept on its iconic eyewear shapes for women and men, all coming with statement all-black contours in acetate. Bold cat-eye silhouettes for her, and streamlined and versatile styles for him feature transparent grey to dark grey transition lenses that perfectly align with the Maison’s vision of distinctive sophistication.

Montblanc

The new Montblanc range adds the innovative solution to the signature masculine frames in acetate, metal and in lightweight mixes of different materials. The rimless and full rim structures balance classic style and contemporary allure hosting smart lenses changing in colour from transparent blue to deep blue.

The first release under this exclusive partnership will be the new Chloé Spring Summer 2021 collection, which includes a comprehensive range of women’s sunglasses and prescription frames, and a mini-me selection for kids.

The new collection was supposed to be presented in September during the Silmo Salon Mondial de l’Optique, while distribution will start in January 2021.

This agreement with Kering Eyewear will build upon the previous 9-year partnership between Chloé and Marchon Eyewear, which resulted in a series of iconic styles such as Carlina, Poppy and Rosie.

With this new addition to its portfolio, Kering Eyewear continues to strengthen its leadership in the high-end eyewear segment, teaming up with the Parisian Maison recognized for its natural allure that balances couture savoir-faire with a youthful attitude. Over the past seasons, Chloé has gained the favour of the fashion industry and global consumers as a sophisticated brand that fully embodies the values of modern femininity, grace, confidence and effortlessness.

“We are extremely proud of our new partnership with Chloé”, said Roberto Vedovotto, Kering Eyewear’s President and CEO. “Our mission is to support and expand the Maison’s standing in the eyewear segment, pushing it to reach its full potential and establish itself as a leading brand in the women’s luxury fashion segment. Our special thanks goes to Marchon Eyewear, which has excelled in defining Chloé’s most distinctive styles, leaving us an extraordinary creative asset to capitalize on.

Moreover, this new partnership reinforces Kering Eyewear’s alliance with the Richemont Group, which further demonstrates the trust in our strategy and our vision.”

“After 9 years of collaboration, we would like to warmly thank Marchon for the many milestones and achievements which have elevated the Chloé Eyewear business,” said Riccardo Bellini, Chloé’s CEO.

“Chloé is looking forward to embarking on a new journey alongside Kering Eyewear with the mission to reinforce our strong position and establish Chloé as an undeniable leader in the luxury eyewear industry. As Kering Eyewear shares our same ambitious vision for the brand, we are confident they will be an outstanding strategic partner, enabling us to bring Chloé Eyewear’s business to the next level. We are looking forward to the outstanding work that our teams at Chloé and Kering Eyewear will realize together, hand in hand.”

The three-year partnership will come into effect starting January 2021, providing complete continuity to the previous contract expiring December 2020. The decision follows a three-year collaboration during which the two groups have formed a trustworthy partnership, leveraging Safilo’s top-tier service, unparalleled product quality and unique craftsmanship
capabilities, all key elements for Kering Eyewear.

Kering Eyewear and Safilo have always been attentive to their social responsibility role and share a common vision to work to preserve the Italian eyewear-manufacturing district. The long-term partnership builds on Safilo’s product expertise, established over its 85-year history, and confirms both companies’ commitment to the territory and to Made in Italy production.

Amico Group and Kering Eyewear have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for optical frames and sunglasses across the GCC, Egypt, Iran and Jordan. The various brands falling under the agreement include Bottega Veneta, Boucheron, Brioni, Christopher Kane, Tomas Maier, Pomellato, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, McQ, Puma, and in 2017, Gucci will be added to the portfolio.

The optical field has been one of the core foundations for Amico’s success since its inception. Founded by Akef El Maghraby M.D. and Mihran Hazarian in 1984, with its headquartered in Dubai, the company offers a wide variety of comprehensive optical solutions to optical retailers. Its wide variety ranges from lenses and luxury eyewear to luxury sport and performance sport eyewear. It  also offers optical equipment, edging systems, and other eye care devices designed for opticians, optometrists and eye care professionals.

Commenting on this new partnership, Mihran Hazarian, CEO of Amico Group says, “We are extremely pleased about our agreement with Kering Eyewear. They are one of the few top players in the eyewear industry and we look forward to building a strategic partnership with the giant fashion house.”

Carlo Breda, Kering Eyewear’s Head of EMEA Distributors adds, “Kering Eyewear is very proud to partner with Amico Group in the region, the knowledge and heritage of which will most definitely nurture Kering’s brands in such a key market.”