London Fog Umbrellas, Luggage and Footwear to Launch in Fall 2007
NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ICON) ("Iconix" or the "Company") today announced new license
agreements in three core categories; umbrellas, luggage and shoes, for its
newly acquired brand, London Fog. TotesIsotoner ("Totes"), the world's largest
marketer of umbrellas, gloves and slippers, will hold the license for
umbrellas. Leisure Merchandising Corp. ("Leisure") will hold the license for
luggage and Eastman Group ("Eastman") will hold the license for footwear.
London Fog umbrellas, luggage and shoes will be available at better department
stores nationwide in fall 2007.
The Totes agreement is an exclusive multi-year license to manufacture and
distribute London Fog umbrellas in the United States. Totes currently owns 85%
of the market share of department store business for umbrellas and will
distribute London Fog umbrellas through those channels as well as in their
retail stores.
Leisure will hold the multi-year license to manufacture and distribute
London Fog luggage and travel products in the United States. The travel
products will include London Fog suitors, duffel bags and travel accessories.
Eastman will license men's, women's and children's footwear in the United
States as part of a long-term license. The first collection will debut in
December during the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) shoe
show.
Commenting on the new licenses, Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO of Iconix,
said, "We are excited about our three new licenses for the London Fog brand
and look forward to continuing to grow the business into a complete lifestyle
brand. Totes, Leisure and Eastman are leaders in their industries, and their
expertise coupled with our marketing know-how will add great value to the
London Fog brand."
Michael Katz, Senior Vice President of the US Wholesale Division, of
Totes, said, "London Fog traditionally has a strong association to rainwear
and we are confident that our consumers will embrace the new London Fog
umbrellas. We are pleased to be partnering with Iconix on this exciting
endeavor."
Cliff Ensley, President and Founder of Leisure, stated, "We are confident
in our ability to manufacture high quality London Fog luggage that will remain
true to the brand's heritage. London Fog luggage will allow the brand's broad
consumer base to travel with their favorite brand wherever they may go."
Max M. Mizrachi, President of Eastman, stated, "We are excited about our
new partnership for London Fog footwear. We think it's a natural extension of
the brand and look forward to growing the business in the United States."
In the United States, leading outerwear maker Herman Kay holds the London
Fog license for men's and women's outerwear and Amerex (USA), Inc. holds the
children's outerwear license. In Canada, Hudson's Bay Company holds a
multi-year license to manufacture and distribute London Fog apparel,
accessories and lifestyle products in its retail stores the Bay and Zellers.
About Iconix Brand Group:
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a
growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R),
BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R),
MOSSIMO (R) and OCEAN PACIFIC (R). The Company licenses it brands to a network
of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of
retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market. Iconix, through
its in-house advertising agency, advertises and markets its brands to drive
consumer awareness and loyalty.
About TotesIsotoner:
TotesIsotoner Corporation, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the
world's largest marketer of umbrellas, gloves, slippers, and other
weather-related accessories. TotesIsotoner has over 1,000 employees and, in
addition to Cincinnati, has offices in New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Hong
Kong and Manila. In 1997, totes and ISOTONER merged to form the TotesIsotoner
Corporation. The company, which is owned by private equity firm Bruckmann
Rosser Sherrill (BRS.com), offers quality products from two of the most
recognized apparel brand names in the country. Visit www.totesisotoner.com for
more information.
About Leisure Merchandising Corp:
Since 1978 Leisure(TM) has been one of America's largest privately held
manufacturer of luggage and travel goods. Leisure distributes luggage under
the Leisure(TM), American Trucking Case(TM) and Advantage(TM) brands to
department and specialty stores nationwide and internationally. Also Leisure
currently holds the license for Oleg Cassini luggage.
About Eastman Group:
Eastman Group was founded 21 years ago and has become one of the largest
and fastest growing footwear importers in the world. Their corporate office is
in New York City with satellite offices in China and Hong Kong. Eastman
designs and markets an extensive range of men's and women's footwear under
several nationally recognized major brands, including Via Spiga, Liz
Claiborne, Bill Blass and Totes.
Contact: Maria Dolgetta
Public Relations Director
212.819.2084
mdolgetta@iconixbrand.com
SOURCE Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
-0- 11/14/2006
/CONTACT: Maria Dolgetta, Public Relations Director, +1-212-819-2084,
mdolgetta@iconixbrand.com/
/Web site: http://www.totesisotoner.com /
(ICON)
CO: Iconix Brand Group, Inc.; TotesIsotoner; Leisure Merchandising Corp;
Eastman Group
ST: New York
IN: TEX HOU FAS
SU: LIC
EM
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0883 11/14/2006 08:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com