Kering Eyewear announces new global deal with Valentino

Kering’s full takeover of Valentino may be delayed but the French luxury giant is still deepening its ties with the Italian label.

On Monday, Kering Eyewear and Valentino officially announced a newly signed global agreement. The exclusive collaboration will grant Kering Eyewear the rights to develop and distribute the sun and optical collections under the Valentino brand as of the start of next year.

The company said it marks “the beginning of a long-term partnership between these two global players in the luxury business”. 

Roberto Vedovotto, founder, president and CEO of Kering Eyewear, said: “We are honoured to welcome Valentino into the Kering Eyewear portfolio, and to have the opportunity to contribute to the brand’s continued success. As a prestigious Maison de Couture, Valentino stands for masterful craftsmanship, exquisite design, and is a symbol of a one-of-a-kind style. We are therefore committed to developing its sunglasses and frames collections in line with its vision by leveraging Kering Eyewear’s expertise in high-end luxury eyewear and Valentino’s iconic codes, unique heritage, and savoir-faire.”

And Valentino CEO Riccardo Bellini added: “We are delighted to announce this strategically important partnership with Kering Eyewear. Marrying Maison Valentino’s matchless creativity and iconic style with Kering Eyewear’s unrivalled knowhow in luxury eyewear manufacturing and distribution, we will work together to further elevate the Valentino Eyewear experience. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to AKN Group for the collaboration and the successful development of our eyewear business over the past years. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we now embark on this new chapter.”

They also said the deal represents an important step for Valentino’s brand positioning in the eyewear category “leveraging on the unique approach to luxury and innovative business model of Kering Eyewear”. 

The collab sees Kering Eyewear further “consolidating its leadership in the high-end eyewear segment, elevating its offer through the addition of an iconic brand celebrated for its unparalleled creative excellence and emotional beauty”.

The first collection under the agreement will be for SS26 and will be presented during the Valentino Show in Paris on October 5. It will be in-store next March.