MODO Acquires NY Based Eyewear Brand LOWERCASE
MODO has announced the acquisition of Lowercase, a Brooklyn, NY based independent eyewear manufacturer. Lowercase, started by Gerard Masci in 2016, was founded with the commitment of quality craftsmanship in bold retro looks. Like Lowercase, MODO is an independent New York based company with manufacturing capabilities in Brooklyn. MODO will continue to bring the quality and design that Lowercase is known for while expanding the collection through MODO’s manufacturing prowess.
While financial details are private, the acquisition was completed in March and the past few weeks were spent transitioning the brand and manufacturing equipment to MODO’s headquarters and Brooklyn factory.
“I am excited that Lowercase will remain rooted in its approach to making frames in New York City! MODO has a strong track record of producing frames in Brooklyn which is what makes them such a unique fit for Lowercase and our customers. MODO is keeping the in-house manufacturing and NYC DNA which has helped Lowercase standout from the crowd while they will be able to leverage their resources to offer our customers an ever-broader offering. I can’t wait for customers to see what’s in the pipeline!” says Lowercase founder, Gerard Masci.
“The acquisition adds breadth to MODO’s portfolio of brands offered to the independent optical channel. While MODO is a leader in both innovation and sustainability, the Lowercase brand expands our reach into luxury and specialty shops. We fell in love with the Lowercase brand, the Lowercase team who has transitioned over to MODO, as well as the innovation the Lowercase production line offered.” said Rebecca Giefer, CEO, Modo Americas, “and now the work to support the Lowercase customer base is our focus and priority.”
“Lowercase & MODO share similar NY based roots with an entrepreneurial spirit, craftsmanship & attention to design. The opportunity to bring an amazing independent brand into the MODO family was an exciting one and we are ready for the next chapter for both Lowercase & MODO.” - MODO Group CEO, Alessandro Lanaro.
ABOUT MODO
MODO was born in 1990 in SoHo, New York, under the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Alessandro Lanaro. Since its beginning, MODO has evolved into a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes a successful portfolio of house, designer, and contemporary lifestyle brands – all under the common denominator of design and innovation. Brands include MODO, Eco, & Derek Lam 10 Crosby. MODO is a global company with offices in New York, Milan, and Stockholm.
Today MODO drives the eyewear industry’s effort in sustainability and social responsibility. With initiatives such as producing frames with 95% recycled content or bio-based materials with our carbon negative Eco brand, planting over 3.3 million trees Eco’s One Frame - One tree program, or sponsoring the vision care for over 1.3 million children with MODO’s Buy a Frame - Help a Child See program, MODO is a pioneer in merging style and purpose.