Gentle Monster

Gentle Monster is a South Korean eyewear brand that creatively merges fashion and functionality, offering high-end sunglasses and optical frames designed to appeal to style-conscious consumers. Founded in 2011 in Seoul, South Korea, Gentle Monster is a designer and retailer of high-end eyewear. The company was established by Han-kook Kim, who has an extensive background in the fashion industry. Recently, KNet Investment Partners exited its stake in the company.

Gentle Monster has achieved a total of 7 deals and raised a total of KRW 200,000 mn in funding, with the latest round being a Trade Sale led by EssilorLuxottica. Gentle Monster specializes in the design and retail of high-end eyewear, including sunglasses and optical frames, known for their unique aesthetics and innovative designs. The brand caters to a diverse clientele through a direct-to-consumer model via their official website and physical retail locations in key global markets such as the United States, South Korea, China, and various European countries. In addition to eyewear, the company collaborates with artists and designers for limited-edition eyewear collections to enhance brand appeal and customer engagement.

In 2022, Gentle Monster generated revenue of KRW 318,419,661. 7 with an EBITDA of KRW 82,848,290. 3. Revenue is driven by direct sales of luxury eyewear products, including popular collections like the 2025 Collection and Pocket Collection, through both online and physical stores, further enhanced by promotional campaigns and exclusive collaborations.

Gentle Monster plans to expand its product offerings with new designs expected to launch in the coming year. The company aims to enter additional markets in Europe and Asia by mid-2024, leveraging recent funding from the Trade Sale to support these initiatives and enhance its production capabilities. The strategic focus will include increasing brand presence through innovative collaborations and expanding retail locations in targeted regions.