Dive Brief:
- Authentic Brands Group has partnered with Peerless Clothing International on a long-term agreement for Vince-branded menswear, the company announced this week.
- Under the partnership, Peerless will design, manufacture and distribute Vince men’s tailored clothing, dress shirts, neckwear and neckwear accessories in the U.S. and Canada.
- Authentic acquired Vince in April for $76.5 million in cash and a 25% interest in newly formed subsidiary ABG Vince. Concurrent with that deal, Authentic entered into an exclusive, long-term agreement with Vince Holding Corp., which is now the licensing partner for the brand’s core categories, and will manage its 60-plus retail stores, current wholesale accounts and e-commerce operations.
Dive Insight:
The new partnership between Peerless and Authentic expands an existing relationship between the two companies. Peerless is also involved with menswear production for other brands on the Authentic roster including Hart Schaffner Marx, Van Heusen, Shaquille O’Neal and Hickey Freeman, per the release. Peerless clients also include Capri Holdings-owned Michael Kors and PVH-owned Calvin Klein.
“At Authentic, we believe that Peerless is best positioned to build and grow Vince, America’s most successful contemporary brand,” Jarrod Weber, lifestyle group president and chief brand officer at Authentic Brands Group, said in the release. “This partnership will introduce products that embody the brand's essence and the functional elements that today's consumers demand. Peerless’ expertise in tailored clothing is second to none and we look forward to expanding our relationship.”
Vince was founded as a California contemporary casual womenswear brand in 2002, and menswear was introduced to the line in 2007. Cofounders Rea Laccone and Christopher LaPolice left the brand in 2013, the same year Vince went public.
In 2017, the brand brought in Patrik Ervell to lead men’s design, but Ervell has since left. The brand’s midpriced quiet luxury aesthetic has not traditionally included men’s tailored suiting, so the Peerless partnership may signal a new direction for the brand since its acquisition by Authentic.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vince to Peerless, a brand that exemplifies contemporary luxury,” Dan Orwig, president of Peerless, said in the release. “Our pledge to deliver an exceptional product at the highest standards of craftsmanship makes this partnership a natural fit. We are excited to partner once again with Authentic to help progress the brand’s long-term strategy and legacy.”
Vince tailored clothing will be available at select premium retailers as well as at Vince’s own digital and brick-and-mortar stores, and Authentic stated it would share further updates on the Vince brand in the coming months, per the release.
This year has been busy for Authentic, which acquired Rockport in July, Hunter Boots in June and Boardriders in April. The New York City-based brand development company now owns more than 50 brands, including Nine West, Hervé Léger and Frederick’s of Hollywood.
