KENMARK EYEWEAR: A new chapter has begun
- By Clodagh Norton
US eyewear company Kenmark was acquired by Zyloware in September 2025. With Jason Wehlage as CEO, the company now has its sights set on expanding its reach and broadening its established brand portfolio as part of a strong new organization, “built on shared values— American heritage, craftsmanship, and long-standing partnerships.” 20/20 Europe asked Jason to reveal plans ahead and the company’s latest haute eyewear ‘reveal’ with Vera Wangfor Summer 2026 – in Europe.
Q: Kenmark joined Zyloware in September 2025. What does this new chapter mean for the company?
A: This exciting new chapter represents a meaningful evolution for Kenmark. By merging with Zyloware, we’ve created a stronger, more diversified organization built on shared values— American heritage, craftsmanship, and long-standing partnerships. It allows us to scale what we’ve always done well while expanding our reach, capabilities, and brand portfolio. Importantly, it positions us to better serve our customers with greater resources, deeper support, and a more dynamic offering in a rapidly evolving eyewear landscape.
Q: How has the transition process been so far, and what have been the biggest challenges and opportunities?
A: From a transition standpoint, it has been both energizing and detailed—as expected with any integration of two legacy organizations. Our top priority throughout has been continuity: ensuring our customers experience consistency in service, product availability, and relationships. In the background, we have been aligning systems, processes, and teams while continuing to focus on the day-to-day execution. However, that challenge has also provided the opportunity to elevate our product, messaging and service by combining the best practices from both organizations and fostering strong internal collaboration. Once we complete integration onto the same operating platform, it will expand additional product access, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced support for our customers.
We are creating new energy, new ideas, and new pathways for growth. It’s rare to be part of a moment where you’re both honouring a legacy and actively shaping the future at the same time
Q: What excites you personally about this new direction for Kenmark?
A: Having the opportunity to elevate the product in our shared portfolio and shape our future for the next 50 to 100 years. There’s real momentum in combining two respected companies with complementary strengths. We are creating new energy, new ideas, and new pathways for growth. It’s rare to be part of a moment where you’re both honouring a legacy and actively shaping the future at the same time. Kenmark Eyewear has built a legacy of innovation, originality, and craftsmanship through its eyewear collections. Today its portfolio includes world-renowned brands such as Vera Wang, Lilly Pulitzer, Original Penguin, Kensie, Jhane Barnes and Wolverine as well as respected independent collections like Paradigm, Elliott Ives and Valdo.
Q: Will the new partnership influence or change in any way this existing portfolio and the current collections and design direction?
A: Our portfolio remains a core strength and continues to be a point of pride. Brands like Vera Wang, Lilly Pulitzer, Original Penguin, and our independent collections such as Paradigm and Valdo are foundational to who we are. The merger also affords us the opportunity to launch additional elevated collections to the independent market where the direction remains consistent – authentic, design-led, and brand-driven—with an even stronger platform behind it.
Q: For 2026, are there any other particular highlights in terms of collection news at Kenmark?
A: Across our portfolio, 2026 will bring elevated design, stronger storytelling, and collections that reflect both global trends and local market needs. One of the most exciting developments is our continued evolution of Valdo. The brand is carving out a distinct space in the men’s market—balancing modern sophistication with a confident, understated aesthetic. You’ll see a continued focus on refined materials, masculine shapes, and a thoughtful approach to detail which is a hallmark to the brand’s identity.
Q: We understand that Vera Wang is having an important launch this month (May 2026) in London, UK. Can you tell us a bit more about this campaign?
A: Vera Wang recently signed a partnership with Batra Group in the UK, designing and launching a luxury ready-to-wear collection for the UK and European market. In conjunction, our marketing teams have worked on a similar ad campaign as our wild posting in NYC last summer, with a QR code providing direct access to the Sunwear collection. We are excited to support their launch and really build upon the moment the brand is having.
Q: Does the VERA WANG collection continue to offer Couture and Mainline collections and can you give us a taste of the design direction in 2026?
A: For 2026, we continue to expand our Haute and Core collections within Vera Wang. Her design aesthetic is rooted in a tension between softness and edge, pushing traditional femininity toward something more avant-garde through unexpected structure and a moody palette drawn from the darker, quieter side of nature. This sensibility translates seamlessly into her eyewear, where frames balance delicacy with quiet boldness. Layered hues and laminations echo her signature sense of fabric draping and every embellishment is purposeful, enhancing the shape of the frame rather than simply adorning it. The result is a collection for women who dress for themselves and accessorize with intention.
Q: Finally, where do you see Kenmark beyond 2026 and in the next 3-5 years? What key factors will drive sustainable growth for the combined business, Kenmark and Zyloware?
A: Looking ahead, we see Kenmark and Zyloware continuing to evolve as a unified, forward-thinking organization with a strong foundation and a clear sense of direction. Our goal is to be the best American company in the industry. Growth will come from staying disciplined in how we manage and develop our brand portfolio, while continuing to invest in meaningful product innovation and design. Just as important is the strength of our partnerships—remaining deeply connected to our customers and supporting them in ways that create real, long-term value. As we scale, operational excellence will play a critical role, allowing us to be both efficient and responsive in a changing market. Ultimately, our focus is on building a business that is adaptable, resilient, and consistently delivering value—one that not only grows, but grows in a way that is sustainable and aligned with the needs of our partners and the industry.
