Hot Kiss Launches New Line
Hot Kiss Inc. Corp., based in Los Angeles, is growing beyond its juniors business by launching a new contemporary sportswear brand aimed at specialty shops and better department stores.
Called Jak & Rae, the 80-piece collection is designed by Joe Pham and Stacia Diamond, who previously worked at Zinc and Juicy Couture. The company said it plans to introduce feminine-fitted jackets, cuffed trousers and fine-gauge sweaters, among other items.
In contrast to Hot Kiss’ eponymous line, which is trendy and targeted at 17- to 20- year-old women, Jak & Rae will focus on a slightly older and more sophisticated consumer who is willing to spend more for pieces that display vintage details, quality tailoring and special fabrics such as Japanese denim, a spokesperson said. Wholesale prices for Jak & Rae will run from $39 to $129.
Jak & Rae will ship on March 30 for Spring 2005. The company declined to list buyers.
Separately, Hot Kiss struck a deal to distribute its juniors and girls’ apparel, accessories and footwear exclusively through Liwa Trading Enterprises LLC in nine countries in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed. The deal was brokered through Cherokee Inc., based in Van Nuys, Calif. Larry Sass, senior vice president at Cherokee, said Hot Kiss will be able to open stores under its own banner in those countries. —Khanh T.L. Tran
