St. John Signs Licensing Deal
Luxury knitwear company St. John, based in Irvine, Calif., has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with an Italian company to make St. John sunglasses and prescriptioneyeglass frames.
Visibilia SpA will manufacture and distribute the glasses worldwide.
They will be available exclusively in St. John boutiques for Spring 2008 and then launched globally in May 2008 at Mido, a major optical trade fair in Milan, Italy.
The first collection will consist of 20 different sunglass styles, ranging from aviators to traditional styles.
St. John is hoping to rev up its revenues with more accessories that sell in the international market. It is contemplating licensing agreements for purses and other items.
The company recently hired a new chief executive, Glenn McMahon, who came on board in September. Previously, McMahon was president of Dolce & Gabbana USA.
—Deborah Belgum
