Company

1961

FOUNDATION

INTERESTING FACTS

THE NAME OF THE COMPANY IS DERIVED FROM THE COMBINATION OF TWO ITALIAN WORDS: “LUCE” (LIGHT) AND “OTTICA” (OPTICS). A PERFECT MARRIAGE.

LEONARDO DEL VECCHIO ESTABLISHES LUXOTTICA AT AGORDO IN THE BELLUNO DOLOMITES. IN ITS EARLY YEARS, THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE OPTICAL INDUSTRY.

"WHEN I STARTED OUT AS A CONTRACTOR, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD COME THIS FAR"

MEET LEONARDO DEL VECCHIO

1971

FIRST LUXOTTICA COLLECTION AT MIDO

LEONARDO DEL VECCHIO SETS HIS SIGHTS ON A SPECIFIC GOAL AND PURSUES IT WITH PASSION: TO MAKE FINISHED EYEGLASSES WORTHY OF A LUXOTTICA TRADEMARK. HE THUS EXPANDS THE RANGE OF PROCESSING TO MANAGE THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION PROCESS. IN 1971 THE FIRST COLLECTION OF EYEWEAR WITH THE LUXOTTICA BRAND IS PRESENTED AT MIDO (THE INTERNATIONAL OPTICS EXHIBITION) IN MILAN. ITS SUCCESS MARKS THE DEFINITIVE TRANSFORMATION OF LUXOTTICA FROM EXTERNAL SUPPLIER TO EYEWEAR MANUFACTURER.

"I FEEL I STILL HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WHICH IS WORTH SHARING WITH OUR YOUNGSTERS"

MEET LUIGI FRANCAVILLA

1974

START OF WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION

LEONARDO DEL VECCHIO SENSES THE IMPORTANCE OF SELLING HIS PRODUCTS DIRECTLY AND STARTS A VERTICAL INTEGRATION STRATEGY WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SCARRONE S.P.A, A WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR WITH AN IMPORTANT KNOW-HOW IN THE ITALIAN EYEWEAR MARKET.

1981

INTERNATIONALIZATION OF WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION

INTERESTING FACTS

LUXOTTICA’S EXPANSION IN WHOLESALE TAKES ON INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE WITH THE OPENING OF A SUBSIDIARY IN GERMANY, THE LEADING MARKET FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF EYEGLASSES. IT CONTINUES WITH THE ACQUISITION OF AVANT-GARDE OPTICS INC., ONE OF THE LARGEST DISTRIBUTORS AT THE TIME IN THE US MARKET. OVER THE 1980-1990 DECADE, GROWTH IS STEPPED UP WITH THE ACQUISITION OF OTHER INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS, THE OPENING OF NEW SUBSIDIARIES AND JOINT-VENTURES IN MAJOR FOREIGN MARKETS.

1988

LAUNCH OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH
GIORGIO ARMANI

A PERIOD OF CONSIDERABLE CREATIVE TURMOIL COINCIDES WITH THE EVOLUTION OF EYEGLASSES FROM A TOOL FOR CORRECTING EYESIGHT TO A FASHION ACCESSORY. LEONARDO DEL VECCHIO SEES THE POTENTIAL OF WORKING WITH THE BEST FASHION DESIGNERS AND, WITH GREAT VISIONARY CAPACITY, ANTICIPATES A TREND BY SIGNING A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH GIORGIO ARMANI. THIS MARKS THE CREATION OF A GLOBALLY-IMPORTANT LICENSE PORTFOLIO. THE FIRST AGREEMENT WITH ARMANI ENDS IN 2003. IN 2013, LUXOTTICA SIGNS A NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE DESIGNER.

ARMANI LATEST CAMPAIGN: FRAMES OF LIFE

1990

LISTING ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

THE UNITED STATES IS A STRATEGIC MARKET FOR THE GROUP. LISTING ON THE NYSE BRINGS GREATER GLOBAL VISIBILITY AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER ACCELERATE THE GROWTH OF LUXOTTICA.

1990

ACQUISITION OF
VOGUE EYEWEAR

LUXOTTICA ACQUIRES VOGUE EYEWEAR AND EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN THE FASHION AND LIFESTYLE SECTOR. CREATED IN 1973, VOGUE EYEWEAR IS SYNONYMOUS WITH GLAMOUR AND CONTEMPORARY STYLE. A GLOBAL BRAND THAT IS CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT HIGHLIGHTING THE LOCAL DIMENSION OF VARIOUS MARKETS IN WHICH CONSUMERS HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND TASTES.

ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN VOGUE EYEWEAR 2008 COLLECTION

1991

OPENING OF THE OPTICS MUSEUM

INTERESTING FACTS

THE OPTICS MUSEUM HOUSES OVER 2,000 ITEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN COLLECTED WITH PASSION OVER THREE DECADES, BEFORE BEING EXHIBITED IN THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY STABLE AT VILLA CROTTA DE’ MANZONI, AGORDO. IN THIS PLACE BEGINS A FASCINATING JOURNEY IN THE WORLD OF GLASSES, SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS, PRINTS AND BOOKS THROUGH WHICH LUXOTTICA HAS THE AMBITION TO SPREAD THE HISTORICAL MEMORY OF HANDCRAFTING THAT TALKS ABOUT PEOPLE, WORK, CULTURE AND INNOVATION.

VISIT THE MUSEUM SECTION

CHINESE GLASSES IN PERFORATED TORTOISESHELL – LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

1992

LAUNCH OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH:
BROOKS BROTHERS

FOUNDED IN 1818 IN NEW YORK, BROOKS BROTHERS IS THE OLDEST CLOTHING RETAILER IN THE UNITED STATES. IN ITS TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY, THE BRAND HAS MAINTAINED STRONG ROOTS IN AMERICAN CULTURE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HAS BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL ICON OF CLASSIC, ELEGANT STYLE THAT DELIVERS FUNCTIONALITY, LIGHTNESS AND HIGH QUALITY.

ELEGANT, VERY LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S OPTICAL EYEWEAR IN TITANIUM, MODEL BB 433, 2008 COLLECTION

1995

ACQUISITION OF PERSOL

INTERESTING FACTS

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MODELS, 649 WAS CREATED IN 1957 FOR TURIN TRAM DRIVERS, WHO NEEDED LARGE EYEGLASSES TO PROTECT THEM FROM WIND AND DUST. ITS SUCCESS WAS ENSURED BY AN ORIGINAL DESIGN. IN 1961 THEY ENTERED INTO LEGEND WHEN MARCELLO MASTROIANNI WORE THEM IN THE FILM “DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE”. STARTING IN THE 50S AND 60S PERSOL MODELS ARE WORN BY GREAT PERSONALITIES AND FAMOUS ACTORS OF THE TIME, SUCH AS GRETA GARBO AND STEVE MCQUEEN, WHO CHOOSE THEM ON THE SCREEN AND IN EVERYDAY LIFE.

THE ICONIC "MADE IN ITALY" EYEWEAR BRAND MAKES ITS DEBUT IN 1917. ITS EVOCATIVE NAME, MEANING “FOR SUN”, IDENTIFIES A TIMELESS EYEWEAR DESIGN, HIGH EXPRESSION OF A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP, A PERFECT ALCHEMY OF AESTHETICS AND TECHNOLOGY.

1995

ACQUISITION OF LENSCRAFTERS

INTERESTING FACTS

WITH LENSCRAFTERS, “GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT” ENTERS THE GROUP. IT IS A NON-PROFIT EYE CARE PROGRAM BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT CLEAR VISION IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. ITS FIRST INITIATIVES ARE PROMOTED IN THE UNITED STATES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PROGRAM EXPANDS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN 1991, THE FIRST OVERSEAS MISSION IN COSTA RICA BENEFITS 8,600 PEOPLE.

LUXOTTICA IS THE FIRST MANUFACTURER TO DIRECTLY ENTER THE OPTICAL RETAIL BUSINESS WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE UNITED STATES SHOE CORPORATION, WHICH OWNS LENSCRAFTERS, ONE OF THE MAJOR OPTICAL RETAIL CHAINS IN NORTH AMERICA. FOUNDED IN 1983, LENSCRAFTERS’ REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT “ONE-HOUR SERVICE” COMBINES EYE CARE, EYEWEAR AND LENS FINISHING LABORATORIES FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMERS WITH EYEWEAR IN AN HOUR.

1997

FIRST FACTORY IN CHINA

LUXOTTICA GAINS A PRESENCE IN CHINA AT DONGGUAN IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE, WITH A PLANT IN A JOINT VENTURE WITH A JAPANESE PARTNER, WHOLLY OWNED SINCE 2001. IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, LUXOTTICA EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN THE CHINESE PROVINCE, SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTING THE PRODUCTION CAPACITY.

1997

LAUNCH OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH:
BVLGARI

THE HISTORY OF BULGARI, THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED JEWELER AND MASTER OF COLORED GEMSTONES, BEGINS IN 1884 IN ROME. THE BRAND IS AN EXPRESSION OF ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP, CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND GLAMOROUS DETAILS, TOGETHER WITH SUPERIOR QUALITY.

1999

ACQUISITION OF
RAY−BAN

INTERESTING FACTS

THE FIRST RAY−BAN MODEL WAS THE AVIATOR. IT WAS CREATED IN THE 1930S TO PROTECT THE EYES OF AMERICAN PILOTS FROM THE SUN DURING FLIGHT. THE NEW EYEWEAR HAD AN ERGONOMIC TEARDROP SHAPE AND GREEN LENSES THAT BLOCKED REFLECTIONS WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING VISION. THE RAY−BAN TRADEMARK WAS REGISTERED IN 1937 AND THE EYEWEAR BECAME AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE EYEWEAR DIVISION OF BAUSCH & LOMB INC, THE RAY−BAN, REVO, ARNETTE AND KILLER LOOP BRANDS ENTER THE GROUP'S PORTFOLIO. LUXOTTICA SEES THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF RAY−BAN AND INVESTS IN THE FAMOUS SUNGLASSES BY LAUNCHING NEW COLLECTIONS AND STYLES, EVENTUALLY MAKING RAY−BAN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BRANDS.

1999

LAUNCH OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH:
CHANEL

WITH THE ENTRANCE OF THE FAMOUS MAISON BORN IN PARIS IN 1910, THE GROUP'S PORTFOLIO IS ENRICHED WITH A BRAND OF GREAT CHARM AND INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE. THE EYEWEAR COLLECTIONS CATER TO A SOPHISTICATED, ELEGANT AND STYLISH CLIENTELE AND REFLECT THE UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF CHANEL.

2000

LISTING ON MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE

2001

ACQUISITION OF
SUNGLASS HUT

LUXOTTICA STRENGTHENS ITS RETAIL PRESENCE BY ENTERING THE SUN SEGMENT WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SUNGLASS HUT, ONE OF THE MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS OF PREMIUM SUNGLASSES IN NORTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. OVER THE YEARS SUNGLASS HUT BECOMES A POINT OF REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SUNGLASSES.

2002

THE STARS PROGRAM: INNOVATION IN WHOLESALE

LUXOTTICA INTRODUCES THE SUPERIOR TURN AUTOMATIC REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM (STARS) TO THE WHOLESALE DIVISION. THIS ADVANCED SYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS ENABLES OPTIMIZED PRODUCT CHOICE MANAGEMENT, SUPPLY PLANNING AND AUTOMATIC ASSORTMENT IN STORES.

2003

RETAIL EXPANSION IN AUSTRALIA

LUXOTTICA ACQUIRES OPSM, A LEADING EYE CARE AND EYEWEAR RETAILER IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. ESTABLISHED IN 1932, OPSM HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS CUSTOMERS BY OFFERING AN EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF OPTICAL FRAMES AND SUNGLASSES AND HIGH QUALITY PERSONALIZED SERVICE WITH A FOCUS ON EYE CARE.

2003

LAUNCH OF LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH PRADA GROUP

THE AGREEMENT COVERS PRADA AND MIU MIU BRANDS. BORN IN MILAN IN 1913, PRADA IS A PRESTIGIOUS AND WIDELY RECOGNIZED BRAND IN THE FASHION AND LUXURY GOODS INDUSTRIES, WITH A KEEN ATTENTION TO DETAILS AND NEW TRENDS. THE PRADA EYEWEAR COLLECTION REFLECTS THIS APPROACH WITH UNMISTAKABLE STYLE AND REFINED ELEGANCE. MIU MIU, WHICH REFLECTS THE ESSENCE OF MIUCCIA PRADA, IS A BRAND FOR FASHION FORWARD, LIGHT-HEARTED AND SOPHISTICATED WOMEN.