Stephen Rappoport, president of L’Amy America.
WILTON, Conn. and CARROLLTON, Texas—Stephen Rappoport, president of L’Amy America and Robert Liener, president/CEO of A&A Optical Company have jointly announced a new unique sales and service partnership between the two companies. Emphasizing that the partnership is neither a merger nor an acquisition by either company, they said L’Amy America and A&A Optical Company have agreed to collaborate to significantly grow each other’s market share both domestically and internationally through a sales and service arrangement for certain brands within each company’s portfolio.

Starting this month, the A&A Optical sales team will represent, throughout the U.S. to all independent accounts, the new Ann Taylor ophthalmic/sun and Sperry Top-Sider ophthalmic/sun collections, both of which are brands under worldwide license to L’Amy America. Subsequent customer service support, invoicing, and shipping for those two branded collections will be handled by L’Amy America.

In turn, L’Amy America has started to introduce brands within the portfolio of A&A Optical to many new accounts both in the U.S. and abroad.


Robert Liener, president/CEO
of A&A Optical Company.
“There are strong synergies between both companies,” said A&A’s Liener. We are two independent companies with a broad array of complementary brands and both companies have opportunities to expand our businesses. With this partnership, which we believe is a first of its kind in our industry, L’Amy America is growing by introducing two fantastic brands to the market and A&A will expand through introductions to many new accounts, both nationally and internationally.”

Added L’Amy America’s Rappoport, “Our team is delighted to be working with Robert and his company to ensure a mutually beneficial business relationship. This partnership gives us the opportunity to increase the market share of both companies and our accounts will benefit, too."

L’AMY America is part of Groupe TWC-L’AMY, the largest accessory company in France. Established in 1810, the group develops eyewear for brands such as Ann Taylor, Bally of Switzerland, Balmain, Carven, Cerrutti 1881, Columbia Sportswear, Kenzo, Nicole Miller, Nina Ricci, PFG, Proenza Schouler, Rochas, Sonia Rykiel, Sperry Topsider and Ted Lapidus as well as its own house brands. Groupe TWC-L’AMY brings together eyewear, watches, handbags and jewellery under one international accessories company.

Established in 1971, A&A Optical offers premium eyewear with nine established collections and its company growth has enabled A&A to expand its global product distribution to reach optometrists, ophthalmologists and eyecare retailers throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean. The A&A Optical Company brand portfolio includes house brands: Alexander Collection, XXL, Cruz, Jalapenos, and New Globe along with licensed brands including Quiksilver, Roxy, Jimmy Crystal and Pez.