NexCen Brands And Peerless Teaming To Re-launch Bill Blass Men's Collection

By: NexCen Brands | 0 Shares 86 Reads

May 06, 2008 // Franchising.com // NEW YORK,- 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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