EYE TO EYE: Fans of retired tennis star Roger Federer won’t see him on the courts as much, but he’s increasingly visible in the style field.

The athlete, who’s a friend of Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, is certainly one of the 2023 Met Gala co-chairs. Meanwhile, eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica announced on Thursday it had inked an exclusive global license cope with Federer for the design, manufacturing and global distribution between his brand and the Oliver Peoples label. The duration of the agreement was not disclosed.

In a press release, Federer said he’d been a fan of Oliver Peoples for years and located “great commonality” in how each parties approach their respective fields.

The primary designs are expected to be released in spring 2024 and can draw their inspiration “from their shared dedication to excellence in a single’s craft and appreciation for understated luxury.”

EssilorLuxottica chairman and chief executive officer Francesco Milleri deemed him “a legendary athlete, a passionate entrepreneur, and a force within the worlds of fashion and lifestyle,” calling him the “perfect partner” for the group and brand.

Federer invested in Swiss running shoe brand On in 2019, where he has input on his own line. An extended-time Rolex ambassador — he first signed on in 2006 and renewed the deal in 2016 — the tennis star has also worked with the likes of Nike, Wilson and Uniqlo.

For Oliver Peoples CEO Rocco Basilico, Federer’s prominence and cultural impact are “legendary and reach beyond the world of tennis.” He was the primary male player to win greater than 14 Grand Slams and was ranked No.1 for 310 weeks — that’s nearly 6 years — by the Association of Tennis Professionals.