Issue #91August 30th 2017

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From Africa with love

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New markets for SafiloThe license for the Liz

Claiborne women and

Claiborne men brands

has also been renewed

in the US and Canada

Exclusive DitaAccording to Managing Director, Rosario Toscano

Claiborne

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| Issue #91 | August 30th 2017

Over the past three years, the company has grown 300%. Rosario Toscano, its Managing Director, illustrates its journey.

Tell us about Dita's current positioning on the market. Dita has been growing rapidly with a growth rate of 40% over the first 5 months of 2017. It is most certainly the fastest-growing independent brand in the luxury segment of fashion eyewear.Through its premises in California, Ireland, Hong Kong and Japan, strategically positioned to better serve the key markets, it markets its products worldwide, boasting a distribution network which counts six proprietary points of sale (in the United States and in Japan) and more than 3,000 authorised retailers across the world, through its highly-qualified sales force.

What are your future objectives in the short- and mid-term?The company and brands have great potential. Our main objective is to continue to grow in expanding markets and boost product distribution, while maintaining selectivity and positioning in compliance with each brand in our portfolio, whether current or future. In the mid- and long-term, Dita is going to launch two new brands, one in the super-luxury segment, with glasses created and produced using revolutionary techniques and materials, and a second brand that features special lenses for driving cars, boats and planes.

You bought the brand Christian Roth in 2015. How have you developed this brand in terms of creativity and distribution?Christian Roth is a brand with a great heritage. Christian Roth and Eric Domege were fashion eyewear pioneers in the ’80s, and designed some of the most extravagant, innovative glasses of all time. We have developed brand promotion by celebrating the ones which were the most important milestones and creations, reproposing iconic models with a modern twist and letting the consumer in on the history and values behind the product.

And what about Thom Browne?Again for Thom Browne, as regards product promotion, we can definitely count on the reputation of the brand and the designer: Thom is considered one of the top designers in the world at the moment. The two brands' close collaboration has resulted in a product that reflects ready-to-wear design features and cutting-edge technology and manufacturing of Dita production. Product features, the production process and the ensuing price all call for focusing on selective distribution and taking care of product design and finishing phases in great detail.

You are one of the most important players in luxury eyewear. What is the future of this segment?The eyewear market is worth 90 billion dollars and it is growing exponentially. A significant slice is represented by the luxury eyewear segment that promises growth rates of 60-70%. This trend will increase in the future also due to fashion giants such as LVMH and Kering that are taking action to make the eyewear experience similar to that of the fashion world. Eyewear is now a fashion accessory that is no longer seen as a purely functional accessory. It is thus a sought-after product, so eyewear choice is increasingly important along with the expression of the style and personality of each of us.

What do you think about large luxury groups entering our sector? Just as I mentioned in the last answer: the luxury eyewear segment is, without a doubt, an interesting business opportunity and large luxury groups can use brand awareness and synergies to develop their own eyewear line in house. Of course, they will have to respect expectations and reflect the quality and positioning of each brand in the glasses.

Will we see you at the September edition of Date? There will be a lot of news. Of course we will attend Date as we have for years with Dita, Thom Browne and Christian Roth, but we do not want to spoil any surprises! The fair will most definitely be successful, also considering the fact that Silmo will be taking place in October this year.

Exclusive Dita

Dita Dita

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| Issue #91 | August 30th 2017

Over 60 projects were presented for the “O-Six for Art” contest created by Thema Optical and dedicated to young artists and designers. The six young artists who won the first edition of this initiative were presented with the Award during the Venice Art Biennale in May. Produced in a limited series, the selected works by the finalists were chosen to be displayed also at the Eyewear Museum in Pieve di Cadore (Belluno).The contest was set up with the intention of giving artists from Italy and abroad more visibility through the creation of original designs on the theme of eyewear shapes.The participation of countless young people from all over the world consolidated the bond between art and commerce by drawing inspiration from their passion, creativity and ability.

The O-Six for Art Award at the Eyewear Museum

Another “+” for Luxottica

Over the first six months of 2017, Luxottica's turnover grew 4.2% (+1.8% at constant currency rates). Its Wholesale and Retail divisions both contributed to the positive performance during this period, despite the implementation of stricter trade policies in North America and China and the reduction of discounts in all sales channels. The company's e-commerce platforms contributed very positively with revenue increasing 6% at constant currency rates. During the second quarter, turnover improved by 3.2% (+1.8% at constant currency rates) and the operating result grew on the adjusted basis by 4.9% to 899 million Euros in the semester (+10.1% to 868 million Euros on reported basis), with an operating margin at 18.3% having increased by 10 basis points. In reported terms, the operating margin equalled 17.6% having increased by 90 basis points. The adjusted net profit also grew by 6.7% to 567 million Euros (+18.1% to 562 million Euros on reported basis).

New markets for Safilo

Well-Seeing Academy goes to France

After the success of last summer’s appointments at the Barberini di Silvi location, the Well-Seeing Academy will continue in September and in the coming months will also go to France, Belgium and Holland. The aim of these appointments is to train opticians about light and its effects on the eyes in the short, mid and, above all, long term. The main subjects handled are the effects of UV and IR rays and blue light, eye diseases, the different characteristics of lenses, protection and all the necessary steps for taking care of our eyesight. Clients who complete the training will acquire the status of “Optician Specializing in Sunlight” and will be provided with educational/display materials for their outlets. They will also have the possibility to be added to the Store locator function on well-seeing.net.

During August the Padua-based group was characterized by important developments: it announced that its brands will now be in Belarus and Kazakhstan - the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets that will be served from Russia - and the exclusive distribution partnership in Chile with Valente Eyewear & Trade, the local leader with a long tradition in the sector.Safilo also announced that the license for the design, production, and distribution of the Liz Claiborne women and Claiborne men sunglasses and optical frames collections has been renewed for another five years in the United States and Canada with JC Penney, one of the main apparel and furnishings retailers in the United States and Puerto Rico.

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Liz Claiborne

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| Issue #91 | August 30th 2017

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Spektre, the brand created in 2009 thanks to the intuition of a very young entrepreneur, Niccolò Pocchini, closed financial year 2016 with around 4 million euros and 15% growth, 70% of which was generated in markets abroad. Annually, the brand produces 120,000 pairs of optical and sun models.In July it was also the protagonist of window displays at Annex La Rinascente in Milan, which revived the mysteries of Twin Peaks 25 years after the death of Laura Palmer. The cult series by Mark Frost and David Lynch was the main theme of the settings of two display areas at the Milan department store: catching the eye of the general public were the models of the 2017 collection arranged against a background of red velvet drapes!

Lavinia Biagiotti President & CEO Biagiotti GroupMichael Biondi Vice Presidents of Sales for the West Region Eastern States EyewearSteve Heft Senior Vice President of Operations ABB Optical GroupBert Rosado Vice President of Sales for the Eastern Region Eastern States Eyewear

Spektre growth up 15%

Coco Song Award

Blackfin has created a special edition capsule collection for the Blue Marlin Beach Club in Ibiza. The brand had its own corner in the club selling a special edition of some of the best-selling sunglass models. Gold Beach BF784, Montego Bay BF774, San Diego BF766 and Slot BF801, star of the 2017 advertising campaign, were personalised with the Blue Marlin logo laser-printed on the inside of the temple and on the lens. What’s more, for the summer season, all the staff of the club wore Blackfin eyewear as they worked under the hot Ibiza sun.

Opened in 2004, the Blue Marlin is the smartest location on Ibiza and is also today a world-famous brand with branches on the Ibiza Marina, in Los Cabos Mexico and in Dubai.

Blackfin “goes” to Ibiza

The exclusive Radicepura park at Giarre (Catania) hosted the official presentation of the prototypes created by the finalists of the first edition of the Coco Song Award. Promoted by Area98 in collaboration with Harim Accademia Euromediterranea, the Award offers talented young designers the chance to present their interpretation of the Coco Song brand.The four finalists - Selene Cassarino, Roberta L’Episcopo, Carla Vinci and Davide Mazzaglia and Rossella Leanza - took a distance internship at Area98 during which they were helped to produce the prototype of a color variant of the sunglasses they designed, which was revealed during the Academy’s year-end fashion shows.The winner of the Coco Song Award will be announced on October 9, 2017, and Area98 will make the winning eyewear.

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Design, fashion & lifestyle

Editorial Director: Francesco Gili MIDO Srl Unipersonale · Via Petitti, 16 - 20149 Milano (Italy) · Phone +39 02 32673673 · P. Iva IT 07164050150

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email: redazione@wmido.com

Fashion brand Amanti originates from the mind of Filomena Manti, a designer who began her academic career studying ethnography, leading her to discover far-off countries. Her Spring/Summer 2018 collection depicting Africa's multiple facets is the fruit of this background: graceful plumage dance on precious hides and, advancing, conceal andreveal the canvas which mingles with the jet-black leather; a delight of multicoloured feathers frame the snakeskin flaps and handles of the umber creations; the outline of a compellingAfrican rhinoceros dominate the classic bag lines. The blend of materials makes the collection a precious companion for those hot, summer nights.

| Issue #91 | August 30th 2017

Can design and furnishings positively affect the well-being of those interacting with them? Designer duo Lanzavecchia + Wai think they can, and that is why they have created furnishing line “No Country for Old Men” designed specifically for senior consumers. The style does not reproduce hospital/medical criteria which normally inspire furnishings created for the elderly. Instead, it is contemporary and sought-after. Beautifying a piece of furniture which was devised to be useful, is just one of the important, little steps which interior architects and designers can investigate to transform furniture and furnishings which improve the life quality of those using them.

They fit like a glove

The Made in Germany bathroomFinion, the new premium collection from Villeroy & Boch - the legendary

German company that makes ceramics and articles for the home – won two prestigious design awards: the iF Design Award 2017, in the “free standing bathtub” category, and the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2017. Delicate and minimalist, high quality materials like TitanCeram and Quaryl, versatility and numerous possibilities for customization: these were the winning qualities of Finion, the new line by German designer Patrick Frey, who was inspired by concepts of luxury and elegance to create an oasis of relaxation and wellbeing.

Design that's good for you

If you're looking for a new ethical high fashion shoe designer, Piagetti is your answer.Its shoes are unique designs with their signature style being “crafted petals” that adorn these works of art. The designer, Gabriela Piagetti, grew up in London, comes from an Italian background, and her adolescent years were spent in Brazil: she's an authentic designer and believes in the excellence of high quality crafted shoes. All of Piagetti Shoes are manufactured in South Brazil in a factory specialising in luxury shoemaking. The shoes are made from the finest quality calf leather with extreme detail and sophistication. During the manufacturing process, the craftsmen wear gloves to ensure these hand-made quality shoes remain in pristine condition.

From Africa with love