MILAN — Gap Inc. has signed its first licensing settlement for the design, manufacturing and distribution of optical frames and sun shades with Italian producer De Rigo.
The multiyear licensing deal entails a distribution settlement of Gap-branded eyeglasses for males, ladies and children within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil by way of De Rigo’s retail and wholesale community and at choose Gap shops.
The first assortment underneath the deal is to bow in 2022.
Gap had thus far sometimes supplied eyewear collections developed and produced in-house, however the brand new deal is supposed to strengthen that enterprise in sync with the San Francisco-based specialty retailer’s push towards new merchandise territory.
As reported final yr, guardian firm Gap Inc. unveiled a multiyear take care of IMG to increase the choices of its manufacturers to new merchandise and classes and entice extra customers to the corporate’s labels, whereas additionally opening up new channels of distribution, together with wholesaling.
“Partnering with licensees such as De Rigo gives us the opportunity to amplify our strong, globally relevant brand and extend its reach to customers around the world,” commented Adrienne Gernand, senior vice chairman of Gap Inc. strategic alliances and licensing, franchise, world actual property, retailer growth.
“With a fashion-oriented product offering at an affordable price that appeals across the board to consumers of different ages, Gap fits perfectly into our portfolio and represents an important step for De Rigo in its development plan in the Americas,” famous Michele Aracri, managing director of De Rigo Vision.
The tie-up with the Italian producer comes a couple of weeks after Italian retailer OVS revealed a franchising take care of Gap Inc. to hold Gap merchandise for girls, males, youngsters and infants on its web site and a collection of Gap Kids merchandise in devoted corners — all of the whereas the American group is retrenching in Europe, as reported.
Founded in 1978 in Longarone, Italy, De Rigo serves as licensing companions for a lot of worldwide trend manufacturers together with Blumarine, Carolina Herrera, Furla, Fila, Philipp Plein and Nina Ricci, amongst others.
The take care of Gap indicators the agency’s deal with the U.S. market as govt vice chairman Maurizio Dessolis detailed in a current interview with WWD.
To this finish, De Rigo just lately tied-up with baggage model Tumi, with a deal with the U.S. and Asia, and added Diff to its roster of companions, creating a distribution take care of the U.S.-based direct-to-consumer sun shades model geared toward facilitating its foray into wholesale distribution.
In 2016, De Rigo acquired the distributor Rem — now renamed De Rigo Rem and primarily based in Los Angeles — to spice up its wholesale presence within the U.S.
