Paris: French eyewear brand Izipizi celebrates 15 years of growth and plans to expand product offerings and geographical reach, with a focus on sustainability, collaborations, and customisation. The company aims to establish a stronger presence in North America and explore opportunities in Asian markets by 2025.
French eyewear brand Izipizi has enjoyed significant growth since its inception 15 years ago, with ambitions to expand further in both product offerings and geographical reach. Established by childhood friends Xavier Aguera, Charles Brun, and Quentin Couturier, the company was formerly known as See Concept until its rebranding in 2017, adopting the name Izipizi—a play on the phrase “easy peasy” that reflects its mission to bring joy to consumers.
As of now, Izipizi boasts a workforce of over 200 employees and operates 25 stores across France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Croatia, and Serbia. Additionally, it has established an impressive global footprint with over 7,000 points of sale at prestigious retailers including Selfridges in London, Isetan in Tokyo, and MoMA Design Store in New York.
Aguera has articulated the brand’s enduring ambition, stating, “Our dream is to be a brand in everybody’s life.” He elaborated on how the name Izipizi was chosen to evoke positivity: “There was no emotion in our former brand name. We picked Izipizi because when you say it, you need to smile. And this is the main spirit of our company. We are here to give smiles to our customers.”
Izipizi began with a focus on reading glasses but has since expanded to include a diverse range of eyewear products, such as sun, kids’, blue light, sport glasses, and accessories. Their latest collection, named Stadium, features reading glasses with a retro-sporty aesthetic. This diversification is complemented by an increasing demand for glasses suited for outdoor activities, such as mountaineering and cycling, with many customers opting to wear these functional glasses as fashionable accessories in everyday contexts.
The brand is also creating waves through collaborative efforts, having partnered with luxury kidswear brand Bonpoint for a vibrant children’s selection, as well as with Moleskine to produce two-tone reading glasses and notebooks. Additionally, a collaboration with clothing brand Engineered Garments has resulted in a unique fashion-forward range, offering ultra-round modern reading glasses with a camouflage finish.
In alignment with global sustainability trends, Izipizi is proactively working to minimise its environmental footprint. Aguera disclosed that the company is investing in bio-based materials, specifically polyamide from castor oil, to lower carbon emissions during production. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, Izipizi received B Corp certification in 2023, sharing its achievements through annual reports on corporate social responsibility.
Despite the competitive landscape, Izipizi is positioning itself as an independent contender among larger eyewear corporations. The brand welcomed private equity firm TowerBrook as a minority investor in 2022, allowing it to maintain its independent ethos while planning for steady growth. Aguera noted, “To create a nice brand, of course, we need to go fast, but also to go right… We have a plan to expand, and we can do it as we are doing now.”
Looking ahead, Izipizi’s expansion plans for 2025 will focus on southern Europe, while also eyeing the U.S. as a crucial market for mid- to long-term growth. Currently, the U.S. accounts for 20% of Izipizi’s total revenues, while Europe represents 60%. In an effort to solidify its presence in North America, the brand appointed Jonathan Crespo as its first chief executive officer for the region. Crespo aims to develop Izipizi’s wholesale and e-commerce strategies, with plans for a retail presence by 2026.
Industry veterans like Ulric Jerome, former CEO of Matchesfashion, are also collaborating with Izipizi to accelerate its global scaling efforts through a digital-first approach.
In addition to geographical expansion, Izipizi is contemplating the introduction of customised products. Aguera acknowledged the challenges in delivering customisation that meets customer expectations while remaining affordable, but confirmed that the brand is actively exploring this possibility.
The company also recently refurbished its flagship store in the Marais district of Paris, originally opened in 2017, to better showcase the brand’s sunny, simple, and smart ethos.
Looking to the future, Izipizi is considering opportunities within the Asian markets, where the demand for styles catering to varying facial structures is on the rise. Positive initial responses have been recorded in markets like Japan, Thailand, and Singapore, while potential remains in the Chinese market, which has yet to be fully penetrated.
Source: Noah Wire Services
