SKECHERS USA, Inc., a global leader in the lifestyle footwear industry, announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with French Craft Leather Goods Co., Inc. to design, produce and distribute a SKECHERS-branded line of leather goods and accessories for men, women and kids. The new line of belts, buckles and wallets will hit retailers in June 2010.
“Over the last 18 years, the SKECHERS brand has grown to become a global leader in lifestyle footwear,” said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. “And now SKECHERS’ brand recognition is bigger than our core product, making this the perfect time to expand our licensing program into new categories. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than French Craft to help SKECHERS meet the needs of our consumers from head-to-toe and beyond.”
“French Craft is excited to be joining the SKECHERS family as a leather goods licensee,” began Andy Fox, president of French Craft. “We’re confident that this line will provide SKECHERS consumers with the perfect way to complement and accessorize the footwear and brand they love so much.”
Embracing the SKECHERS style and image, belts and wallets in the new trend-right collection will be constructed using full grain leather, split leather, suede, cotton, or nylon with a focus on contemporary embellishments and accents. Buckles will be cast in zinc, steel or brass. Additionally, the wallet line will include an assortment of trifolds, bifolds, credit card cases, front pocket wallets, checkbook wallets, pass cases and children’s coin purses.
“French Craft represents a strong addition to our fast growing portfolio of best-in-class licensees,” explained Paul Flett, senior vice president of licensing at SKECHERS. “Through this partnership we will develop synergic accessory products that complement our brand proposition. This ultimately helps us meet increasing consumer demand for SKECHERS across exciting new product categories.”
SKECHERS belts, buckles and wallets will be available in fine independent department, specialty and sporting goods stores throughout the United States and Canada.
In addition to French Craft, SKECHERS has partnered with licensees to produce a wide range of products including children’s apparel, sunglasses, legwear, medical scrubs, backpacks and bags. The Company is currently negotiating with additional licensees both domestic and abroad and continues to seek out partnerships and opportunities that will bring the SKECHERS brand to new product segments around the globe.
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