PUMA
North America named Blue Water Design Group the official licensee of PUMA
Swimwear and Beachwear for women in the US market. As part of this relationship,
Blue Water will be responsible for design, merchandising, sales and marketing
for the collection, working in collaboration with PUMA.

 

“Translating
the PUMA brand personality into women’s swim and beachwear is vital to our
growth in the US as there is
a great opportunity for PUMA in this apparel sector,” said Jay Piccola, president
and general manager for PUMA North America. “Given
the company’s seasoned expertise and understanding of the marketplace and our
brand positioning, PUMA is thrilled to partner with Blue Water for the first collection
in September.”

 

Blue Water
will help PUMA bring women’s swimwear to market to wholesale partners,
particularly key department stores as well as independent swim specialty
stores. The new

swimwear
and beachwear collection for women will make its first trade appearance this
July at the Miami Swim Show in Florida.
The first collection will launch at PUMA Stores and select wholesale partners
in September 2009.

 

“The
Blue Water Team is looking forward to building a great swimwear business with
the PUMA brand,”said Jeff Pofsky, President of Blue Water Design Group.

 

Blue
Water Design Group is a division of Apparel Ventures Inc., which manufactures
women's swimwear and beach accessories under its own Playa by La Blanca and
Sessa names, as well as for companies such as Anne Klein, Ocean Pacific, Polo
Ralph Lauren and Rampage.