Jil Sander has signed a licensing agreement with the luxury Italian shoe specialist Iris S.p.A for te manufacture and distribution of men’s and women’s shoes by Jil Sander. The fruits of this partnership will be on display and on sale during the spring-summer 2010 season.

This collection, designed by Raf Simons – artistic director of Jil Sander - and taken on by the development team at Iris, will be available in the Jil Sander showroom as well as in Iris showrooms in Milan, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

“This licece is a new strategic step following the integration of Jil Sander within the Onward/Gibo group (the Gibo group acquired Iris in 2005, ed.). After the successful establishment of our own line of accessories, we are going to gain efficiency by calling on the excellence and know-how of Iris. A strong synergy, this alliance will allow us to strengthen our presence in existing markets and open new opportunities for us in emerging markets”, explained Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of the Jil Sander group.

“If the name Jil Sander is before all synonymous with a pure aesthetic, it is still an innovative label, with a strong and distinct identity. It is this particular profile which will assure the appeal and durability of the Jil Sander collection of shoes”, stated Giuseppe Baiardo, CEO of Iris S.p.A, whose group produces and distributes shoes for top lines such as: Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Rochas, Viktor & Rolf, John Galliano, Michael Kors and Véronique Branquinho.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Sarah Ahssen)