Thélios, owned by LVMH, acquired Vuarnet from NEO Investment Partners. The deal is the first brand acquisition for Thélios, marking a milestone in the development of the LVMH eyewear company as it expands into the luxury eyewear business. Terms were not disclosed.
A post on LVMH’s site said Vuarnet “perfectly blends in the Thélios’ portfolio of LVMH luxury Maisons through its unique brand positioning at the crossroads of outdoors and fashion. Thélios aims to restore the brand’s former glory, empowering Vuarnet to further elevate its product quality and push the boundaries of innovation.”
Founded in 1957 by optician Roger Pouilloux and French ski Olympic gold medallist Jean Vuarnet, the Vuarnet brand has established itself through craftsmanship, innovation, performance, and timeless style, according to the LVMH post. LVMH said Vuarnet has been sported by outdoor enthusiasts on and off the slopes over the past six decades.
Vuarnet also gained popularity on the big screen, immortalized by Alain Delon in The Swimming Pool (1969), Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski (1998), Daniel Craig in James Bond, Spectrum (2015) and other celebrities, building a strong community of brand loyalists, including celebrities.
Vuarnet is one of a few eyewear brands that manufacture mineral lenses (in Meaux, France) and that are certified by the French government as “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company).
Complementing Thélios’ Maisons in brand positioning, Vuarnet’s mineral lens expertise will reportedly benefit Thélios in expanding its know-how in this area.
“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Vuarnet, becoming Thélios’ first proprietary brand,” said Alessandro Zanardo, CEO of Thélios. “Vuarnet is a legendary brand with a unique history that deserves to be preserved and perpetuated. Its iconic design, its unique know-how on mineral lenses and its strong brand values are a perfect match with our ethos and positioning.”
The acquisition gives Vuarnet access to Thélios’ resources, including research and development, technical expertise and global reach, propelling the brand’s growth and global expansion.
Photo courtesy of Vuarnet
