NEW YORK, Jan 16, 2002/ --- Gucci Group unit Yves Saint Laurent will soon launch a luxury eyewear line.

The Gucci division and Italian eyewear producer Safilo said today that they have finalized a license agreement, good through 2007, to develop, manufacture and distribute the new eyewear. The first collection of men's and women's eyewear is being overseen by Tom Ford and will soon be ready for worldwide launch, the company said.

"Eyewear will complement Yves Saint Laurent's ready-to-wear and accessories, in line with our strategy to reposition and relaunch the brand," Gucci Group President and CEO Domenico De Sole said in a statement. "I am happy that Yves Saint Laurent is working with Safilo, Gucci's long-standing partner for eyewear."

Gucci acquired Yves Saint Laurent in 1999 and has taken a number of steps to relaunch the brand. It has ended numerous licenses, taking direct control of key accessories categories like shoes and leather goods, and has tripled the number of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche stores in the world.

Gucci said that directly operated retail sales of Yves Saint Laurent posted 178 percent growth in December 2001 over the same period last year.