He’s partnering with eponym.
(Press Release) NEW YORK – Fashion designer Billy Reid has entered into a multi-year agreement with eyewear platform eponym to design, produce and distribute the his first eyewear collection.
Eponym’s in-house design team will closely collaborate with Reid on the Billy Reid Optical collection, and eponym will distribute sunglasses and prescription optical directly to customers in Billy Reid stores and on the Billy Reid Eyewear website.
The Billy Reid Optical collection will include an update to Reid’s signature personal frames, made from sustainable buffalo horn, as well as sunglasses and optical frames with design details such as rich leather, ultra-light titanium nose pads, Italian acetate and gradient lenses.
The collection launches in fall 2017 in all Billy Reid retail shops and select department stores and boutiques.
Reid is known for his design of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.
Andrew Lipovsky, founder and CEO of eponym, said: “We are thrilled to work with Billy on creating an iconic collection of glasses that will capture the essence of his brand in eyewear. The team at eponym has long admired Billy’s dedication to craftsmanship and the rugged appeal of his brand, as well as Billy’s honest, open and collaborative approach to partnership.”
Eponym has also served as licensing partner for other contemporary brands seeking to expand into eyewear, including Steven Alan, alice + olivia and Jason Wu.
Eponym’s digital platform enables brands to design and distribute prescription glasses, sunglasses and readers directly to their customers, under their own label, online and in their stores. Eponym also manages all product fulfillment, customer service and CRM and invests in advertising to help grow each partner brand’s market share.
The eyewear collections developed by eponym for alice + olivia and Jason Wu launch in spring 2017.