Core Insights - EssilorLuxottica will have a new leader for its wearable segment starting January, as Rocco Basilico, the current chief wearables officer, is set to exit after six years of developing smart eyewear collections [1][2] Group 1: Leadership Transition - Rocco Basilico has decided to leave the company to pursue personal interests, departing at a time when EssilorLuxottica's position as a category leader in wearables is well established [2] - Basilico joined Luxottica in 2013 and has held multiple roles, culminating in his appointment as president of Oliver Peoples in 2016, where he expanded the brand's global retail presence [2][3] Group 2: Brand Expansion and Collaborations - Under Basilico's leadership, Oliver Peoples opened new boutiques in Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, and Milan, increasing the brand's total store count to 46 as of June [3] - Basilico was instrumental in securing key collaborations, including partnerships with Roger Federer and Khaite, as well as launching a capsule collection with Brunello Cucinelli in 2021 [4] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - Basilico played a significant role in establishing EssilorLuxottica's partnership with Meta, which has been extended to develop the next generation of smart eyewear products following the success of Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses [5][6] - The collaboration with Meta began in 2019, leading to the launch of smartglasses featuring AI technology for both Ray-Ban and Oakley [6] Group 4: Ownership and Family Ties - Basilico holds a 12.5 percent stake in Delfin Sarl, the family investment vehicle of Luxottica's founder, which controls approximately 32 percent of EssilorLuxottica [6][7] - Recent media attention has focused on Delfin and its potential involvement in the sale of shares in the wake of Giorgio Armani's death, as the will named EssilorLuxottica as a potential buyer for a portion of the designer's company [7]