R.G. Barry Corporation , the Dearfoams company, announced it has entered into an exclusive 3-year North American licensing agreement with Nautica Apparel, Inc., a subsidiary of VF Sportswear, Inc., to develop and market slippers for men, women and children under the Nautica and J-Class brands. Terms were not disclosed.


 


“Partnering with such an iconic American lifestyle brand is very exciting for us,” said Greg Tunney, Chief Executive Officer and President of R.G. Barry Corporation. “The addition of Nautica to our product lineup continues our long-term growth strategy of adding brands that are attractive to retailers and consumer segments where we see real growth potential.”


 


“We are pleased to have R.G. Barry Corporation as our new partner,” said Denise V. Seegal, President and CEO of VF Sportswear, Inc. “This is a new category for Nautica and we look forward to building a mutually successful business together.”


 


Added Pamela A. Gentile, R.G. Barry Corporation Senior Vice President Sales and Dearfoams Brands President, “We think that the power of the Nautica brands combined with our ability to design and source the world's best slippers will be attractive to many upper tier and premier retailers in North America.”


 


“The classic styling attached to the Nautica brands is particularly strong in the men's market, an area we believe has significant potential for our business. We also are attracted by the brand-loyal, lifestyle consumer that identifies with Nautica and J-Class products,” she said.


 


The Company expects to introduce a line Nautica men's slippers at retail later this year. The slippers will retail from $36-to-$48.


 


In conjunction with licensing the Nautica and J-Class brands, the Company has named Susan M. Smith, Vice President Sales, overseeing the licensed brands. Ms. Smith most recently was a national accounts manager based in the R.G. Barry's New York City sales office. She is the former vice president of hosiery sales for Mallory & Church, LLC and previously held executive sales positions with American Essentials, Carolee Designs, Supreme International and Liz Claiborne. Smith is a graduate of Metropolitan State College of Denver.