The Licensing Letter

Apparel

Big Fashion Licensors Taking Back Control of their Brands

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. The licensing model is one fashion trend that's unlikely to ever go out of style. But a growing number of fashion licensors—especially the bigger houses—are bucking the trend and taking back direct control of their brands. The most recent example is Puig, the Barcelona-based beauty company and owner of Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances, which earlier this … [Read more...] about Big Fashion Licensors Taking Back Control of their Brands

Pantones Colors Fashion, Décor Pink and Blue

If a color—or two—can reflect the mood of a people, it could be that we're all just lightening up. Color house Pantone has for the first time named a blending of two shades, Rose Quartz (Pantone 13-1520) and Serenity (Pantone 15-3919), as its Color of the Year for 2016. The positively pastel pink-blue combo stands in stark contrast to the hue of 2015: Marsala, a dark, earthy … [Read more...] about Pantones Colors Fashion, Décor Pink and Blue

The Retail Force Awakens: How Much Money Will Star Wars Make?

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Most movie-based entertainment properties have a limited shelf life lasting roughly as long as the film's run. Occasionally, exemplary properties like Cars, Monsters Inc. or Toy Story will drive sales for a few years after the film closes.   But Star Wars is in a universe of its own. There hasn't been a new Star Wars film since 2005. Yet the franchise … [Read more...] about The Retail Force Awakens: How Much Money Will Star Wars Make?

Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals

Hot holiday properties Frozen and Star Wars, and collegiate and NFL licensed merchandise, will be decking the halls of many retailers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Some of the nation's largest retailers over the past week moved to control the flow of information about their Black Friday promotions by "leaking" their own Thanksgiving weekend ad circulars … [Read more...] about Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals

Aéropostale Seeks to Raise Cash with International Licensing

Teen specialty retailer Aéropostale, struggling to turn around sagging sales domestically under threat of delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, is expanding through retail and product licensing deals. By expanding through licensing, Aéropostale is positioned to receive a steady income while its licensing partners covers the majority of costs. The chain … [Read more...] about Aéropostale Seeks to Raise Cash with International Licensing

Licensee Accusation: Asics Deliberately Tried to Drive Us Out of Business

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. What Happened: Asics gave Windsor Financial Group, LLC, financing and exclusive rights to open and operate 13 Asics stores, including flagships in Boston and New York. The deal was supposed to run for 20 years but a couple of years in, Asics terminated the agreement. As a result, Windsor had to close the stores and eat the millions of dollars it had … [Read more...] about Licensee Accusation: Asics Deliberately Tried to Drive Us Out of Business

Lucky Brand Joins Bands

With its recent deal to develop a national apparel and accessories program around classic rock bands KISS, Journey, Def Leppard and others, apparel company Lucky Brand is plugging into a harmonious spot in the more generally discordant market for music licensed products. Lucky's deal with licensing agency Epic Rights will put music brands KISS, Journey, Def Leppard, Billy … [Read more...] about Lucky Brand Joins Bands

California Surfing Brand Quiksilver Files Chapter 11

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. California surfing and skateboard clothing chain Quiksilver Inc. became the latest retailer to file for bankruptcy. The company began licensing the Quiksilver brand in 1976 for wetsuits, helmets and other clothing for "mountain and ocean lovers" and rode the surfing and skating fashion wave of the late 1990s and early 2000s to expansion along with brands … [Read more...] about California Surfing Brand Quiksilver Files Chapter 11

Xcel Designs Nimble Supply Chain for Stores

By Marcy Magiera Xcel Brands, owner and licensor of the Isaac Mizrahi, C. Wonder, H Halston and Judith Ripka fashion brands, is experimenting with new ways to help retailers manage inventory. Under its new Quick Time Response supply chain program, Xcel will design and manage the manufacturing of products under the IMNYC (Mizrahi), H Halston, and C. Wonder Limited brands for … [Read more...] about Xcel Designs Nimble Supply Chain for Stores