MPH.L Regulatory News (MPH)

12 Jun 2007 07:00

Marchpole Holdings PLC12 June 2007 MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC Exclusive Jeans Partnership with Lee Cooper Marchpole Holdings plc, (LSE: MPH), the fast growing fashion brand managementgroup, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary Jean Charles deCastelbajac ("JCC") has signed a long term partnership agreement with Lee CooperInc. ('Lee Cooper'), the global denim brand. Under the terms of the agreement, which is for an initial period of five years,two new designer denim lines will be launched in partnership with Lee Cooper forthe Spring/Summer 2008 season. These will be the only premium denim linesoffered by Lee Cooper. JCC will receive royalties on all wholesale and retailsales. All marketing and development of this venture will be jointly funded. JCC will design the main line, branded "JC-DC". This exclusive collection formen and women, themed around contemporary British 60s rock icons, will targetthe younger end of the market, and initially will be distributed through 250 LeeCooper retail stores and JCC flagship stores worldwide. In total, Lee Cooper hassome 500 retail stores. Alongside the mainline collection JCC will design a high-end denim collection,JC de Castelbajac, with a couture finish and targeting existing JCC customers.This collection will be sold in JCC flagship stores worldwide and also top endLee Cooper stores. Michael Morris, Marchpole Executive Deputy Chairman commented: "We are delightedto sign this agreement with Lee Cooper, one of the world's original denimcompanies. The partnership is yet another step in broadening the customer baseof Jean Charles De Castelbajac, into the lucrative denim market. We believe thatthis partnership is a great cultural and strategic fit for both brands and welook forward to a long and successful relationship with Lee Cooper." - ends - For further information, please contact: Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial 020 7861 3232David Rydell/Emma Kent/Amy Rajendran Marchpole Holdings plc 020 7908 7700Michael Morris, Executive ChairmanJohn Harrison, Finance Director Note to Editors: - Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole") is an international brandmanagement group that designs, produces and sells clothing and accessories fornine globally recognised fashion labels. It operates in all of the world's mainmarkets - UK, mainland Europe, Middle East, Asia and the USA - Its respected brands include Boateng, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ungaro, JeanCharles de Castelbajac ("JCC"), Jean Charles de Castelbajac / Rossignol, JeanCharles de Castelbajac/Okaidi, Jean Charles de Castelbajac / New Era, JeanCharles de Castelbajac/Lee Cooper and Homebody - Marchpole is renowned for its integrated approach to brandmanagement, taking a brand from concept to design studio to the customerinterface. It is not a clothing manufacturer - The Group has grown considerably in the past four years, from alicensee with one core license (YSL menswear) - to today's internationalbusiness that manages its brands across a multitude of clothing lines andaccessories - Marchpole's acquisition (March 2006) of Moda America - the USlicensee for leading designer Emanuel Ungaro - provided further growthopportunities in the UK and America and strengthened the Company's relationshipwith Ungaro - The acquisition also enabled the Company to launch the Ungaro brand,already established by Marchpole in Europe and Asia, into the US, Canada andSouth America. The acquisition has also enabled the Company to re-launch JCCinto America. - In March 2007 Marchpole acquired 100% of Greenmark Limited, an importer and wholesaler of ladies shoes who currently supply in excess of 2.5 million pairs of shoes per annum. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange