Calvin Klein announces a strategic license agreement
Calvin Klein, the company wholly-owned by the Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, has entered into a license agreement with Fingen SpA relating to the bridge line of accessories and clothing for men and women to be distributed with the ck Calvin Klein label throughout Europe and the Middle East.
The new agreement includes the opening of 50 ck Calvin Klein freestanding stores in Europe and the Middle East during the first five years. The entire range of bridge products and the Calvin Klein Jeans line will be available at these outlets.
In spring 2006, the bridge line of clothing is expected to be launched in selected department stores throughout the area along with the launch of ck Calvin Klein accessories which include small leather articles, bags, gloves and belts.
Fingen has been linked to CKI for some time following the license agreements entered into with associate companies CK Jeanswear Europe S.p.A. and CK Jeanswear Asia Limited for jeanswear in Europe and Asia, respectively. The licensee will have a ck Calvin Klein showroom at Calvin Klein Europe in Milan.
The European distribution of ck Calvin Klein is the company's first step toward fostering the brand's repositioning at world level. Currently, CKI has entered into an agreement with Club 21 in Asia for men's and women's sportswear, men's suits (made-to-measure) and accessories, men's and women's shoes, handbags and small leather items with the ck Calvin Klein logo. In 2003, Club 21 opened various freestanding stores and plans to open 15 outlets before end 2005 in important markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and China.
Onward Kashiyama will be in charge of the distribution in Japan for the ck Calvin Klein line of men's and women's sportswear, men's suits and accessories, handbags, and the other jewelry and eyewear licenses. Because of the license agreements, at the end of last year CKI introduced ck Calvin Klein womenswear, tailored menswear and a premium denim line to North America; the complete line of eyewear and jewelry will be launched worldwide together with the cK One perfume.
