Brand Matter Signs Long Term Extensions with Key Ellen Tracy Licensees GIII Apparel Group, Komar and Modern Shoe

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brand Matter, LLC, owner of the Ellen Tracy brand, announced today that it has entered into long term contract extensions with key strategic licensees GIII Apparel Group, Ltd {Nasdaq GSM: GIII}, Komar and Modern Shoe. The GIII extension includes women’s coats, dresses and suits and provides the newly added men’s, girl’s and boys outerwear and men’s active wear categories as the Ellen Tracy brand expands into men’s, and also becomes a world-wide license. The Komar extension includes women’s intimates, robes, loungewear, shapewear, daywear and sleepwear and the Modern Shoe extension includes all women’s footwear.

“We have built a strong and profitable business with the Ellen Tracy brand, and look forward to working with the Brand Matter team to continue to grow the business to the next level.”

Rick Platt, President of Brand Matter, said, “We are thrilled to create long term agreements with three of our most important classification Ellen Tracy licensees. These extensions validate our model and bring incremental product to the Ellen Tracy customer. We look forward to many years of continued support and growth from GIII Apparel Group, Komar and Modern Shoe.”

Morris Goldfarb, CEO of GIII, commented “We have been associated with the Ellen Tracy brand for many years and remain excited about the opportunities that exist for this business in the United States as well as internationally.”

Charlie Komar, Komar CEO said “We are one of the newest Ellen Tracy licensees and have experienced immediate success with the brand throughout the territory. Komar is happy to extend our relationship and invest further in this iconic brand.”

Mark Cocozza, Modern Shoe President, added “We have built a strong and profitable business with the Ellen Tracy brand, and look forward to working with the Brand Matter team to continue to grow the business to the next level.”

Ellen Tracy, established in 1949, is positioned as a women’s better fashion brand. It has over 70% awareness in the United States among women. Brand Matter recently signed a strategic partnership whereby Ellen Tracy Bronze Label Better Sportswear is sold in the US exclusively at Macy’s and other classification product categories continue to be sold at Better Department Stores as well as Macy’s. Ellen Tracy has evolved into a lifestyle brand known for sophisticated color palettes and signature prints. Existing licensed categories include better sportswear, footwear, hosiery, eyewear, handbags, cold weather, coats, dresses, suits, women’s fragrances, jewelry, sleepwear, intimate apparel, men’s outerwear and active and luggage. Ellen Tracy is currently launching its newest initiative in the men’s categories.

ABOUT BRAND MATTER

Brand Matter is a diversified brand management and licensing company that specializes in the acquisition, development and licensing of consumer-branded intellectual property. Properties owned include Ellen Tracy, Company Ellen Tracy, Caribbean Joe, Havana Jack Café, CJ Breeze, La Cabana, Periscope and Jamaica Bay. We invest in Brands that maintain a positive emotional connection with consumers. Additionally, we offer strategic guidance in the full spectrum of brand building, marketing and licensing to such World Class Brands as Bombay Company, Carlos Falchi, Field and Stream, Halston, Haspel, Joe’s and Linens N Things. Guided by our expert teams, Brand Matter serves as the catalyst to increase Brand value through innovation, marketing, product extensions and licensing partnerships. We manage and market the licensing of our owned and affiliated brands with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.