Editor’s Note
This article outlines a significant new partnership in the luxury goods sector, with Kering Eyewear securing exclusive global rights to Valentino’s eyewear collections starting in 2026.
Kering Eyewear, a subsidiary of the French Kering Group, has signed a global partnership agreement with VALENTINO. The agreement will take effect on January 1, 2026. This grants Kering Eyewear exclusive rights to develop and sell Valentino’s sunglasses and optical frames collections.
The agreement is said to reflect Kering Eyewear’s innovative business model and unique approach to luxury, positioning it as a key step in strengthening Valentino’s position in the eyewear market. Notably, Kering acquired a 30% stake in Valentino for 1.7 billion euros (approximately 261.4 billion yen) in July 2023.
He also expressed gratitude to the Swiss Akn Group, with which Valentino has had a partnership for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of its eyewear division since 2021. No explicit statement was made regarding the continuation of the partnership with Akn.
The first collection under this agreement, “The Valentino Eyewear Spring/Summer 2026,” is scheduled to be unveiled at Valentino’s show in Paris on October 5, 2025. The collection is then planned to be available worldwide from March 2026 at Valentino boutiques, department stores, specialty stores, and optical retailers.