De Rigo and Chopard Announce the Signing of a Worldwide License Agreement
November 04 2004 - 5:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
De Rigo and Chopard Announce the Signing of a Worldwide License
Agreement LONGARONE, Italy, November 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- De
Rigo (NYSE: DER), one of the world's leading eyewear companies, and
the international luxury watchmaker and jeweller Chopard have
signed a world-wide license agreement for De Rigo to produce and
distribute Chopard optical frames and sunglasses starting with the
2005 collection. The sunglasses and eyewear to be included in the
collection will fully express Chopard's brand identity, standing
out for their design and quality just like Chopard watches and
jewelry. The new Spring/Summer 2005 Chopard Eyewear Collection will
be presented at Opti-Munchen 2005 and distributed worldwide
beginning in January 2005. "With Chopard we found a partner that
shares our business values - a commitment to high quality products
and respect for customers. Chopard is one of the world's most
prestigious and exclusive brands, and we expect its strong global
recognition to help strengthen our position in the luxury segment
of the eyewear market", said our Chairman Mr. Ennio De Rigo. "In De
Rigo, we have found the fundamental values of a family business,
with a long term vision and a real respect for customers and
partners around the world. We share a common passion for innovation
and creativity built on common roots of high quality manufacturing.
Above all, it is a blend of people with similar values coming
together", said Mr. Karl-Friedrich Co-President of Chopard. De Rigo
is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of
premium eyewear, the major optical retailer in Spain through
General Optica, one of the leading retailers in the British optical
market through Dollond & Aitchison and a partner of the LVMH
Fashion Group for the manufacture and distribution of Celine,
Givenchy and Loewe eyewear. De Rigo also manufactures and
distributes the licensed brands Escada, Etro, Fila, Furla, La
Perla, Mini and its own brands Police, Sting and Lozza. Recognized
worldwide for its watch and jewelry collections as well as its
Haute Joaillerie creations, Chopard is a family business in the
true sense of the word, founded in Switzerland in 1860. One of the
only family businesses operating in its industry, Chopard currently
operates three production sites, along with ten distribution
subsidiaries and 77 stores worldwide. Chopard pursues vertical
integration in the watch and jewelry businesses, with its workforce
including representatives of 45 different professions, all playing
their role at all specific stages of production. Chopard also runs
its own training center to ensure that today's apprentices will
become the artisans who will perpetuate the traditions of tomorrow.
DATASOURCE: De Rigo S.p.A. CONTACT: For further information, please
contact: De Rigo S.p.A - Maurizio Dessolis, Chief Financial
Officer, Tel: +39-04-37-77-77, Fax: +39-04-37-77-07-27, e-mail: .
Chopard & Cie S. A., David Trachsler, Accessories &
Licences Division, Tel: +41-(0)-22-719-31-31, Fax:
+41-(0)-22-719-31-35, e-mail:
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