In focus: Played in China?

A lawsuit filed in the US by independent eyewear retailer Selima Optique which challenged the validity of Kering Eyewear’s ‘Made in Italy’ origin claims has reignited the debate surrounding manufacturing transparency and whether Chinese production has an unfair stigma attached to it.

Filed at a federal court in Manhattan late last month, the suit claimed Kering Eyewear ‘deliberately and falsely represent that their eyeglasses and sunglasses are “Made in Italy”.’

‘In truth, the defendants’ products, or substantially all parts of their products, are made in China, and (at best) shipped to Italy for final assembly and packaging, and then exported,’ said the company in the documents filed with the court.