Kering Eyewear and Valentino have signed a global agreement granting Kering Eyewear exclusive rights to design, produce, and distribute Valentino-branded sun and optical eyewear collections. The partnership, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the two luxury groups.

The first collection under the agreement, Valentino Eyewear Spring/Summer 2026, is scheduled to debut at the Valentino show in Paris on October 5, 2025. Sales will begin in March 2026 through Valentino boutiques, the brand’s e-commerce platforms, department stores, specialty retailers, and optical stores worldwide.

Both companies described the agreement as a strategic move to strengthen Valentino’s position in the eyewear market while further consolidating Kering Eyewear’s presence in the high-end segment.

Roberto Vedovotto, Founder, President, and CEO of Kering Eyewear, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to craftsmanship and design, noting that Valentino’s heritage and signature codes will be incorporated into future collections.

Valentino CEO Riccardo Bellini described the move as an opportunity to combine the maison’s creativity with Kering Eyewear’s expertise, noting that it follows several years of development with AKN Group, the brand’s current eyewear partner.

Kering Eyewear, part of the global luxury group Kering, was established in 2014 and now develops eyewear for a portfolio of more than 15 brands, including Gucci, Cartier, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga, alongside its proprietary labels LINDBERG, Maui Jim, and Zeal Optics.

Maison Valentino, founded in Rome in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, remains one of Italy’s most established couture houses. Led by CEO Riccardo Bellini and Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the company operates across multiple categories, including haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, eyewear, and beauty.