CALVIN KLEIN, NINE WEST MAKE A DEAL
NEW YORK — Calvin Klein Inc. said Thursday it has agreed in principle to license Nine West Group for worldwide production and distribution of CK women’s and men’s dress and casual shoes and women’s accessories.
The products, which will include handbags and small leather goods, are scheduled to be launched for spring/summer 1997.
In addition, Nine West will open CK Calvin Klein footwear and accessories shops within or adjacent to freestanding CK apparel stores, still to be developed. Approval of the site and design of the shop, however, will remain with Calvin Klein.
The designer’s Collection accessories are handled in-house and shoes are done by Diego Della Valle.
CK Calvin Klein has licenses for jeanswear with Rio Sportswear and for belts with Cipriani. Recently, CK signed a license with Stefanel SpA to produce and distribute the bridge sportswear line in Europe and the Mideast, as well as to open freestanding CK shops.
Nine West will create a separate division for the new business, which will oversee merchandising, technical work, production, quality control, visual display and other functions. All design will come from Calvin Klein Inc.
A spokeswoman for the designer company said wholesale prices have not been set yet.
The footwear and accessories category is another step in the designer’s strategy to become a worldwide megabrand. In the past year and a half, the firm has filled out its upper-level management team and signed licensing and distribution agreements for several product categories.
In addition to its signature label, Nine West also manufactures and distributes footwear and leather goods under the names Amalfi, Bandolino, Calico, Easy Spirit, Enzo, Angiolini, Evan Picone, 9 & Co., Pappagallo, Selby and Westies.