Valentino is one of the biggest names in fashion. The brand has gone from strength to strength. Now, Valentino is in the news again due to a new deal with Kering.
Kering is one of the largest and wealthiest companies in the industry, and it owns the likes of Gucci and Saint Laurent. And so, this deal could really shake things up for Valentino.
So, what is the legacy of Valentino sunglasses, and what will they become?
The History of Valentino
Valentino Garavani found his footing in the fashion world by apprenticing at Guy Laroche and Balenciaga. After spending some time in Paris, he returned to his native Italy in 1960 to establish his own studio.
The signature style of Valentino became the sultry red dress. It was an explosion of femininity and empowerment, which was reflected in the rest of the collections.
Valentino Eyewear
In 2017, Valentino signed a deal to create eyewear with EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear manufacturer. They hold major licenses to create eyewear for brands including Chanel, Burberry, and Giorgio Armani, among others.
Since the eyewear licensing deal with EssilorLuxottica expired, Valentino sunglasses and eyewear have found a home with Kering.
The Kering Eyewear Deal and New Styles
When talking about the new licensing deal with Kering Eyewear, the CEO of Valentino said, “We are delighted to announce this strategically important partnership with Kering Eyewear. Marrying Maison Valentino’s matchless creativity and iconic style with Kering Eyewear’s unrivalled know-how in luxury eyewear manufacturing and distribution, we will work together to further elevate the Valentino Eyewear experience.”
The advantage of the Kering deal is that Kering Eyewear has direct access to specialized factories in locations like Italy. The collaboration could lead to some exciting new styles and a fresh injection of glamor into Valentino sunglasses and eyewear as a whole.
The new collection is scheduled to be released in March 2026. Before these new sunglasses hit the market, let’s go through some of Valentino’s most popular styles and speculate on what could be next for the brand.
Valentino Sunglasses: Popular Styles and Future Predictions
The general energy, shapes, and colors used in Valentino sunglasses are subtle, flirty, fabulous, and classically chic.
They are not the most flashy, blingy, or futuristic sunglasses on the market, but they are beautifully constructed and stylish. There are lots of cat-eye sunglasses, round shapes, and timeless aviators.
Feminine, Glamorous Valentino Styles
There is something nostalgic about Valentino sunglasses. There are numerous designs that bring back the ’60s and ’70s with shades of brown, touches of gold, and retro shapes.
These Valentino shades feature layers of sumptuous brown, finished off by a subtle logo on the arm. They are perfect for adding a hint of quiet luxury to any outfit.
Thus far, some classic styles of Valentino sunglasses have featured small, minimalist logos and understated designs that are perfect for daily wear.
These recently released, sharp, art-deco-inspired cat-eye sunglasses show that Valentino still values classic styles that speak to their brand heritage.
Modern, Contemporary Valentino Sunglasses
Some styles of Valentino sunglasses in recent collections featured contemporary styles, including chunky frames, semi-transparent colors, and the ever-popular oversized logo.
Although these styles still take inspiration from retro ’70s sunglasses, they have a modern edge. In recent years, more brands have been designing bold, chunky sunglasses that are made to be noticed.
It marks the shift toward loud, expressive fashion, where people want to buy accessories to make a statement rather than just for practicality.
Other Kering Eyewear brands, including Balenciaga and Chloé, have revamped their eyewear lines to incorporate modern design elements, gold accents, and sleek silhouettes.
These black and gold Chloé sunglasses are bold, yet they would appeal to audiences of all ages. They strike a balance between fun, fashion, and luxury. If Valentino follows suit, next year’s collection may feature more sleek, contemporary styles with unique design features.
Another possibility is more oversized logos, as seen earlier, and similar to the ones brands like Versace and Balenciaga have been implementing on their shades.
There is a chance that the shake-up will mean more popular features that we see on many brands’ sunglasses that are manufactured by Kering.
For example, Kering makes sunglasses for Gucci, and as you can see below, oversized logos have reigned over the past few years.
Retro, Classic Valentino Sunglasses
The current Valentino sunglasses collection features round shapes and aviator styles, reminiscent of icons like John Lennon and Tom Cruise in Top Gun. These styles feature smaller logos and slim, sleek frames.
The round shades below have green-tinted lenses, which shows that Valentino does get experimental, while staying in line with their branding.
The unique sunglasses below are among the more expressive styles that Valentino has recently released. The gold-feathered tassels, paired with the round frames, evoke a Woodstock hippie vibe, but in a designer Italian version!
Under the new Kering Eyewear license, it remains to be seen if there will be more flamboyant styles like the feathered creation, which retails for over $1,000, or if they will streamline the collection and stick to cohesive styles of sunglasses.
TL;DR
Valentino sunglasses could be entering a new season of style and rebranding through the Kering Eyewear collaboration.
- Valentino is an Italian luxury brand renowned for its classic, feminine, and fabulous fashion.
- Valentino eyewear was previously manufactured by eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, but it will now be moved over to Kering Eyewear. The new collection will be launched in 2026.
- The previous collection of sunglasses has featured retro, ’60s and ’70s-inspired styles, including round sunglasses, aviators, and cat-eye shades.
- The designs are a mixture of contemporary, minimalist, and classic, yet glamorous.
- It remains to be seen what direction Kering and Valentino take in the new sunglasses collection. Will they boast more oversized logos and hype pieces, or will they hone in on the Italian luxury vibe?
