Karl Lagerfeld and Vaprio Stile

An Italian company operating in the fashion women's ready-to-wear business entered into an alliance with KARL LAGERFELD ready-to-wear collection to produce the KARL LAGERFELD Women's Collection.

Press Release:

KARL LAGERFELD announced today that Vaprio Stile entered into a licensing alliance to produce the KARL LAGERFELD Women's Collection starting with Fall 2008. The partnership will combine the design vision of Karl Lagerfeld with Vaprio Stile's expertise in manufacturing, sales and distribution.

"In Italy, there is a high quality capacity for ready-to-wear licenses because in that area it is a real tradition," said Karl Lagerfeld.

"This partnership with Vaprio Stile demonstrates our continued effort to build and expand the KARL LAGERFELD brand to become a true global business," states Fred Gehring, CEO, of the holding of KARL LAGERFELD. "Given Vaprio Stile's proven track record in producing and distributingwomenswear of exceptional quality, we are confident that we have found the best partner to enable the KARL LAGERFELD Collection to maximize its potential and to reach a broader consumer base worldwide."

"Karl Lagerfeld's creative experience, style and prestige will be a great contribution to our common goal in strategic development and success of the KARL LAGERFELD women's ready-to-wear collection worldwide," said Roberto Zanetto, Chairman of Vaprio Stile.

KARL LAGERFELD will continue to directly manage the aspects of design and marketing for the Collection. The first collection produced by VaprioStile will be shown on the runway during Paris fashion week in February2008 and will bow at retail for Fall 2008. The collection will be sold worldwide in select department stores and specialty stores.

KARL LAGERFELD:

KARL LAGERFELD designs, sources and markets the internationally acclaimed signature ready-to-wear collection KARL LAGERFELD, a high end luxury collection which is designed and shown in Paris and also offers an array of related accessories through strategic licensing agreements.

VAPRIO STILE:

Vaprio Stile controlled by Arner Private Equity Fund, is an Italian company operating in the fashion and luxury women's ready-to-wear business.The firm manages the license of Emanuel Ungaro as well as a collaboration on an exclusive basis with Givenchy collection.

Source: PRNewswire