British heritage luxury brand Aquascutum announced on Monday that it has signed a five-year licensing agreement with Ittierre S.p.A, a leading Italian company in the manufacturing and distribution of both house and license premium apparel brands. The agreement covers the production and distribution of Aquascutum London’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, for both men and women in Continental Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Photo: Aquascutum

"This partnership reflects the growing demand for iconic British brands such as Aquascutum in the premier fashion cities across Europe, the Middle East and Russia. It complements our ongoing expansion activity in London, via store openings and a growing online presence, our UK manufacturing operations and our ambitions for next phase growth in the Americas", stated Harold Tillman, Chairman of Aquascutum in a press release.

Aquascutum London collections produced by Ittierre S.p.A will debut with the forthcoming Autumn/Winter 2012-13 season.

Aquascutum represents authentic British textile manufacturing branching to Northamptonshire, England where the brand was founded five years before Burberry in 1851 and is this year is celebrating its 160th anniversary.