Hot Kiss Signs Canadian Licensing Agreement
Los Angeles-based Hot Kiss announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Montreal-based Fame Jeans to produce and distribute the junior sportswear label in Canada.
In recent months, Hot Kiss has increased its product mix with a range of licensing agreements including eyewear with New York-based Pan Oceanic; a shoe license with St. Louis-based Brown Shoe Co.; handbags, belts and leather goods with New York-based Pacific Connections; swimwear with Los Angeles-based Manhattan Beachwear.
The company is also working with Van Nuys, Calif.-based Cherokee Group to broker licensing agreements in Europe, Asia and South America.
Hot Kiss’ collection will be offered for Back-to-School 2002 at Toronto-based department store the Bay (which quietly tested the line for Summer) as well as specialty chains and boutiques.
Fame Jeans specializes in branded and private-label denim for kids, tweens and juniors.The company, which employs 65 workers at its 150,000-square-foot facility in Montreal, produces private label for 725, B.U.M. Equipment and Request.
The agreement includes production of all categories that Hot Kiss produces in the United States, including sportswear and denim, said Melamdowitz.
Additionally, Hot Kiss will design a new collection for Fame Jeans called First Kiss, which will have similar styles, but will be offered at lower price points. The new collection willbe available to Canadian retailers for Back to School 2002, said Melamdowitz.
Fame Jeans vice president Clive Melamdowitz said the new partnership came at the right time for his company.
“There is a need for moderately-priced junior clothing in Canada’s apparel market. Our strength as a [manufacturer] is in our ability to market our products to major retailers in Canada,” he said. —Claudia Figueroa
