Marchpole To Produce Full DKNY Menswear Range

A full range of DKNY menswear is in the works, with fashion brand management group Marchpole signing a licensing agreement with Donna Karan International Inc.

The spring/summer 2009 collection, which will be carrying the DKNY Black Label, will be the first offered by Marchpole under this agreement, which is for an initial period of seven years. The range will be offered to high-end department and speciality stores as well as DKNY's own retail network, which includes approximately 60 DKNY standalone stores all over the world.

"I am delighted that we have reached this agreement with the very prestigious Donna Karan International, part of the Louis Vuitton Group and that we will have the opportunity to expand our business in the highly lucrative Far East and Middle East markets," says Michael Morris, executive deputy chairman of Marchpole.

For his part, DKI chairman and ceo Mark Weber said, "This joint venture agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our men's product lines, and marks the next step in the evolution of our business".

To operate the joint venture, a new company has been set up, with Marchpole owning 90%, while DKI owns 10%.

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