MILAN — Following the closing of the acquisition of Marcolin last month, VSP Vision said Nicola Zotta was appointed president of eyewear and managing director of both Marchon Eyewear and Marcolin.
“Nicola brings a unique blend of Italian heritage and U.S. leadership experience, a proven ability to deliver growth, and an understanding of our commitment to our stakeholders,” said Michael Guyette, president and chief executive officer of VSP Vision, on Monday. “As we move into this exciting new chapter of our eyewear business, we are confident in Nicola’s leadership and vision to serve our customers with the very best that Marchon and Marcolin can uniquely provide together.”
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Fabrizio Curci made the decision to step down after serving as CEO and general manager of Marcolin since June of 2020. To help ensure a smooth transition, Curci will serve in an advisory role to Zotta over the next few months.
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“Under Fabrizio’s leadership, Marcolin accelerated its growth through strategic brand portfolio expansion, operational efficiency enhancements, and a focus on commercial excellence,” said Guyette. “We are grateful for his many contributions and look forward to building on the momentum established during his tenure.”
Reporting to Guyette, Zotta was most recently CEO of leading baby care Artsana Group since 2022.
This is a return to an industry and a company Zotta is familiar with, as he was president of Marchon from 2016 to 2022 and joined the company in 2009 as vice president and managing director of Europe, the Middle East and Africa region and Asia-Pacific. Prior to that, he held a variety of senior roles with Safilo for more than a decade.
“It is an honor to lead two truly world-class eyewear organizations whose combined strengths create an exceptional portfolio of luxury, lifestyle and performance brands,” Zotta said. “By uniting our complementary expertise and strengths, we are well positioned to continue delivering eyewear of the highest design and quality — grounded in craftsmanship and innovation.”
Thomas Burkhardt, who served as president of Marchon since 2022, has made the decision to step down from his role and will continue as adviser to Zotta, focusing on the integration of Marcolin’s and Marchon’s respective portfolios of brands. Marchon produces for brands ranging from Calvin Klein and Donna Karan to Ferragamo and Karl Lagerfeld.
The acquisition of Marcolin from PAI Partners and other minority shareholders was signed in September, but the purchase price was not disclosed.
Before Marcolin, Curci was CEO and general manager of Fiera Milano SpA, the organizer and host of international events and trade shows in Italy and worldwide. He started his professional career at Olivetti Tecnost and FIAMM Energy Technology and joined FCA — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group — in 2007, where he worked for 10 years, becoming head of the Alfa Romeo brand for the EMEA region and head of Alfa Romeo Global Launch.
Under his lead, Marcolin broadened the company’s international reach and enhanced its operational efficiency, reinforcing itself as a leading player in the wholesale eyewear market, expanding its brand portfolio through targeted acquisitions, such as Ic! Berlin, new licensing agreements — including Christian Louboutin and the perpetual deal with Tom Ford — and key renewals with the likes of Zegna, Max Mara, Guess, Adidas and Gant. In May, the firm also inked a four-year licensing agreement with Rag & Bone for the design, production and distribution of the brand’s new line of premium sun and optical glasses.
In the nine months ended Sept. 30, Marcolin, which was founded in northern Italy in 1961 and distributes its eyewear collections in more than 125 countries, posted net sales of 416.6 million euros, up 2.1 percent compared with a year earlier.