Pierre Cardin renews global eyewear licence with Safilo

Italian eyewear group Safilo has renewed its global licence for the design, production, and distribution of the optical and sunglasses collections of the historic Parisian fashion house Pierre Cardin. The renewal runs until 2031 and confirms the strength of the collaboration between the two groups, whose partnership began in 1991 with the launch of the first Pierre Cardin-branded eyewear collection.

Founded by Pierre Cardin in 1950, the fashion house, whose headquarters are at 59 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, is now led by Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, the couturier’s great-nephew, who safeguards its DNA while renewing it with a contemporary vision.

“For decades, our relationship has been founded on mutual trust and respect, qualities that enable us to realise exclusive, high-quality creative projects with exceptionally fast turnaround times compared with the norm, thanks to Safilo’s savoir-faire and professionalism,” said Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, CEO of Pierre Cardin. “Indeed, the creations we have developed together are highly appreciated all over the world, starting with those in the Evolution line.”

Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group, spoke of strengthening “our shared commitment to elevating the Pierre Cardin brand in the eyewear world, with a particular focus on optical frames. For Safilo, Pierre Cardin remains an important partner, thanks to its distinctive market position, innovative design and clearly defined target audience.”

For more than 90 years, Safilo (whose net sales in 2024 totalled €993.2 million) has designed, manufactured, and distributed sunglasses, optical frames, helmets, goggles and outdoor eyewear. Safilo’s business model enables it to oversee the entire production and distribution chain: from research and development, with design studios in Padua, Milan, New York, Hong Kong, and Portland, and digital hubs in Padua and Portland, through to production at its own factories and with qualified manufacturing partners.

Distribution is carried out directly in 40 countries and through a network of more than 40 partners in a further 70 nations, reaching approximately 100,000 points of sale worldwide, including opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, retail chains, department stores, specialist retailers, boutiques, duty-free, and sports stores. The Padua-based eyewear group directly owns six brands (Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Blenders, Privé Revaux, and Seventh Street), while it currently has 24 brands under licence.