PARIS — Boucheron, part of Gucci Group, has signed an eyewear license with Luxembourg-based Gold & Wood, known for its use of exotic woods, horn and other precious materials.
The French jeweler’s eyewear pact with Italy’s Safilo Group SpA — which recently renewed deals for the Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen brands — is set to expire at the end of the year.
The deal with Gold & Wood, for an initial six-year term, takes effect Jan. 1, with the first Boucheron collection of sunglasses and optical frames to be unveiled September 2009 at the Silmo fair in Paris.
Jean-Christophe Bédos, president and chief executive officer of Boucheron, lauded Gold & Wood’s “expertise and sophisticated craftsmanship.”
Founded in 1995 by Maurice Léonard, Gold & Wood has recently expanded its repertoire of handmade frames into jewel-like designs of solid gold inlaid with gemstones, including a “Bling Bling” collection of diamond-studded styles launched in 2006 for the U.S. market.
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Retail prices range from about 500 to 1,500 euros, or $627.50 to $1,882.50. Gold & Wood also makes frames under the Woodlock, Evolution Art and Karloff brands.