Italia Independent

Italia Independent is an Italian eyewear brand launched in 2007 by Lapo Elkann, Andrea Tessitore and Giovanni Accongiagioco. Now owned by the eyewear company Modo, it makes sunglasses and optical frames made in Italy.

What is Italia Independent?

Italia Independent is an Italian eyewear brand known for sunglasses and optical frames. It was launched in 2007 at Pitti Uomo in Florence by Lapo Elkann, Andrea Tessitore and Giovanni Accongiagioco, and its original holding company, Italia Independent Group, was based in Turin.

History

The holding company was set up in 2008 and opened its first showroom in Milan in 2009, where clothing collections were also shown. The group listed on the AIM segment of the Italian Stock Exchange in June 2013. Besides the eyewear label, the group also ran businesses such as Independent Ideas and Care Label.

The original group later went into liquidation, and the brand was acquired by Modo, the eyewear company led by founder and chief executive Alessandro Lanaro. The first Italia Independent collection under Modo's ownership was presented for spring/summer 2024, manufactured in Italy and intended for sale worldwide.

Products and positioning

• Sunglasses
• Optical frames
• Collections made in Italy for the optical trade

Under Modo, the stated aim is to reconnect with the community the brand built among opticians and consumers.

Why it matters

Italia Independent is a case of a founder-led lifestyle brand being taken over by a specialist eyewear company, a pattern that shows how brand equity can outlive its original corporate structure when it is placed in an established optical distribution business.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Italia Independent?

Italia Independent was founded by Lapo Elkann together with Andrea Tessitore and Giovanni Accongiagioco, and launched in 2007.

Who owns Italia Independent?

The brand is owned by the eyewear company Modo, which presented its first Italia Independent collection for spring/summer 2024.

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