For over two decades, Safilo Group - one of the eyewear industry’s key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets - and Special Olympics have been changing lives, one pair of glasses at a time. Now, that mission continues.
The two organizations celebrated the renewal of their long-standing partnership through to 2027 at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, on 8th March 2025. This commitment underscores a shared dedication to inclusive health and vision care for athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide that has stood strong for more than 22 years – and counting. During this period Special Olympics athletes from over the world have received prescription frames and sunglasses provided by Safilo through the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® program. Safilo employees have also been volunteers at Opening Eyes events, where athletes receive essential eye examinations, prescription eyewear, and referrals for follow-up care.
“At Safilo, we believe that clear vision is a fundamental right, not a privilege. For over 20 years, our partnership with Special Olympics has allowed us to bring not just eyewear, but dignity, confidence, and opportunity to thousands of athletes worldwide” said Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “This renewed commitment reaffirms our dedication to inclusion, accessibility, and eye health—ensuring that every athlete has the vision care they need to excel, both in competitions and in daily life. We are proud to continue this journey and to stand alongside Special Olympics in their mission of empowerment. This commitment is part of Safilo’s purpose-led strategy based on three sustainability pillars: planet, product, and people”.
Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis added: “The renewal of our partnership with Safilo is more than just an extension of a collaboration, it is a testament to a shared commitment to health equity for people with intellectual disabilities. Vision care is often an overlooked but essential part of an athlete’s success, and Safilo’s contribution has transformed lives by providing access to screenings, prescription frames, and expert care. As we celebrate this milestone at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, we look forward to expanding our impact and ensuring that every athlete sees a clearer, brighter future ahead.”
About Safilo Group
Safilo is a global player in the eyewear industry that has been creating, producing, and distributing for over 90 years sunglasses, prescription frames, outdoor eyewear, goggles and helmets. Thanks to a data-driven approach, Safilo goes beyond the traditional boundaries of the eyewear industry: in just one company it brings together Italian design, stylistic, technical and industrial innovation, and state-of-the-art digital platforms, developed in its digital hubs in Padua and Portland, and made available to Opticians and Clients for an unmatched customer experience. Guided by its purpose, See the world at its best, Safilo is leading its Group legacy, founded on innovation and responsibility, onwards towards the future.
With an extensive global presence, Safilo’s business model enables it to monitor its entire production and distribution chain. From research and development in five prestigious design studios, located in Padua, Milan, New York, Hong Kong and Portland, to its company-owned production facilities and network of qualified manufacturing partners, Safilo Group ensures that every product offers the perfect fit and meets high quality standards. Reaching approximately 100,000 selected points of sale worldwide with an extensive wholly owned network of subsidiaries in 40 countries and more than 40 partners in 70 countries, Safilo’s well-established traditional wholesale distribution model, which encompasses eyecare retailers, chains, department stores, specialized retailers, boutiques, duty free shops and sporting goods stores, is complemented by Direct-to-Consumer and Internet pure player sales platforms, in line with the Group’s development strategies.
Safilo Group’s portfolio encompasses home brands - Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Blenders, Privé Revaux and Seventh Street. The perpetual license Eyewear by David Beckham. Licensed brands include: BOSS, Carolina Herrera, Dsquared2, Etro, Fossil, HUGO, Isabel Marant, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade New York, Kurt Geiger, Levi’s, Liz Claiborne, Love Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Moschino, Pierre Cardin, PORTS, Stuart Weitzman, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Jeans and Under Armour.
The parent company, Safilo Group S.p.A., is listed on the Euronext Milan organized and managed by Borsa Italiana (ISIN code IT0004604762, Bloomberg SFL.IM, Reuters SFLG.MI). In 2023, Safilo Group recorded net revenues for Euro 1,024.7 million.
