Kellwood Company is planning to develop an IZOD swimwear collection under a licensing agreement with Phillips-Van Heusen, according to Robert C. Skinner, Jr., corporate vice president of Kellwood.

“Creating the women’s IZOD swim collection is a progressive expansion of our partnership with Phillips-Van Heusen. Kellwood’s IZOD womenswear collection has had a fantastic reception and we are eager to launch the IZOD brandname for swimwear. We will be introducing the collection at the July Miami show with product debuting at department and specialty stores for Holiday Cruise 2003,” said Skinner.


Mark Weber, Phillips-Van Heusen president and chief operating officer remarked, “We are very excited about expanding our business relationship with Kellwood. We view Swimwear as a natural extension of the IZOD brand. Kellwood’s swimwear group is the best equipped to capture the IZOD spirit and active lifestyle energy of IZOD. We love what they are doing, and are certain this line will be very successful.”

Featuring IZOD’s signature stretch pique fabric, the swim collection will include bikinis, tankinis and maillots in additional techno fabrics. The suits will provide a sporty-chic image on the beach or by the pool. In knitted fabrications, the suits will be available in a vibrant, sporty color palette as well as fashion colors. With coordinating cover-ups, skirts and sarongs, customers will be making waves in IZOD swimwear.

The IZOD swimwear is being developed and produced by the swim division of Kellwood Intimate Apparel.