After 22 years of making eveningwear his signature look, Carmen Marc Valvo is loosening up with a new sportswear label.
Through a new licensing deal with Republic Clothing Co., the designer will introduce Carmen by Carmen Marc Valvo sportswear this spring. Aside from providing the opportunity to get into knitwear, the alliance will enable the designer to pursue a new category with more strength than he would be able to had he opted to try on his own.
He said, “I’m very excited to be working with Republic Clothing on a knitwear-based sportswear collection. I would never be able to expand my business into these categories without the expertise and marketing strength of my partners.”
His latest creations, which arrive in stores in February, will wholesale from $29 to $69. Distribution will be aimed at Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s and Von Maur. Valvo will make the rounds visiting some of the 200 stores expected to carry the line for personal appearances. In addition, the company plans to offer reusable totes and other gifts-with-purchase as incentives to shoppers.
First-year projected wholesale volume is $10 million, according to Republic Clothing president Michael Warner. The deal with Valvo will extend beyond five years, he said. In addition to Valvo, Republic has a licensing deal with Vivienne Vivienne Tam. The company also produces clothes under the Chelsea & Theodore, Andrea Jovine, Grace Elements and Premise labels.