Kering adds Valentino to portfolio

Roberto Vedovotto

Kering Eyewear and Valentino have announced a newly signed global agreement effective from 1 January 2026.

The exclusive collaboration will grant Kering Eyewear the rights to develop and distribute the sun and optical collections under the Valentino brand.

Roberto Vedovotto, founder, president and CEO of Kering Eyewear, commented: “We are honoured to welcome Valentino into the Kering Eyewear portfolio, and to have the opportunity to contribute to the brand’s continued success. As a prestigious Maison de Couture, Valentino stands for masterful craftsmanship, exquisite design, and is a symbol of a one-of-a-kind style.

“We are therefore committed to developing its sunglasses and frames collections in line with its vision by leveraging Kering Eyewear’s expertise in high-end luxury eyewear and Valentino’s iconic codes, unique heritage, and savoir-faire.”

Riccardo Bellini, CEO of Valentino, said: “We are delighted to announce this strategically important partnership with Kering Eyewear. Marrying Maison Valentino’s matchless creativity and iconic style with Kering Eyewear’s unrivalled knowhow in luxury eyewear manufacturing and distribution, we will work together to further elevate the Valentino Eyewear experience.

“We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to AKN Group for the collaboration and the successful development of our eyewear business over the past years. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we now embark on this new chapter.”

The Valentino Eyewear spring/summer 2026 collection will be the first under the agreement, and will be presented during the Valentino Show in Paris on 5 October 2025. Sales will commence from March 2026.