Body Glove Launches Active Sportswear
In the ’80s, Body Glove International created a zip-up neoprene swimsuit for women. Now the Redondo Beach, Calif.-based surfwear manufacturer is preparing to launch a women’s fitness division for Spring 2004.
The company signed a six-year licensing agreement with Los Angeles–based fitness apparel maker Yknot. Business partners Lance Zuckerbraun and Nina West launched the company earlier this year to license the Body Glove fitness apparel line for young women.
“Body Glove is excited to continue a very successful existing relationship with Lance Zuckerbraun, formerly the vice president of worldwide sales of our consumer electronic accessory licensee, and to add a very talented designer, Nina West, the president and designer for Noelle Handbags [of Venice, Calif.],” said Body Glove President Russ Lesser. “Between the two of them, they make up an incredible team launching one of our newest licensees, Women’s Fitnesswear. We welcome both of them as Body Glove brand ambassadors.”
Zuckerbraun will serve as Yknot’s president and manager of operations, and West will design the line.
Body Glove’s fitness line is divided into two segments: Body Glove Knockout and Body Glove Chic.
Body Glove Knockout is for women between the ages of 18 and 55 who work out on a regular basis. With wholesale price points starting at $11, the 35-piece collection will feature nylon/Lycra track suits made with twosided mesh details, yoga pants with contrast waistbands, reversible racer-back sports bras and bra tank tops with faux wraps.
Body Glove Chic, which offers tailored activewear that can be worn to the gym or out on the town, targets mature customers between the ages of 25 and 55. “We created a pair of stretchy cargo pants that you can actually work out in,” West said.
Wholesale price points range from $14 for a basic T-shirt to $43 for a Mandarin-collar jacket.
Both lines come in sizes XS to L. “The collections are sized for the average American woman, not for an L.A. physique,” West said.
In keeping with Body Glove’s surf roots, Zuckerbraun and West worked with a fabric mill in Taiwan to develop moisture-wicking fabrics and antibacterial yarns that contain UV blocking.
The line bows this week at specialty boutiques, including Fred Segal Emphatic in Santa Monica, Calif., and ProFit in Redondo Beach. Both lines will be targeted to existing sales channels as well as better department stores. Beginning in December, both lines will have a soft launch at select Macy’s stores on the West Coast, Zuckerbraun said.
Zuckerbraun said the company will market the lines by finding sponsors in the actionsports world and by placing ads in fashion publications such as Self, Marie Claire and Shape.
Additionally, several road representatives are targeting select specialty boutiques that focus on fitness, said Zuckerbraun. Yknot will show both lines at its Los Angeles showroom. For more information, call (213) 327-0069.
—Claudia Figueroa
