Our history

EssilorLuxottica’s roots are anchored in a centuries-old history covering all aspects of the eyecare and eyewear industry: design, production, distribution and innovation.

With brands such as Essilor (1849), Salmoiraghi & Viganò (1865), Persol (1917), Ray-Ban (1937), Luxottica (1961) and now GrandVision (1891), the Group brings together extraordinary entrepreneurial stories that make it unique. This reunion of long-standing expertise and know-how, along with a legacy of great leadership and design, inspires the Group today and carries it forward for the future.

 

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EssilorLuxottica

2017

Essilor-Luxottica combination announced

2018

Essilor-Luxottica combination completed

2019

Intention to acquire GrandVision announced

2020

Launch of Ray-Ban Authentic (first joint product offering)

Launch of EssilorLuxottica 360 (first joint commercial program)

2021

Launch of Ray-Ban Stories (in partnership with Meta)

Acquisition of GrandVision

Essilor and Luxottica

1849

Creation of the Société des Lunetiers, known as SL then ESSEL

1954

Launch of the first plastic lens, Orma

1959

Launch of Varilux, the first Essilor’s progressive lens

1961

Foundation by Leonardo del Vecchio

1972

Essilor, a merger of two leading names (ESSEL and SILOR)

1975

Listing on the Paris stock market

1988

First license agreement with Giorgio Armani

1990

Listing on NYSE

Acquisition of Vogue Eyewear

1991

Joint-venture with PPG to launch the first organic photochromic lens

1995

Acquisition of Gentex Optics (polycarbonate plastic lenses)

Acquisition of Persol and LensCrafters

1998

Acquisition of EyeMed

1999

Acquisition of Ray-Ban

2000

Joint-venture with Nikon to combine R&D capabilities

Listing on Milan Stock Exchange

2001

Acquisition of Sunglass Hut

2003

Acquisition of OPSM

2004

Acquisition of Cole National

2007

Acquisition of Oakley

2008

Acquisition of Satisloh (Equipment)

2010

Acquisition of Shamir Optical, Signet Armorlite and FGX

2012

Acquisition of Tecnol

2013

Acquisition of Costa and Bolon

Acquisition of Alain Mikli

2014

Acquisition of Transitions Optical

2015

Acquisition of Vision Source, PERC/IVA

Creation of Vision for Life, the largest strategic fund in visual health, to combat poor vision

2016

Acquisition of VisionDirect UK, MyOptique (online) and Photosynthesis Group (sunglasses)

Acquisition of Salmoiraghi & Viganò

2017

Acquisition of Óticas Carol

2018

Acquisition of Fukui Megane

2019

Acquisition of Brille24 (online)

Acquisition of Barberini

 

Leonardo Del Vecchio

Leonardo Del Vecchio (1935-2022)

Entrepreneur at heart, pioneer of the optical industry, Leonardo Del Vecchio was the main architect of the creation of the EssilorLuxottica group and its Chairman until his passing in 2022. Having started as an apprentice, he created Luxottica in 1961, beginning a unique industrial adventure. His life was guided by the desire for independence and integration of the entire industrial chain of eyewear from design to distribution. A visionary, he signed his first license agreement with Giorgio Armani in 1988, anticipating that eyeglasses would evolve from a necessary medical device into a desirable fashion accessory. By purchasing LensCrafters in 1995 and Ray-Ban in 1999, he became the first manufacturer to directly enter optical retail. Finally, by working to bring Essilor and Luxottica closer together, he created an integrated, world-leading group in his sector. Throughout his life, he demonstrated that determination, courage and the pursuit of perfection are key to establishing a leading group. His strong spirit, vision and human values are today hallmarks of the EssilorLuxottica Group.