PARIS — In another sign that licensing is coming back into fashion, Emanuel Ungaro has inked a contract for its Ungaro Fuchsia diffusion line with Jaya SRL, which is majority owned by Italy’s Mariella Burani Fashion Group.
Both companies confirmed Tuesday they have finalized a contract, effective with the spring-summer 2005 season. Jaya, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, also produces Mila Schön and the Mariella by Mariella Burani collection. It is slated to present the next Fuchsia line to the trade in July.
Currently produced in-house, Fuchsia was introduced for spring 2003 retailing and targeted at the 25- to 40-year-old crowd with more affordable interpretations of Ungaro’s intricately feminine designs. The day-driven line spans suits, knitwear, jersey and cocktail dresses, with wholesale prices running at about $190 to $215, converted from euros at current exchange.
At present, the label is sold in some 190 doors worldwide, including Emanuel Ungaro boutiques and department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
Ungaro, owned by Ferragamo, distributes some product lines, but licenses everything except couture. The top ready-to-wear line shown on the runway during Paris Fashion Week is licensed to Vestimenta, while the jeans-driven Fever line is produced under license by Fiba. Footwear and handbags are produced by Ferragamo in Italy, while G.A.V. in the U.S. markets the Emanuel/Emanuel Ungaro women’s bridge line.
Separately, on Tuesday, a Mariella Burani spokeswoman said the company has inked a three-year licensing deal to produce and distribute Vivienne Westwood’s diffusion line, Anglomania, starting with the spring-summer 2005 collection. Currently, Swinger International produces the line. No further details were available.
— Amanda Kaiser and Miles Socha