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Phillips-Van Heusen Licenses Free Country for IZOD Outerwear

^{Published on 2009-02-17 08:33:00, Last Modified on 2009-02-17 08:33:54 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (NYSE: PVH) announced today that it has licensed Free Country Ltd., a leading outerwear supplier based in New York, to design, produce and market men's and women's coats and jackets in the United States under PVH's well-known IZOD brand.

Deliveries of Free Country's IZOD outerwear lines will begin in Fall 2009 with distribution focused on leading department and specialty stores in the U.S. and its possessions and territories. The licensing agreement covers the IZOD brand, as well as the IZOD LX, IZOD PFX and IZOD X.F.G. sub-labels. Retail prices are expected to be in the range of $100 to $225.

Collezione SA Corp. continues as PVH's licensee for men's and women's leather outerwear sold in the United States under the IZOD brand. The IZOD brand, with a heritage dating back to the 1930s, is licensed in 24 product categories to 22 companies in the U.S. and five internationally.

Gary Silverman, formerly vice president of sales at Jantzen and Speedo, has joined Free Country as national sales manager of Free Country's new IZOD division. He is based at the company's headquarters at 80 West 40^th Street in New York's Bryant Park area.

"In its almost two decades in business, Free Country has distinguished itself with its thorough understanding of active outerwear and its innovative use of color, fabrics, detail and trim," said Allen Sirkin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen. "It's hard to imagine a better partner than the Free Country team as we continue to expand the IZOD lifestyle into every aspect of sportswear, activewear and related accessories."

Ira Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Free Country, said, "We share with IZOD a heritage characterized by an active, young attitude and emphasis on color and superior value for the consumer. We want IZOD outerwear to bring color and excitement to selling floors too often dominated by charcoal, black and navy."

Free Country was founded by Schwartz in 1990 to market colorful active and casual outerwear for men. Since then, it has expanded into women's and children's outerwear and also into women's sportswear.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation is one of the world's largest apparel companies. It owns and markets the Calvin Klein brand worldwide. It is the world's largest shirt and neckwear company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, unlisted, A Kenneth Cole Production, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Attitude, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and Timberland.