Universal Blue Partners With Distributor
Universal Blue, owner of the Blue Cult, Blue Cult Elite, Sacred Blue and Blue 2 denim brands, announced June 6 that it has signed a partnership agreement with nZania LLC, an Irvine, Calif.–based manufacturer and distributor.
The deal gives nZania, which manufactures and licenses lines for Disney, Levi’s/Warhol, junior brand BB Dakota and Dr. Seuss, exclusive rights to distribute Blue Cult, Blue Cult Elite and Sacred Blue jeans in the United States. nZania also will manage sales for Universal Blue’s three contemporary denim brands and will spearhead all of the company’s warehousing, shipping and customer service operations. Additionally, junior denim brand Blue 2 will be licensed to nZania, which will begin shipping new product for the line in October.
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring the contemporary denim category to our business,” said Greg Garrerr, nZania’s vice president.
The move lets Universal Blue get back to what it does best: design blue jeans. The company will retain sole design and manufacturing rights for the three contemporary brands.
“We are thrilled about the partnership,” said Caroline Athias, co-founder of Universal Blue. “We are looking forward to the continued growth of our brands that will be enhanced by this newly minted relationship.”
The partnership’s announcement comes after months of speculation that Universal Blue was quietly looking for investors. The company had been plagued in prior seasons with late shipments and slow sales.
Athias denied the rumors, saying the 3-year-old company was simply reorganizing its staff and revamping its lines.
—Erin Barajas
