Balenciaga signs eyewear deal

Balenciaga and the Safilo Group have signed a five-year licensing agreement to produce and distribute the fashion brand's eyewear. The new collection, three models of which have already debuted at the spring-summer show in Paris last year, will launch in October. Initially, the range will consist exclusively of women's sunglasses, but Safilo chairman Vittorio Tabacchi said during a press conference that a men's line and prescription glasses will be added.

The women's line will feature details designed by Balenciaga's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière and will also include elements from the brand's sunglass models from the Seventies. Tabacchi said the line will remain small, with each piece individually numbered and a change of styles every three to four months.

Safilo already has licenses with various Gucci Group brands, including Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta. "The deal further solidifies our relationhip with the Gucci Group," Tabbachi said.