A DKNY Deal: Menswear

Fashion brand management group Marchpole has entered into a joint venture and licensing agreement with Donna Karan International Inc to design and produce a full range of DKNY menswear.

"I am delighted that we have reached this agreement with the very prestigious Donna Karan International, part of the Louis Vuitton Group and that we will have the opportunity to expand our business in the highly lucrative Far East and Middle East markets," says executive deputy chairman of Marchpole, Michael Morris.

Carrying the DKNY Black Label, the spring/summer 2009 collection will be the first offering from Marchpole under the agreement, which is initially for a period of seven years.

"This joint venture agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our men's product lines, and marks the next step in the evolution of our business," says Mark Weber, chairman and ceo of DKI.

The line will target high-end department and speciality stores as well as DKNY's own retail network, which includes 60 DKNY standalone stores across the world.

A new company has been set up to operate the venture between the two companies, 90 per cent of which will be owned by Marchpole and 10 per cent by DKI.