FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Terjesen 480.951.7174 x 5221
Eterjesen@marcolinusa.com
Marcolin Group signs a worldwide eyewear licensing agreement for the TOM FORD brand
Longarone, Italy, April 12, 2005 - Marcolin Group, one of the world’s leaders in the eyewear
industry, has signed a licensing agreement with Tom Ford, for the design, production and worldwide distribution of optical frames and sunglasses under the TOM FORD brand, it announced today.
The TOM FORD eyewear collection is scheduled to launch in October 2005. The licensing agreement is a multi-year deal through 2010. Though specific terms of the deal were
not disclosed, this agreement is consistent with Marcolin’s fashion and luxury division portfolio.
Distribution of the TOM FORD eyewear will be targeted to prestige accounts worldwide.
Tom Ford and Domenico DeSole announced earlier today that they are forming a partnership to promote and develop the TOM FORD brand globally. The Marcolin agreement is an important step in that launch.
Maurizio Marcolin, CEO of the Marcolin Group, commented: "I am proud to be sharing such an
exciting venture with Tom Ford, one of the most highly respected and successful designers of the last decade. I am certain that with Tom and Marcolin’s expertise we will build an extraordinary new success story in the eyewear sector to be remembered in the years to come".
Tom Ford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the TOM FORD brand said: "I am extremely
excited to be working with Marcolin on the development of my eyewear collection. Eyewear has always been a great passion of mine and Marcolin is an exceptional manufacturer and partner for this venture. I look forward to working with Maurizio and his team".
Domenico DeSole, Chairman of the TOM FORD brand commented: "Marcolin is an excellent
manufacturer of eyewear and its reputation for high quality products, attention to detail and
prestige distribution is well known. This is a wonderful alliance for the TOM FORD brand."
Investor Relations: Sandro Bartoletti Tel. +39 0437777111 e-mail: invrel@marcolin.com
Press Office: Anna Gennaro Tel. +39 0432657336 Mobile +39 3484403197 +39 3480949540
e-mail: news@orange-pr.com
The Marcolin Group is one of the leading companies in the production and distribution of eyewear and sunglasses and is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. It has over 1,100 employees in fourteen branch offices and four plants. In 2004, the company distributed more than 7 million frames of approximately 400 models. Its brand portfolio includes: Roberto Cavalli Eyewear, Just Cavalli Eyewear, Costume National Eyewear, Montblanc Eyewear, Dolce & Gabbana Eyewear, D&G Dolce & Gabbana Eyewear, Miss Sixty Glasses, Replay Eyes, Timberland, Cover Girl Eyewear, Kenneth Cole Eyewear, The North Face Eyequipment. The Group also produces and sells a range of products under its own brands including Marcolin and Cébé (ski goggles and sports glasses).
Tom Ford was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is widely credited for reviving Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent through influential collections and provocative ad campaigns that pushed the fashion envelope. Tom Ford joined Gucci in 1990 as womenswear designer and in 1994 was named Creative Director. During his remarkable ten years as Creative Director at Gucci and Gucci Group, sales increased from $230 million dollars in 1994 to almost $3 billion dollars in 2004, making Gucci one of the largest and most profitable luxury brands in the world. Tom Ford has won numerous design awards including four from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and five VH 1/Vogue Awards.