United States Of America : Anne Klein To Collaborate With Peerless Clothing to Launch Men''s Wear Line

Kasper ASL division announced that Anne Klein has signed two licensing agreements to produce its first ever men''s line.

Anne Klein will collaborate with Peerless Clothing to launch a men''s wear line for spring 2004, with a casual outerwear line -- by Herman Kay Bromley, Inc. to follow in fall 2004.

Lisa Bromberg, vice president of Anne Klein licensing, revealed that the group is also "actively pursuing" a license for men''s shirts and ties to round out the collection.

"We anticipate Anne Klein to become one of the strongest men''s designer labels in the specialty store market," said Ronny Wurtzburger, president of Montreal-based Peerless Clothing, which also holds licenses for ck Calvin Klein, Chaps and Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Izod and FUBU.

New York-based Herman Kay Bromley, which already holds the outwear license for Anne Klein women''s lines -- Anne Klein New York, Anne Klein and AK Anne Klein -- said its men''s line for Anne Klein will include leather, suede and down pieces.

The line will be shown by appointment during New York Fashion Week next month, and will also be at Magic in Las Vegas later this month.

Last week Anne Klein parent Kasper, which filed for Chapter 11 in February 2002, announced that Jones Apparel Group would acquire it. Jones offered the top bid, totaling $216.6 million, in a bankruptcy court-organized auction for the company. Kasper anticipates the transaction to be completed by the end of the year.