Eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica posted on Thursday a 5.5% increase in revenues in the first quarter, thanks to solid growth in Europe and despite a weak North America performance and a tougher basis of comparison.

Despite a profit warning in January, UK-based eyewear producer/distributor Inspecs was in an upbeat mood Wednesday delivering 2023 results that saw revenues inch up and a marginal return to pre-tax profit.

​Valentino has opened the doors of a major new flagship on upscale Sloane Street in London, which it said continues the label’s “evolution towards a more intimate, design-led retail dimension”.

​London-based eyewear brand Cubitts is setting foot outside of its domestic market for the first time in its decade-long history with the opening of a flagship in New York City.

Safilo Group and Marc Jacobs announced on Wednesday the early renewal of their multi-year global licensing agreement for Marc Jacobs branded eyewear. 

Apparel brand CFCL has teamed up with Japanese eyewear brand 999.9 (Four Nines) to launch a debut eyewear line, on April 10.

One key test of an artist or designer is whether they have a powerful signature style, which explains the remarkable longevity of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac who on Wednesday launched a limited edition watch with MB&F.

Shein made more that $2 billion in profits from around $45 billion in gross merchandise value last year. The China-founded but now Singapore-based business had recorded net income of $700 million in 2022.

Dior and UNESCO staged their latest Women@Dior & UNESCO Global Conference Thursday, as over 1,000 women gathered to hear speeches and testimonies from luxury executives, mentees, mentors and even a Nobel Prize winner. 

Coach announced on Wednesday the recruitment of American professional basketball player Jayson Tatum as the U.S. luxury brand's new ambassador, coinciding with a new campaign featuring Spring 2024 watches and sunwear.  

Fiscal 2023 was highly positive for the Italian eyewear producer, with net sales of €558.3 million, up by 2% at current exchange rates and by 3.8% at constant rates, while adjusted EBITDA rose by 27.9% to €78.1 million.

​Eyewear brand Ace & Tate has launched its first-ever collab with London-based Ahluwalia. The line “champions values of creativity and responsible design, while tapping into the eccentric energy of London fashion”.

Marcolin, a global leader in eyewear, has opened a showroom in New York, in the heart of Manhattan. 

EssilorLuxottica, Kering, Marchon, Safilo are just some of the names rumoured to be interested in the potential takeover of the Italian eyewear manufacturer, which is owned by the French investment fund Pai Partners. 

​The UK luxury sector is now worth £81 billion a year to the UK economy and supports 450,000 jobs, according to a new report by British luxury body Walpole. 

Safilo said on Thursday its full-year adjusted net result dropped by 76%, due to the accounting effect of the valuations of options of non-controlling interests, as well as higher financial charges.