Versa Group, a manufacturer and marketer of private label and branded men’s wear, has partnered with Authentic Brands Group to design, produce and distribute men’s woven sport shirts, knit tops and sweaters for ABG’s Jones New York and Nine West brands.
Through the partnership, Jones New York’s men’s assortment will be elevated with performance elements including stretch, moisture-wicking, cooling and UV protection. The Nine West collection will also feature special performance elements such as four-way stretch fabrics with cooling and wicking technology.
Versa has also added a slim-fit cut to the Nine West collection to bring a new element to entice current brand fans and engage with an expanded audience.
“We are looking forward to our partnership with ABG for Jones New York and Nine West, two iconic American brands that are recognized by retailers and consumers around the world,” Marc Seruya, CEO of Versa, said. “Both brands have a strong heritage and a reputation of excellence in quality, fit and design.”
The Jones New York and Nine West collections will debut at a wide range of department stores, specialty retailers and online across the U.S. and Puerto Rico later this month.
“ABG’s partnership with Versa Group, a leader in the men’s wear market, builds upon Jones New York and Nine West’s expansive lifestyle offerings with uniquely designed product for a growing segment of the brands’ businesses,” said Jarrod Weber, group president of lifestyle and chief brand officer at ABG.
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Headquartered in New York City, ABG’s more than 50 consumer brands and properties have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass, and e-commerce channels, and more than 6,000 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops around the world.
WHP and Joseph Abboud
In a separate deal, WHP Global announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with SportLife Brands to design, develop and distribute a new line of men’s and boys’ underwear, undershirts, base-layer, thermals and boys’ sleepwear for the Joseph Abboud brand. The new offering is slated to launch for Spring 2022 and will be available at retail throughout the United States, Canada and select international retailers.
“We look forward to partnering with SportLife as we extend the Joseph Abboud brand into an essential and rapidly growing category in the men’s and boys’ market,” said Stanley Silverstein, WHP global chief commercial officer. “We are especially excited to expand the brand and deliver the hallmark Joseph Abboud comfort, quality and style to our loyal global customers.”
Joseph Abboud offers a modern take on heritage ready-to-wear and customized men’s wear. Combined, Joseph Abboud, Joe Joseph Abboud and Bespoke Joseph Abboud generate over $700 million in global retail sales with product distributed by partners including Tailored Brands, Marchon Eyewear and E-Gluck Watches in the U.S. and Onward Kashiyama in Japan.
WHP Global is a New York-based firm that acquires global consumer brands and invests in high-growth distribution channels, including digital commerce platforms and global expansion. WHP owns Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, and a controlling interest in more than 20 additional consumer brands in the toy and baby categories. WHP manages over $3 billion in retail sales across its portfolio of brands.