Lacoste and Charmant announced the end of their partnership
After a five-year-long and profitable collaboration, Lacoste and Charmant announced today that they have decided to end their partnership for eyewear products. Charmant was the world license holder for Lacoste Lacoste006 and, thanks to its exceptional production known-how, it helped the brand to make considerable improvements to the quality of its products and it placed Lacoste in the topmost segment of the market.
In January 2011, the Lacoste eyewear license will be transferred to Marchon Eyewear, Inc.
“We are grateful to Charmant for helping us to build this business sector and for consolidating the Lacoste brand on the eyewear market. With Marchon Eyewear, Inc. we will now begin a new stage in the development of Lacoste accessories”, said Lacoste S.A. CEO Christophe Chenut. “Marchon’s huge expertise in design and in research and development will enable Lacoste to emphasize the innovative and fashionable features of its eyewear lines. At the same time, the crocodile brand will be able to strengthen the worldwide distribution of its eyewear products through Marchon’s global network.”
Marchon Eyewear, Inc. will design, produce and sell Lacoste’s sunwear and optical collections under the control of Lacoste S.A. The new collections will make their retail debut in January 2011 and will be presented at the Lacoste Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show in September 2010.
This new collaboration aims to consolidate the brand’s positioning in the fashion world with the strong development of the women’s segment. The sunwear and optical collections will remain faithful to the stylistic identity and casual elegance that is part of the Lacoste lifestyle.
“Lacoste is famous for its elegant products that are easy to wear, functional and top quality. We admire its ability to develop classically pure styles that enrich and enhance an extraordinary European style. We will be proud to include these elements in our debut collection”, said Claudio Gottardi, president of Marchon and CEO of Marchon International. “Lacoste will complement our brand portfolio magnificently.”
The debut collection will include 48 sun and 35 vision models which will be sold at Lacoste flagship stores throughout the world, at department stores, selected outlets and major optics stores, worldwide.
