Eyewear Licensing

In this special report, License Global’s editorial team delves into sunglasses as a fashion accessory and how licensing impacts the category.

Patricia DeLuca

March 24, 2023

GAP x De Rigo sunglassesGAP

Licensing eyewear collaborations are vast and can be found everywhere, for everyone. According to IMARC Group, the eyewear market value is projected to reach $222.1 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023-2028. In 2019, the global eyewear market saw a revenue of $128 billion. Statista reports that Switzerland spent the largest share on eyewear, at $136 per capita, followed by Austria and Iceland.

Musician Elton John launched his 60-piece eyewear line at Sam’s Club and Walmart. Gap and De Rigo have launched their first collection of branded eyewear through their partnership, delivering a line of sunglasses and optical wear for adults, juniors and kids.

In sports, Smith partnered with Crayola for a capsule collection of snow goggles for the winter season. Tennis lifestyle brand, Prince and luxury eyewear brand, Illesteva, released a limited-edition collection of sunglasses inspired by the early days of Wimbledon.

One of the biggest eyewear companies in the world, EssilorLuxxotica,

works with everyone from Chanel to Ralph Lauren, Prada and Coach. And if collaborations include eyewear, EssilorLuxxotica will produce the collection’s frames.

Brand licensing is a big part of fashion, but fashion extends beyond essential apparel. For some, accessories add to their wardrobe and can complete a look they want to achieve.

For the licensing industry, it’s a good look. According to

License Global’s Top Global Licensors Report

, most licensors said that brand collaboration at retail was paramount to their growth strategy for 2023, including accessories.

Accessories are also a big part of a licensee’s world. In

November’s Leading Licenees report

, about a third of licensees on the list created licensed accessories in 2022.

To read License Global’s Fashion Accessories report in full, click here.

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