The Jil Sander Group has signed a licensing deal with Italian shoemaker Iris SpA to create men’s and women’s shoe collections starting with the spring/summer 2010 collection.

The agreement will give Iris the exclusive global license to manufacture and distribute the range. The new collection is being developed by Sander creative director Raf Simons and his design team in collaboration with the product development of Iris. The collection will be presented in the Jil Sander showrooms as well as in Iris sales offices in Milan, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

“This new license is the next strategic step since we are part of the Onward/Gibo Group,” said Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of the Jil Sander Group. “After the successful establishment of our own accessory design division, our focus is on increasing the efficiency by using the excellence and know-how of Iris. This synergetic alliance will strengthen our presence on the existing markets and will give us new access to develop emerging markets.”