Kering Eyewear and Dunhill have entered an exclusive partnership for the design, development, production and distribution of Dunhill sunglasses and prescription frames.

Dunhill’s five-year alliance with De Rigo concludes in 2020.

A tailored offering for the Asian market will be included in the new Dunhill Spring/Summer 2021 collection, the first between Kering Eyewear and Dunhill. This will be distributed from January next year.

The tie-up with Dunhill, owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont, strengthens French luxury fashion group Kering’s influence in the high-end eyewear segment.

Dunhill was founded in London in 1893 and won ‘British Luxury Brand of the Year’ at the 2019 Walpole British Luxury Awards.

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO, Kering Eyewear (pictured above) said: “I am confident that our relaunch strategy will lead Dunhill to establish itself as the most recognisable British luxury brand in the eyewear segment, strengthening its presence in the Asia Pacific region while exploring new opportunities in high-growth markets.

“This new synergy is also particularly valued as it once again and once more reinforces Kering Eyewear’s alliance with the Richemont Group.”

Andrew Maag, CEO of Dunhill added: “We are grateful to De Rigo for five years of brilliant partnership that enabled us to elevate our eyewear business alongside the new direction of the brand.

“We are now excited to be working with Kering Eyewear, a leader in the luxury eyewear business, on the launch of a brand new Dunhill eyewear collection. We look forward to creating an incredible strategic partnership and building a success story with them.”