Within hours of each other, footwear brands Steve Madden and Converse announced that they’re expanding their product lines with one branching out in to hosiery, and the other signing a deal with Target for a diffusion collection.
Steven Madden are branching out from fashion footwear and accessories to hosiery in a new licensing agreement that gives Gina Group the exclusive right to design, manufacture, market and distribute a collection of hosiery under the Steve Madden and Steven brands.
“We are excited to be working with Steve Madden to create a hosiery and legwear line that reflects its consistent trend-right styles,” said Paul Kubie, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Gina Group. “This collection will be ideal for the fashion-forward consumer looking for style and comfort.”
Meanwhile Converse and Target are set to launch ‘One Star’ exclusive sportswear and footwear in an innovative new partnership. The One Star collection will include vintage inspire sports lifestyle clothing and footwear for men and women, which will include jeans, trousers, knits, graphic tees, sweaters, dresses, outerwear and footwear.
“We are thrilled to bring Converse One Star products exclusively to our guests in new and exciting ways, and we look forward to creating a unique in- store experience that embodies the One Star lifestyle,” said Gregg Steinhafel, president of Target. “This partnership is another way in which we strive every day to bring our guests differentiated merchandise at a great value.”
The Steve Madden hosier collection will be launched into Steve Madden stores in February 2008, with a stockiest roll out in July. While the One Star collection will launch in Target stores in the US in February 2008 with selected pieces available at Target.com.
