De Rigo and Gap sign licensing agreement

Eyewear company De Rigo and lifestyle brand Gap have announced an eyewear licensing agreement for Gap-branded prescription frames and sunglasses in the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

Brokered by IMG, the agreement involves the design, production and distribution of Gap-branded eyewear.

The companies suggested the agreement marks a “significant step in the evolution of Gap’s lifestyle concept,” with the development of an eyewear collection for men, women and children. The lifestyle brand suggested the agreement could also help it to expand its reach, while for De Rigo, the agreement supports its developments in the US.

The first Gap eyewear collection is scheduled to be launched in 2022. The collection will be distributed through De Rigo’s sales network and in select Gap specialty stores.

Announcing the new partnership, De Rigo Vision managing director, Michele Aracri, shared that the brand fits “perfectly” into its portfolio, “with an en-vogue product offering at an affordable price that appeals across the board to consumers of different ages.”

Aracri suggested the agreement also marks a key step for De Rigo, “in its development plan in the Americas.”

Similarly, Adrienne Gernand, senior vice president of Gap Inc. strategic alliances and licensing, franchise, global real estate, store development, said that, for the US brand, 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.”