Safilo's brand man

With Hugo Boss eyewear coming on board and Marc Jacobs performing well, Safilo UK's sales director Marco Patalano believes the product offering is right. Rory Brogan catches up with him

Safilo has started 2006 with a flourish and an improved financial rating after a 'historic 2005' that saw it re-listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.

First-quarter results this year show a staggering 160 per cent increase in net profit over Safilo's 2005 figure, and the UK has played its part in the improved performance.

One of the main reasons, according to Safilo UK sales director Marco Patalano, is the positive reaction to the company's brands from the start of the year. 'In the past two years Safilo's design department has been reorganised, with different responsibilities among the chief designers for particular brands. We've seen a real improvement from January in terms of quality of models and differentiation in the ranges. The focus on the brands has made a big difference.'