Antonio Bortuzzo.

NEW YORK—Long-time optical eyewear industry executive, Antonio Bortuzzo, has joined Kering Eyewear, a division of luxury fashion company Kering (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP) as the head of the Americas for the company, VMail has learned. Kering Eyewear is gearing up later this year and into next year with the establishment of its own directly-controlled international eyewear business.

Massimo Renon, global head of sales for Kering Eyewear, said, “Kering is pleased to announce that Antonio Bortuzzo has joined the company. We are excited to welcome Antonio, a leading professional in this industry, to lead the growth of our business in this strategic region and who will greatly contribute to the achievement of our objectives.” Renon added that Bortuzzo, who will oversee Kering Eyewear’s activities in North and South America, will be based in New York.

Bortuzzo has been involved in the eyewear business for some time. He was most recently president of Viva international Group, just prior to that group being acquired by Marcolin Group in Oct. 2013. His prior roles included CEO of Alain Mikli International, as well as serving as CEO of eyewear wholesaler Allison S.p.A and general manager of Marcolin Group prior to that.

The transition of brands formerly licensed by Kering in the eyewear industry had previously been announced, as VMail reported in September 2014, when Kering made the strategic decision to move away from a licensing approach to develop its own global portfolio of luxury and sport & lifestyle brands in eyewear and sunwear. Kering said it will fully control the eyewear value chain, from design to product development and supply chain, and from branding and marketing to sales. Kering Eyewear CEO is Roberto Vedovotto, former CEO of Safilo Group, who joined Kering in November 2013.

Kering is a world leader in apparel and accessories and develops an ensemble of powerful luxury and sport & lifestyle brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Qeelin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra, Electric and Tretorn.