SAFILO PARTNERS WITH YVES SAINT LAURENT
TO LAUNCH EYEWEAR COLLECTION


Padua, January 14, 2002: Safilo S.P.A. and Yves Saint Laurent S.A.S, a division of Gucci Group N.V. (NYSE: GUC; Euronext Amsterdam: GCCI.AS) announce today that they have finalized a licensing agreement to develop, manufacture and distribute Yves Saint Laurent branded luxury eyewear. The license agreement will continue until 2007.

The first collection of Yves Saint Laurent’s men and women eyewear, which is developed under Tom Ford’s direction, will soon be ready for a worldwide launch.

Commenting on the agreement, Domenico De Sole, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gucci Group N.V., said: “I am pleased to announce this agreement and the imminent launch of the eyewear line. The timing is perfect, given the outstanding performance of the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche stores around the world and the momentum which is building behind the brand. Eyewear will complement Yves Saint Laurent’s ready-to-wear and accessories, in line with our strategy to reposition and relaunch the brand. I am happy that Yves Saint Laurent is working with Safilo, Gucci’s long-standing partner for eyewear.”

"With this new licensing agreement", said Vittorio Tabacchi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Safilo Group, "we intend to reinforce our presence in the upper segment of the market, thanks to the prestige of the Yves Saint Laurent brand and the Gucci Group’s skill in giving its brands high visibility and consumer awareness. For our part, we will contribute technology, production capacity, and a targeted and experienced distribution system”.
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Founded in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent is a world-renowned luxury goods company. It designs, produces and distributes women's and men's ready to wear clothing and fashion accessories both directly and under license. Since the acquisition in 1999 the company has been a division of Gucci Group N.V., which is listed on the New-York and Euronext Amsterdam stock exchanges.