C & C California Adds New Executive
Now that Liz Claiborne Inc. has acquired the hot T-shirt brand C & C California Inc., the small up-and-coming Los Angeles label is on track for expansion.
Recently C & C California named Tadd Zarubica to the new position of vice president and general manager to help turn the company into a global presence. “I am genuinely excited at the opportunity to be part of their expansion into a lifestyle brand with the support and resources of Liz [Claiborne] behind us,” Zarubica said in an e-mail. Liz Claiborne declined to discuss the appointment.
Most recently, Zarubica was president of Yanuk, a high-end jeans line started with the help of Los Angeles’ denim godfather, Paul Guez, who became famous for founding Sasson Jeans in the 1970s. Currently, Guez is the president of Blue Concepts Inc., the parent company of Yanuk, and co-owner of Azteca Production International, which makes blue jeans in Mexico. Designer Ya-el Torbati and Anouk Guez, Paul’s daughter, launched Yanuk in February 2003.
Zarubica began serving as the denim line’s first president in April 2004. He oversaw sales, merchandising, production, exports and brand management and helped launch the company’s U Denim line, which retails from $88 to $98.
Zarubica has a long history of working in the Los Angeles apparel industry. He was president of Hudson Jeans from 2003 to 2004, when he said the Los Angeles company grew from $2 million to $8 million in sales. Since 1998, he has also run an apparel consulting company called TZ Productions. From 1981 to 1993, he was the founder and president of Fantaseas Garment, a juniors sportswear label. He is a faculty member of Otis College of Art & Design.
C & C California is a relatively young company started in 2002 by Claire Stansfield and Cheyann Benedict, who are now co-presidents. Their high-end T-shirts quickly became popular with contemporary customers.
In 2004, C & C California sales totaled about $21 million. Liz Claiborne bought the company early this year for $28 million in cash and future payouts.
Liz Claiborne’s purchase of the business heralds the popularity of California labels in the contemporary market. In 2003, the New York apparel giant purchased Los Angeles line Juicy Couture, maker of hip velour track suits and T-shirts, for $53 million plus future payouts. Liz Claiborne also owns Laundry by Shelli Segal and a majority share of Lucky Brand Dungarees. —Deborah Belgum
