Framing a British fashion statement: Kering Eyewear strikes partnership with Dunhill

Kering Eyewear and Dunhill have entered into a strategic partnership for the design, development, production and wholesale distribution of Dunhill’s sunglasses and prescription frames.

The agreement builds on Dunhill’s previous five-year partnership with De Rigo, which concludes this year.

The first eyewear release under the new partnership will be launched alongside the Dunhill summer 2021 collection. The ready-to-wear range will feature a curated offering specially designed for the Asian market, with Japan a key focus.

With this key addition to its ever-growing luxury portfolio, Kering Eyewear said that it continues to strengthen its leadership position in the luxury eyewear segment.

Authentic and design-driven: Dunhill was founded in 1893 and has become a stalwart of British tailoring and style
Dunhill was honoured as ‘British Luxury Brand of the Year’ at the 2019 Walpole British Luxury Awards

Dunhill, which is owned by the Richemont Group, has a long history of craftsmanship and tailoring heritage. It was founded in 1893 and has long been a premium part of the British menswear scene.

Under the leadership of Dunhill Creative Director Mark Weston and Dunhill CEO Andrew Maag, the brand was honoured with the ‘British Luxury Brand of the Year’ award at the Walpole British Luxury Awards last year.

Kering Eyewear hopes the new partnership will further reinforce its growing alliance with Richemont Group. Kering Eyewear CEO Roberto Vedovotto commented, “We are extremely proud of our new partnership with Dunhill, an authentic design-driven brand with flawless sophistication.

“I am confident that our relaunch strategy will lead Dunhill to establish itself as the most recognisable British luxury brand in the eyewear segment, strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region while exploring new opportunities in high-growth markets. This new synergy is also particularly valued as it once again and once more reinforces Kering Eyewear’s alliance with the Richemont Group.” As reported, Kering Eyewear recently struck an agreement for the design, development and worldwide distribution of Chloé Eyewear, another Richemont brand.

“We are grateful to De Rigo for five years of brilliant partnership that enabled us to elevate our eyewear business alongside the new direction of the brand,” added Dunhill CEO Andrew Maag. “We are now excited to be working with Kering Eyewear, a leader in the luxury eyewear business, on the launch of a brand new Dunhill Eyewear collection. We look forward to creating an incredible strategic partnership and building a success story with them.”

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