Marcolin signs optical license with Kenneth Cole Productions

Marcolin Group has signed a license agreement with Kenneth Cole Productions, the New York-based designer, for the production and distribution in the U.S. of prescription eyewear under the Kenneth Cole New York and Reaction Kenneth Cole brands. The agreement commences on January 1, 2005 and builds on the parties' already successful license agreement for Kenneth Cole sunglasses for the US retail markets.

Kenneth Cole and Marcolin look forward to working together to build on the excellent work done by ClearVision Optical, Kenneth Cole's long time licensing partner. 'We have been very pleased with ClearVision's efforts to make Kenneth Cole eyewear the great success it is today, and we thank them for their hard work and dedication over the past 11 years', commented Michael De Virgilio, Kenneth Cole's Corporate Vice President of Licensing. 'We are excited to expand our already successful relationship with Marcolin, and we believe that, with their understanding of our brand, customer and product, our eyewear lines will continue to grow stronger'.

Maurizio Marcolin, Style and Licensing Ceo of the Marcolin Group, declared, 'After our tremendous execution in developing and distributing Kenneth Cole sunglasses throughout major American boutiques and department stores, we are now looking forward to extending our relationship with Kenneth Cole to offer premium eyewear to our faithful optician, ophthalmologist and optometrist partners in the United States. We are grateful to ClearVision for the support they are providing to us, to our optical partners, and to the consumers'.

'We are proud of the great reputation that the Kenneth Cole brand has in our industry', stated David Friedfeld, President of ClearVision. 'We will work closely with the Marcolin and Kenneth Cole teams to ensure a smooth transition that is in the best interest of our mutual customers'.