MILAN — Kering Eyewear is adding Montblanc to its portfolio.
The eyewear division of the French luxury conglomerate will take over the development, production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and optical frames for the Hamburg, Germany-based company owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont.
The first collection under the new partnership will bow for spring 2019 at Paris-based eyewear trade show Silmo in September, before the global launch set for January next year.
Montblanc’s eyewear collections have been previously manufactured and distributed by Marcolin for 17 years. The license agreement with the Italian eyewear company will end in December this year.
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“We are extremely proud to announce this new partnership, which further strengthens our relationship with our shareholder Richemont,” said Roberto Vedovotto, Kering Eyewear’s president and chief executive officer.
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In March 2017, Compagnie Financière Richemont acquired a 30 percent stake in Kering Eyewear coinciding with a deal for the manufacturing and distribution of Cartier eyewear collections.
“Montblanc represents a unique ensemble of technological innovation and traditions of craftsmanship and I am confident that its distinctive positioning in the men’s luxury eyewear segment will be further enhanced within our outstanding portfolio of luxury brands,” Vedovotto added.
“The goal is to push boundaries of design together and think of innovative ways to develop eyewear…that connect with Montblanc’s ethos and values,” explained Nicolas Baretzki, ceo of Montblanc.
Kering Eyewear was established in 2014 when the French group took control of its eyewear activities. The Padua, Italy-based company now covers its in-house brands including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Boucheron and Pomellato.