NEW YORK— Ann Taylor, a division of ANN, Inc. (NYSE: ANN) has announced the signing of its first ever licensing agreement with L’Amy America for a collection of women’s sunglasses, ophthalmic frames and watches under the Ann Taylor label. L’Amy America, a division of global eyewear group TWC-L'AMY one of the largest fashion accessory companies in France, will design, produce and distribute the product under a multiyear partnership agreement, also marking the first time the Ann Taylor brand will be sold beyond its own retail and ecommerce channels.

The new Ann Taylor sunglass collection is set to debut in May 2013 in all Ann Taylor stores throughout the U.S. and Canada and on AnnTaylor.com and will include nine styles of sunglasses for women. The complete eyewear line, including a selection of ophthalmic frames and high-end readers will roll out to wholesale accounts in the U.S. beginning Spring 2014. The Ann Taylor watch collection is scheduled to launch in Fall 2013 in all Ann Taylor stores and on the brand’s website. Designed in close partnership with Ann Taylor’s head of design, Lisa Axelson, the new collections will capture the chic, smart, sophisticated and timeless aesthetic of the Ann Taylor brand, the company said.

“We are thrilled to enter into our very first licensing agreement with global industry leader L’Amy,” said Brian Lynch, Ann Taylor Brand President. “Their expertise in these two product categories, as well as an intense focus on design and quality, a strong international presence and their outstanding reputation, makes them the right partner to help us begin building Ann Taylor into a complete lifestyle brand. We look forward to being able to offer Ann Taylor clients everywhere a stylish, high-quality assortment of eyewear and watches that are as versatile as their lives.”

Stephen Rappoport, president of L’Amy America, added, “We are extremely pleased to be the first licensing partner for such an influential women’s brand. Ann Taylor has dressed fashionable women for generations and is known for its chic, sophisticated style. We look forward to working with them to further their accessories product assortment through eyewear and watch collections that blend their iconic, feminine look with modern shapes and designs.”

Founded in 1954, Ann Taylor’s rich heritage has always been synonymous with iconic style and fashion for modern working women. The brand has become a style destination for modern women, attracting some of the world's most celebrated style icons as its biggest fans, including United States First Lady Michelle Obama, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie, Diane Kruger, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba and many more. Today Ann Taylor operates 277 stores across the United States, as well as an e-commerce website at www.anntaylor.com, and will open its first two international stores in Toronto, Canada in Fall 2012.

L’Amy America is part of Groupe TWC-L’AMY. Established in 1810, the group develops eyewear for brands such as Bally of Switzerland, Balmain, Carven, Cerrutti 1881, Columbia Sportswear, Kenzo, Nicole Miller, Nina Ricci, Proenza Schouler, Rochas, Sonia Rykiel, Sperry Top-Sider and Ted Lapidus as well as its own house brands. Groupe TWC-L’AMY brings together eyewear, watches, handbags and jewelry under one international accessories company. More information is available at www.lamyamerica.com.