Longchamp chooses Marchon to launch into eyewear

French leather goods label Longchamp has further bolstered its new positioning as luxury lifestyle brand by adding another string to its bow, that of eyewear, through an agreement with US eyewear manufacturer Marchon.

Longchamp made its name chiefly with handbags, among them the best-selling model Le Pliage, but in the last few years the label has greatly extended its range, adding luggage, small accessories, women's ready-to-wear apparel and footwear, and men's shoes and leather goods. For the Autumn/Winter 2017-18 it will feature its first women's eyewear line, both for eyeglasses and sunglasses.

The range will be developed, produced and distributed by Marchon but it will be designed "under the supervision of the label's Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine," said Longchamp. The line will be distributed via the French label's own stores (some 300 of them worldwide) as well as through optician chains in several countries.

"Longchamp is looking to broaden its scope by developing its potential on this market, one of the main segments in fashion accessories," stated the label in a press release. In 2015 Longchamp topped the symbolic half-a-billion-euro mark thanks to a 14% revenue rise. It has seemingly had a more troubled year in 2016, though the figures for the fiscal year that ended recently have not yet been published.

The label is hoping to end 2017 on a more positive note, with another year of strong growth. The international eyewear launch and the several new store openings on the cards will be instrumental for achieving this objective.

Longchamp chooses Marchon to launch into eyewear

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