Demand for plus-size women’s clothing is expected to increase strongly through 2019, according to researcher Ibis World, due to factors including rising per capita disposable income, a decline in healthy eating, greater designer collaboration, and greater availability of premium products. The trend is showing up in licensing: In November, plus-size fashion retailer Torrid will … [Read more...] about Larger Fashion Lines a Plus for Retailers
Celebrity
Reese Witherspoon Launches Her Brand
Instead of simply endorsing or licensing their name and likeness for a product, many of today’s celebrities are putting up their own money seeking to build and own their personal brands. Victoria Beckham, Justin Timberlake (William Rast), gwen stefani (L.A.M.B.), and Jay-Z (Rocawear) are just a few who’ve made the entrepreneurial model work. Actress Reese Witherspoon is no … [Read more...] about Reese Witherspoon Launches Her Brand
Pop Goes 24 Hour Fitness
Speaking of girl power, fitness maven Cassey Ho is the latest digital celebrity to heighten her profile through licensing. 24 Hour Fitness is working with the fitness instructor and YouTube personality to roll out her POP Pilates regimen in its fitness clubs nationally. Ho’s Blogilates claims to be the No. 1 female fitness channel on YouTube, with 2.1 million subscribers and … [Read more...] about Pop Goes 24 Hour Fitness
Target’s Pulitzer Problem
It seemed a major coup for mass merchant Target to have signed high- end designer Lilly Pulitzer for an exclusive fashion and home line. But it wasn’t all triumph for “Tar-jay” when the 250-piece Lilly Pulitzer collection launched April 19. Within hours (and in some stores, minutes), crazed customers had plucked the shelves clean. Online traffic was so great that Target’s … [Read more...] about Target’s Pulitzer Problem
Smell of Success
A pair of world famous celebrities are celebrating 10 years of fruitful fragrance licensing collaborations with the release of special 10th anniversary limited edition products that are both currently available: Instinct gold edition celebrates the tin anniversary of instinct, a collaboration between David Beckham (XIX Entertainment) and licensee Coty that has sold over 10 … [Read more...] about Smell of Success
Grumpy Cat Grows Her Brand
Digital celebrity Grumpy Cat continues to ride the cyber wave by making new license agreements with Dynamite Comics for a new comic book series to launch later in 2016, a kids’ activity app (Playrific) scheduled for the summer, and a gift line (Bay Northwest) for specialty shops in the Pacific Northwest. … [Read more...] about Grumpy Cat Grows Her Brand
Left Shark Hits Shelves
Less than a month after her attorneys put Shapeways’s unlicensed Left Shark figurines out of business, Katy Perry (Bravado Intl. Group Merchandising Services) has launched her own, official products featuring the choreographically clutzy fish that became an instant Internet sensation during the Super Bowl halftime show. There are two official Left Shark offerings: a print … [Read more...] about Left Shark Hits Shelves
Who Owns the Left Shark?
The loveable, rhythmically challenged “Left Shark” who stole the show during the Katy Perry Super Bowl halftime performance is at the center of a legal battle. Perry claims the dancing (and we use that term loosely) sea creature is her copyrighted intellectual property and sued Shapeways for selling Left Shark figurines without a license. Shapeways backed down but doll … [Read more...] about Who Owns the Left Shark?
Trisha’s Southern Home
Country music artist, cookbook author and Food Network star Trisha Yearwood is moving out of the kitchen with her first line of furniture, Trisha Yearwood Home Collection, in partnership with Klaussner Home Furnishings. The line, described as “combining warm, southern style with a classic twist,” will debut at the High Point International Market in High Point, N.C., next … [Read more...] about Trisha’s Southern Home
Celebrities v. Licensees in Court
Celebrity licensing deals are like marriages: Some succeed but many end in divorce, recrimination and litigation. Here's a Scorecard summarizing some high profile cases from recent years. LICENSEE WINS Selena Gomez v. Adrenalina (2011-2013) Situation: Adrenalina sues Gomez for allegedly not supporting a personally-branded perfume line it spent $2 million to develop. Outcome: … [Read more...] about Celebrities v. Licensees in Court