Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. announced two new licensing agreements. The Elan Polo International is now the Hush Puppies brand slipper licensee for the U.S. and Canada. UGA Fashion S.A. is the Hush Puppies handbag licensee for Mexico. Both agreements are effective immediately.
The Elan Polo Company will design, manufacture and market Hush Puppies brand slippers to national, regional and specialty retailers in the United States and Canada focusing on the needs of the Hush Puppies’ consumer. Products will include shearling and leather casual offerings, and complement the successful new line of Hush Puppies accessories, which are performing well at retail. The slippers will be designed with leathers, wool and shearling materials, technical performance details such as comfort foot beds and indoor/outdoor outsoles.
UGA Fashion S.A. will design, manufacture and market Hush Puppies brand handbags to national, regional and specialty retailers in Mexico. Products will include totes, hobos, satchels and crossbody styles in faux leather or leather trimmed materials and leather, PU and fabric wallets and small leather goods for women, men and children.
“We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Elan Polo International and UGA Fashion S.A.,” stated Rob Koenen, president of Hush Puppies at Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. “The Hush Puppies brand, established in 1958, has very high consumer awareness and is well positioned to succeed in today’s retail environment as consumers understand and identify with its core values. Backed with world-class brand advertising in television, online and in print, the Hush Puppies brand delivers great fashion appeal to consumers and solid performance for our important retail partners. We look forward to a successful partnership with both companies.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Hush Puppies in their new line of accessories,” said Mike Prendergast, Vice President and General Manager, Slipper Division of Elan Polo International. “Their leadership in comfort footwear matched with their knowledge and success both at retail and with their core consumers positions us for a successful venture and future together.”
“We have long admired the global recognition of the Hush Puppies brand,” said Ilana Auerbach of UGA Fashion S.A. “They have a heritage in casual footwear and we are ready to leverage their global brand success to the handbag business in Mexico.”
Hush Puppies is a division of Wolverine World Wide, the world’s leading maker of casual, work, and outdoor footwear. Go to www.hushpuppies.com for more information.
