MILAN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Debt-laden Italian eyewear maker Safilo (SFLG.MI) swung to a first-half net loss as sales fell, it reported on Tuesday 4 August, and said it would concentrate on its core business as talks with financial investors had ended.

Dior sunglasses from Safilo

The maker of Gucci and Dior eyewear said in a statement its board had ordered Chief Executive Roberto Vedovotto to "continue to implement all the initiatives to strengthen the group's capital structure".

It said it would carry out all "necessary actions to improve its operating performance" fully supported by its lending banks.

Safilo had postponed publication of its results from July 27 when it said private equity funds had formally withdrawn from talks without presenting any offers.

First-half net sales were 562.1 million euros ($808.9 million) and it made a net loss of 136 million euros, which compared with a net profit of 21.1 million euros a year ago.

Safilo said net debt at the end of June stood at 592.1 million euros, down from 617.7 million euros at the end of March.

Its shares closed down nearly 7 percent at 0.4255 euro before the statement came out. ($1=.6949 euros) (Reporting by Milan newsroom; Editing by Greg Mahlich)