De Rigo: new license Jean Paul Gaultier and agreement with Viva for Zegna
De Rigo and the French fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier have signed an agreement granting to De Rigo a license to produce and distribute Jean Paul Gaultier optical frames and sunglasses starting with the 2006 collection.
The new collection of sunglasses and eyewear will complete the range of Jean Paul Gaultier's lines of accessories, fully reflecting the identity and style of the fashion firm. The new 2006 Jean Paul Gaultier Eyewear Collection will be presented at the Silmo Exhibition, in Paris, during October 2005 and distributed beginning in November 2005 worldwide, with the exception of the Japanese market.
'The agreement with Jean Paul Gaultier, the Enfant Terrible of the fashion world and one of the leading fashion and luxury brands, enlarges and strengthens our brand portfolio, offering a growth opportunity for our wholesale business with the most aggressive and daring high-end customers', said Chairman Ennio De Rigo.
'In De Rigo we found the perfect partner to expand in the eyewear sector the passion for creativity and tailored products where 'everything is possible' developed with strong beliefs, identified by elegance, spirituality, sexuality and influenced by religion and ethnics', said Jean Paul Gaultier.
Furthermore, De Rigo has decided to sub-license the distribution in the United States and Canada of Ermenegildo Zegna branded optical frames and sunglasses to the Viva Group, as part of the two companies' distribution arrangements.
The parties believe that this agreement will allow them to fully exploit the sales and growth potential of the Zegna brand in the high value added segment of the North American market.
De Rigo believes that this agreement completes the process of integrating its commercial and distribution arrangements in the North American market with those of Viva, and does not at this time expect to enter into any joint-venture or share exchange with its commercial partner.
In addition to Ermenegildo Zegna, Viva will distribute the De Rigo licensed brands Escada, Etro, Fila, Furla and Givenchy in the North American market.
