NexCen Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXC), owner of the Bill Blass brand, has
entered into a licensing agreement with Peerless Clothing in preparation
for the re-launch of the Bill Blass Men’s
Collection of tailored clothing. The new collection is being designed by
Michael Bastian, the creative director for Bill Blass Menswear. Michael
is a nominee for the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)
Menswear Designer of the Year award.
“The team we are assembling to create the Bill
Blass Men’s Collection is a perfect example of
how we are executing our business strategy,”
said NexCen CEO Robert W. D’Loren. “The
incredibly talented Michael Bastian joined us in July to design the
entire Men’s Collection. We are now teaming
with Peerless to provide Michael with the premier supplier and
distributor of men’s tailored clothing in
North America. With Michael’s design talent
and Peerless’ high quality production, the
re-launch of Bill Blass Menswear is shaping up to be an extraordinary
event.”
Peerless will produce men’s tailored
clothing, including suits, sport coats, trousers, overcoats, raincoats,
and tuxedoes. The collection will be marketed to luxury specialty stores
in North America and select international accounts. The initial term of
the agreement is from April 2008 through the end of 2013, with an
additional five-year renewal option.
“We are excited about this creative
collaboration with Michael Bastian to re-launch the Bill Blass Men’s
Collection,” said Alvin Segal, CEO & Chairman
of Peerless Clothing. “We look forward to our
partnership with NexCen.”
Bill Blass Holding Company was acquired by NexCen Brands in February
2007. The men’s line is being re-launched
under Mr. Blass’ original concept of creating
clothing that stands for “Timeless Style –
Modern American” fashion, as interpreted by
Michael Bastian.
About NexCen Brands (www.nexcenbrands.com)
NexCen acquires and manages global brands, generating revenue through
licensing and franchising. We currently own and license the Bill Blass
and Waverly brands, as well as seven franchised brands. Two franchised
brands – The Athlete’s
Foot and Shoebox New York – sell retail
footwear and accessories. Five are quick-service restaurants –
Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo’s, Pretzel
Time, Pretzelmaker, and Great American Cookies.
The company licenses and franchises its brands to a network of leading
retailers, manufacturers and franchisees that generate $1.3 billion in
retail sales in more than 50 countries around the world. Our franchisees
operate approximately 1,900 franchised stores. Franchisee support and
training is provided at NexCen University, a state-of-the-art facility
located in Atlanta.
About Bill Blass (www.billblass.com)
Founded by William Ralph Blass in 1970, Bill Blass defines “Timeless
Style – Modern American”
fashion. From its inception, the Bill Blass brand has offered men and
women modern, sophisticated and tailored clothing. The company remains
true to its design heritage by favoring the always fashionable over the
fleetingly trendy, making Bill Blass an internationally recognized brand.
Today, the Bill Blass brand flourishes, while providing contemporary
apparel, home furnishings, and accessories for the discerning man and
woman.
About Peerless Clothing (www.peerless-clothing.com)
Peerless Clothing Inc. was founded in 1919 and was grown by CEO &
Chairman, Alvin Segal, to become one of the largest suppliers of men’s
and boy’s tailored clothing to almost every
major department and specialty store retailer in the United States. Its
stable of designer labels for both men and boys continues to be the
biggest area of growth and the trend for the future. Peerless is
currently the manufacturer for LAUREN Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, IZOD,
DKNY, ck Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors amongst other designer labels.
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