Thélios

What Thélios does

Thélios is the dedicated eyewear entity of LVMH Group, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Longarone, in the Italian Dolomites (Veneto region). The company designs, manufactures, and distributes luxury eyewear for more than 11 LVMH Maisons, including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Fred, Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Fenty, Rimowa, and Berluti, under the proprietary "Alta Occhialeria" quality framework that combines Italian craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing techniques. Thélios also owns two proprietary acquired brands, Vuarnet (acquired September 2023, a French mineral lens specialist certified Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) and Barton Perreira (acquired November 2023, a Los Angeles-founded luxury eyewear house), and holds a minority stake in Berlin-based MYKITA (announced November 2024). Core production is centered on the 40,000 m² Manifattura in Longarone, supplemented by a newly inaugurated 20,000 m² metalworking facility (October 2025) integrated from the Safilo Longarone acquisition.

The business model is a hybrid B2B contract-manufacturing platform for LVMH Maisons plus selective proprietary brand distribution. Thélios earns revenue through eyewear production and wholesale for the Maisons and through direct and wholesale sales of its proprietary brands via a curated optical retail network, department stores, and travel retail (notably the Qatar Duty Free multi-brand concept at Hamad International Airport with a Snapchat-powered AR try-on mirror). Go-to-market combines selective enterprise distribution through 18 international subsidiaries spanning the Americas (Miami HQ, New York showroom, Mexico City), EMEA (Longarone HQ, Benelux, Dubai), and APAC (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai), with marketing anchored by the Venice International Film Festival sponsorship, Vogue Business editorial partnership, and the Thélios Insider training app for opticians. Revenue is estimated by Bernstein at approximately €700 million for 2024, with the company reportedly having tripled sales over the prior 3-4 years. Leadership is headed by CEO Alessandro Zanardo, with recent regional leadership appointments including Luca Guillot Boschetti (Head of Thélios Americas) and Cedric Moreau (CEO of Barton Perreira).

Name

Thélios

Legal name

Thélios S.p.A. a socio unico

Website

https://thelios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Thélios is LVMH Group's wholly-owned eyewear division, designing, manufacturing, and distributing luxury eyewear for 11+ LVMH Maisons and proprietary brands Vuarnet and Barton Perreira through a 40,000 m² Italian Manifattura, 18 global subsidiaries, and selective travel retail channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Eyewear Manufacturing

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (456130)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunglasses & Luxury Eyewear (CRAKAEAE), Eyewear Retail & DTC Brands (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAK), Luxury Eyewear (Sunglasses & Optical) (CRAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Luxury eyewear manufacturing
• Designer sunglasses production
• Italian eyewear craftsmanship
• LVMH eyewear licensee
• Premium optical frames

Headquarters

HQ city

Longarone

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Eyewear Production for LVMH Maisons: Design, manufacture, and distribution of luxury eyewear for 11 LVMH Maisons including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Fred, and Fenty
2. Proprietary Brand Sales: Revenue from owned luxury eyewear brands Barton Perreira and Vuarnet sold through selective optical retail and brand boutiques
3. Travel Retail: Sales through duty-free and travel retail environments including airport multi-brand concepts

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thélios designs, manufactures, and distributes luxury eyewear (sunglasses and optical frames) for 11+ LVMH Maisons including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, and Fenty, while also owning and operating two proprietary acquired brands — Barton Perreira and Vuarnet. The company runs an integrated value chain from ideation to global distribution through its state-of-the-art Manifattura production facility in Longarone, Italy, and a selective worldwide retail network.

Product overview

Thélios is the eyewear segment of LVMH Group, founded in 2017, specializing in luxury eyewear design, manufacturing, and distribution. The company operates under the 'Alta Occhialeria' quality framework—combining creativity and manufacturing excellence for authentic Made in Italy products. Thélios serves 11 LVMH Maisons including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Fred, Rimowa, Berluti, and Fenty, creating sunglasses and optical frames that reflect each Maison's distinct identity. Additionally, Thélios owns two proprietary brands acquired in 2023: Barton Perreira (luxury eyewear from Los Angeles) and Vuarnet (French outdoor eyewear with mineral lens expertise). The company operates the Manifattura, a 40,000 m² production facility in Longarone, Italy, at the foot of the Dolomites. Supporting products include the Thélios Insider training app for opticians and staff, and AR virtual try-on technology at retail locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Barton Perreira: Luxury eyewear brand founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, California by Bill Barton and Patty Perreira. Known for design without compromises and superb craftsmanship, standing for understated luxury and timeless designs.
• Vuarnet
• MYKITA

Products and services

• Dior Eyewear Luxury sunglasses and optical frames designed, manufactured, and distributed by Thélios for Dior, reflecting the Maison's couture heritage and creative direction. Sold through Thélios' selective optical retail and department store network.
• Fendi Eyewear Eyewear collections for Fendi, the Roman luxury fashion house founded in 1925, produced by Thélios and renowned for craftsmanship and innovation tied to Italian heritage.
• Celine Eyewear Luxury eyewear for Celine, the Parisian fashion house founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana, produced by Thélios and representing Parisian Chic enriched by Savoir-Faire.
• Loewe Eyewear Luxury eyewear collections for Loewe produced under the Thélios partnership, including creative direction under Michael Rider.
• Givenchy Eyewear Eyewear collections for Givenchy, one of LVMH's prestigious Maisons, produced by Thélios.
• Stella McCartney Eyewear Eyewear collections for Stella McCartney, LVMH Maison known for sustainable fashion, produced by Thélios.
• Kenzo Eyewear Eyewear collections for Kenzo, the LVMH fashion house known for bold designs, produced by Thélios.
• Bulgari Eyewear Luxury eyewear produced under a strategic partnership between Bulgari and Thélios effective January 2024, combining Italian design and craftsmanship between heritage and visionary creativity, distributed worldwide.
• TAG Heuer Eyewear Swiss precision luxury eyewear collection by TAG Heuer, revived after a 7-year absence through a partnership with Thélios. Fuses TAG Heuer codes with Thélios' Italian craftsmanship.
• Fred Eyewear Eyewear collections for Fred, the Parisian jewelry and watch Maison known for bold, modern designs, produced by Thélios.
• Rimowa Eyewear Eyewear collections for Rimowa, the German luxury luggage manufacturer under LVMH, produced by Thélios.
• Berluti Eyewear Eyewear collections for Berluti, the LVMH Maison known for ultra-elegant leather goods and menswear, produced by Thélios.
• Fenty Eyewear Eyewear collections for Fenty, Rihanna's beauty and fashion brand under LVMH, produced by Thélios.
• Barton Perreira Proprietary luxury eyewear brand acquired by Thélios in November 2023, founded in 2007 in Los Angeles by Bill Barton and Patty Perreira. Known for understated luxury, timeless designs, and exceptional craftsmanship, distributed through Thélios' selective optical retail network.
• Vuarnet Proprietary French luxury outdoor sunglass brand founded in 1957, acquired by Thélios in September 2023 as its first brand acquisition. Renowned for pioneering mineral lens manufacturing and 60+ years of heritage, with Meaux manufacturing site certified Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant by the French government.
• Thélios Insider Training App Innovative training application designed to enhance the eyewear experience for opticians and Thélios staff worldwide. Features onboarding modules, product information, and celebrity endorsements. Available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Portuguese.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tripled sales over past 3-4 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• MYKITAstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2024MYKITA, the pioneering Berlin-based eyewear brand, and Thélios entered an agreement for minority investment in MYKITA. The development marks a significant moment of affirmation for MYKITA, underscoring belief in the brand's concept, values and vision. MYKITA will continue operating with full independence in strategy, operations, and creative process.
• Qatar Duty FreecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 July 2024Thélios partnered with Qatar Duty Free to introduce a unique luxury multi-brand concept at Hamad International Airport. The 45-square meter store features Maisons including Dior, Fendi, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Celine and Loewe with dedicated brand spaces, equipped with Snapchat-powered AR mirror for virtual try-on.
• Optitalia GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 November 2023Optitalia Group served as distributor introducing Thélios in the Middle East region. Thélios thanked Optitalia for their continuous support before establishing direct subsidiary operations.
• Barton PerreirastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2023Thélios acquired Barton Perreira, luxury eyewear company co-founded by Bill Barton and Patty Perreira in 2007 in Los Angeles. The acquisition expands Thélios' portfolio and strengthens leadership in luxury eyewear excellence through selective distribution network.
• BulgaricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2023Starting January 2024, Bulgari and Thélios combined Italian design and craftsmanship in a virtuous partnership for creation, manufacture and worldwide distribution of Bulgari eyewear. The partnership marks pursuit of excellence through ambitious and mutual vision for luxury eyewear market.
• Vogue BusinessstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2023Thélios and Vogue Business launched exclusive international series of industry talks titled 'Vogue Business x Thélios Talks: Framing the future of luxury eyewear'. Sessions in New York, Rome, and Paris explored opportunities, trends and dynamics of luxury eyewear category.
• La Biennale di VeneziastrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 July 2022Three-year strategic collaboration with La Biennale di Venezia as official eyewear sponsor of Venice International Film Festival. Thélios Suite at Hotel Excelsior hosts talents, press and guests with exclusive eyewear collections, press junkets, and hospitality experiences.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• EssilorLuxottica: World's largest eyewear manufacturer and retailer, producing licensed eyewear for many luxury houses (e.g., Chanel, Prada) plus owning Ray-Ban, Oakley and a global retail network. Direct comparator to Thélios in eyewear manufacturing scale, brand-licensing model, and selective retail.
• Marchon Eyewear: Major global eyewear manufacturer producing licensed eyewear for brands like Calvin Klein, Nike, Lacoste, and previously luxury-adjacent houses. Comparable as a large licensed-eyewear manufacturer competing for global retailer relationships.

Direct peers

• Kering Eyewear: Wholly-owned eyewear division of Kering, producing and distributing branded eyewear for Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and others via an integrated model very similar to Thélios. Closest business-model comparator as a captive luxury-conglomerate eyewear platform.
• Safilo Group: Italian eyewear manufacturer producing branded and licensed eyewear (including previously for LVMH brands and now Dior, Fendi under Thélios). Strong direct competitor for license contracts and operates a Longarone manufacturing footprint that Thélios just acquired a portion of.
• Marcolin: Italian eyewear manufacturer producing licensed eyewear for Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, Guess, and other brands via an integrated design-to-distribution model similar to Thélios. Directly comparable Longarone-based competitor for luxury Maison eyewear contracts.
• De Rigo: Italian eyewear group manufacturing licensed and proprietary eyewear brands (Police, Sting, Loewe previously, and others). Comparable family-controlled Italian eyewear manufacturer with a similar licensing-and-vertical-integration business model to Thélios.
• Charmant Group: Japanese eyewear frame manufacturer licensed with luxury brands such as Givenchy and producing premium metal and acetate frames. Comparable as a licensed-luxury-eyewear manufacturer serving global fashion houses.

Emerging players

• MYKITA: Berlin-based independent luxury eyewear brand in which Thélios took a minority stake in November 2024. Overlapping high-end design positioning and artisanal manufacturing approach; competitor for independent luxury optical retailer shelf space.
• Barton Perreira: LA-based luxury eyewear brand acquired by Thélios in 2023 and now a wholly-owned subsidiary. Continues to operate as a distinct premium brand alongside Thélios own wholesale of competitor brands.

Others

• Persol / Ray-Ban (Luxottica brands): Iconic eyewear brands operated by EssilorLuxottica and sold through premium optical retailers. Comparable as a luxury-tier proprietary eyewear brand sharing Thélios' selective optical-retail channel and competing for end-consumer attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thelios
• Instagraminstagram.com/theliosofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thélios