SKECHERS USA, Inc. has signed a licensing agreement to design, develop and market footwear in the United States and key international markets for the aviation-inspired apparel brand AVIREX. The AVIREX men's footwear line is set to launch in Spring 2007.
The agreement is a natural extension of SKECHERS' partnership with AVIREX's parent company Marc Ecko Enterprises, which acquired AVIREX in December 2005 to build the globally recognized niche brand into a lucrative lifestyle offering.
“Since the craze for its bomber jackets in films like Top Gun and Terminator, AVIREX has been an icon of American culture – and prime real estate for a fashion empire like Marc Ecko's,” said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. “Approaching $1.5 billion in annual sales globally, Marc Ecko's brands have become power players in the music, action sports, video gaming and sneaker cultures – giving AVIREX the stability, leverage and velocity to become a high-impact brand in the active youth market.”
In line with the brand's reputation for quality and detail, AVIREX's casual lifestyle, court-inspired and trainer-influenced footwear will be designed and marketed as a complement to its young men's apparel. AVIREX footwear will be available at many of the same department and specialty locations as the apparel – including Transit, Dr. Jay's, Jimmy Jazz, Eurostar, Epic and Glik's.
“By partnering with SKECHERS for the launch of our footwear line, we believe we can offer the same innovative designs, quality craftsmanship and affordable pricing consumers have come to expect from AVIREX,” stated Jeff Strumeier, president of AVIREX. “It is a pleasure to work with a team that is widely regarded as leaders in the development, marketing and distribution of fashionable branded footwear, and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”
In addition to the AVIREX agreement, SKECHERS' diverse footwear for Marc Ecko Enterprises' brands includes lines for the action sport brand Zoo York, athletic casual brands Unltd. by Marc Ecko for men and boys, and Rhino Red Footwear for women and girls.
