Italia Independent S.p.A. is an Italian company that produces and distributes eyewear and sunglasses. The group is also active in the field of communication through the agency Independent Ideas.

History

The brand Italia Independent was founded in 2007 by Lapo Elkann, Andrea Tessitore and Giovanni Accongiagioco.

With the promotion and the launch of the first model of sunglasses made entirely of carbon fiber, handmade in Italy and presented at the Pitti Uomo in Florence. In the same year, the three founders of the company created the agency Independent Ideas.

In 2008, Italia Independent Group was founded, the holding company of the various business activities in the eyewear, design and communication. On 28 June 2013, Italia Independent Group was listed on the AIM segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, the market for tiny-sized Italian companies, with code IIG.

The company sells its products in about 70 countries, operating through brand stores, subsidiaries, agents, and through a network of distributors.

Italia Independent, the design company, is entirely owned by its holding company, Italia Independent Group. The holding debuted in the Italian Stock Exchange in 2013. Italia Independent is most famous for their sunglasses made in carbon fiber.

Italia Independent launched on January 9, 2007 during Pitti Uomo. The first project presented was one of the first sunglasses with the frame entirely made in carbon fiber. In 2008 Italia Independent was acquired by Italia Independent Group, created to manage new divisions of the company. Italia Independent Group debuted in the stock exchange in 2013. In 2009 opened the brand's first showroom in Milan with sunglasses' and clothing's collections. During the last few years Italia Independent established its presence in Italy and around the world with more openings and debuted in the USA with a new opening in New York in early 2015.


Technology

Italia Independent is the first sunglasses manufacturer to use carbon fiber for fashion purposes, and the first to create sunglasses's frame entirely made of carbon. In recent years, they utilized innovative technology such as thermosensitive fiber and microfiber linings, for which the company received an award from MIT Technology Review. The Italian scientific committee of the Italian edition of the magazine, led by Romano Prodi, recognized I-Thermic and UV Lux as cutting-edge treatments for eyewear. The former allows eyewear to change color in high temperatures, while the latter gives glasses frames a velvety look.

Collaborations

Italia Independent collaborated as the design partner with: