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• The Balenciaga sunwear collection will be distributed in Balenciaga boutiques worldwide, as well as select department stores, sunglass specialty stores including Solstice Sunglass Boutique and independent optical stores, beginning January 2008.
  

• The collection includes 10 sunwear styles all of which are designed for women.
  

• In sum, there are seven plastic styles and three metal styles in the Balenciaga launch collection.
  

• Echoing the futuristic spirit and couture style that distinguishes Balenciaga designs, the eyewear revolves around pure shapes combined with beautifully colored acetate to a more technical brushed metal.
  

• Styles range from oversized vintage and retro shapes to more contemporary wrap around styles.
  

• The styles are offered in a vast variety of colors. Metal styles range from more classic tones of black, white, gold, to more contemporary metallic tones of dark shiny ruthenium, shiny palladium, red, and semi matte blue. Plastic styles include beautiful color combinations of orange/dark purple/crystal, green/dark green/crystal, red/fuchsia crystal, green/blue, violet/rose, vintage havana, brown striated, violet shaded, blue shaded as well as basic black.
  

• Logo detailing includes the double ‘B’ mirrored logo and screws inserted on the ends of the earpieces are a signature feature pf the collection.
  

• Suggested retail pricing $330 - $420 (wholesale range $156 - $196).
  

• Marketing for the collection will include trade and consumer advertising as well as merchandising materials including a logo plaque, 1 place highlighter, 3 place display and a visual box with image.
  

• The Balenciaga sunwear collection includes the following styles: BAL0003n/s, BAL0004/s, BAL0006/s, BAL0007/s, BAL0008/s, BAL0009/s, BAL0011/s, BAL0012/s, and BAL0013/s, BAL0015/s.
  

• “Edition” styles: BAL0003/n/s and BAL0008/s take inspiration from sunglass styles in Balenciaga's archives.
  

• A Balenciaga ophthalmic collection is scheduled to follow in September 2008.

“We are very excited to introduce this newest luxury brand from the Gucci Group family. The Balenciaga sunwear collection is representative of the brand's trendsetting point-of-view and is targeted to a sophisticated group of consumers who appreciate high fashion and unique styling,” said Dick Russo, executive vice president of Safilo USA.

The Safilo Group is worldwide leader in the premium eyewear sector and maintains a leadership position in the prescription, sunglasses, fashion and sports eyewear sectors. Present on the international market through exclusive distributors and 30 subsidiaries in primary markets (U.S.A., Europe and Far East), Safilo distributes proprietary branded collections Safilo, Carrera, Smith, Oxydo, Blue Bay, as well as licensed branded collections, including Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Boss by Hugo Boss, Boucheron, Diesel, 55DSL, Dior, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hugo by Hugo Boss, Imatra, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Oliver, Pierre Cardin, Stella McCartney, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. In addition, the following collections are exclusively for the American market: Fossil, Juicy Couture, Nine West, Kate Spade, Saks Fifth Avenue, Liz Claiborne, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, A/X Armani Exchange and Banana Republic.