BILLY REID INKS EYEWEAR DEAL WITH EPONYM

CFDA-award-winning designer Billy Reid has entered into a multi-year agreement with eyewear platform Eponym to design, produce, and distribute the designer’s first-ever eyewear collection.

Under the agreement, Eponym’s in-house design team will closely collaborate with Reid on the Billy Reid Optical collection, and will distribute sunglasses and prescription optical directly to customers in Billy Reid stores and online at 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.

“I have been wearing glasses since I was twenty years old so at this point they are part of my identity,” said Reid. “I’m inspired by classic American shapes. We wanted to realize that in our own modern take by using fine metals, brass and horn, which are materials I have always gravitated towards. There’s been an obvious demand from our customers requesting eyewear and it only made sense for us to find a partner to help this come to life.  Establishing the relationship with eponym was key to helping craft our pieces at a high quality level and enter the market with a knowledge partner.”

“We are thrilled to work with Billy on creating an iconic collection of glasses that will capture the essence of his brand in eyewear,” added Andrew Lipovsky, founder and CEO of Eponym.  “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 additional licensing partnerships with contemporary brands such as Steven Alan, Alice + Olivia, and Jason Wu.