April Cornell Holdings is working to make an impression on the online retail scene. The company markets trendy mid-range apparel, handbags, jewelry, and other accessories for women and girls through its e-commerce site. It also designs tabletop and kitchen textiles, quilts, duvets, throws, and pillowcases. The company is led by its namesake founder, April Cornell, who started the business when her previous enterprise, Cornell Trading, was pushed into bankruptcy.

Astor & Black Custom Clothiers, as the company's Web site proclaims, pretty much says it all. Astor & Black Custom company's handmade, custom-tailored suits, pants, shirts, and jackets have graced the likes of Alonzo Mourning, Brady Quinn, Jeff Faine, and other pro athletes. A&B's sales agents visit client's homes and offices for measurements and fittings, with clothing priced up to 80% less than competitors. A&B has representatives in about 25 cities, mostly in the US, with orders going to more than 100 tailors overseas. CEO David Schottenstein, who formed the company in 2004, hails from a family that has made a fortune with discount-oriented retail holdings, such as Value City Department Stores, DSW, and Filene's Basement.

Aurora Fashions owns the UK high street brands Karen Millen (255 stores), Coast (280), Warehouse (415), and Oasis (475), including international locations, for a total of more than 1,425 stores in 45 countries. While Karen Millen and Coast focus on moneyed women of all ages, Warehouse and Oasis go for the trend-conscious 18-30 year-old woman. Aurora's bureau also includes intimate apparel purveyor Odille, and Anoushka G, a glamorous women's wear brand carried in stores throughout Europe and the Middle East. Former Mosaic managers and its bank, Kaupthing, own the company.

Austin Reed is straying from its bookish look. It makes and sells primarily menswear under the Austin Reed and AR Red names. Men's products include tailored suits and formalwear, but also jackets, slacks, casual wear, jeans, eyewear, footwear, fragrances, and accessories such as belts, cufflinks, socks, underwear, and leather goods. It makes women's products, such as upscale 1950's-inspired shirts, blouses, and matching separates, under the Austin Reed and CC labels. Austin Reed is sold through some 70 namesake shops, in major department stores, and through its own Web site. CC is sold through about 65 branded stores, department stores, and on its own Web site.

B.J. Vines, aka Betsey Johnson, is a perennial favorite among women who are funky and consider themselves eclectic, and after some 30 years in the business, the eccentric designer and her company namesake are still going strong. Betsey Johnson clothes, shoes, fragrance, makeup, lingerie, legwear, and accessories are distributed through about 50 specialty stores of the same name and department stores worldwide. B.J. Vines has expanded its product offerings and operations through about a dozen licensing agreements. Having owned a majority of the firm, Johnson sold a controlling stake to Boston-based private equity firm Castanea Partners in August 2007.

Bernard Chaus, Inc. company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Bernard Chaus, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets women's career and casual sportswear in the United States. Its products include tailored suits, knit tops, jackets, dresses, skirts, pants, blouses, sweaters, and related accessories. The company offers its products under the JOSEPHINE CHAUS, JOSEPHINE, JOSEPHINE STUDIO, CHAUS, CYNTHIA STEFFE, and CYNTHIA CYNTHIA STEFFE trademarks, as well as under private label brand names. It also sells private label apparel with customers specifications. Bernard Chaus markets its products through department store chains, specialty retailers, and other retail outlets.

The Bernardo Brand was born in Montreal. The founder, Stuart Pollack, identified a market in North America for fashions with the same level of design, taste and style found in Europe. The company, named after his son Bernard, began offering designer quality & style at affordable prices. The company signature became trend-right fashions with an international design sensibility. The designs are rich in detail providing modern style & sophistication.In 1995, the company relocated to New York City. Today, Bernardo Fashions offers women's and men's outerwear. The labels include Bernardo, Bernardo Collections, Collection B., and Ashley B by Bernardo, a label named after daughter Ashley.

Founded in 1885 by Russian immigrant Barnett Berwin, Berwin & Berwin is a leading supplier of men's suits in the UK. The family-run company manufactures more than 18,000 suits per week and supplies major retailers including Next, Austin Reed, Ted Baker, and Moss Bros. While its primary market is men's suitware, Berwin & Berwin is seeking to grow its women's tailored garment business. The company has several factories in Hungary and China. In 2004 Berwin & Berwin signed a deal to operate men's suit concessions in every House of Fraser store in the UK. Run by Simon Berwin, the firm owns about 30% of menswear retailer Moss Bros Group.

Bienestar International wants consumers to think about the well-being of the people who work for its manufacturers. Bienestar and its No Sweat Apparel brand broke into the market by emphasizing fair labor practices -- outsourcing its manufacturing to union shops that pay living wages and offer benefits to workers. The company offers plain and screen-printed T-shirts, hoodies, accessories, and shoes for men, women, and children. Products are retailed through Bienestar's e-commerce site and more than 150 specialty stores in the US, Canada, and Europe. It also wholesales its merchandise to schools, churches, and other groups. CEO Adam Neiman and his wife, VP Natalia Muina, each own about 40% of the firm.

Bill Blass Group (formerly Bill Blass Holding) has reached ubiquity status as a licensor. The legendary late designer's longtime, namesake company was famous for its tailored men's and women's clothing known to adorn noteworthy clients from Barbara Bush to Barbra Streisand. William Ralph "Bill" Blass who retired in 2000 and died in 2002, sold the firm in 1999 to its jeanswear licensee, The Resource Club, and CEO Michael Groveman. NexCen Brands bought Bill Blass Holding for more than $54 million in 2007. In late 2008 Peacock International Holdings acquired the worldwide rights to the Blass trademark and the Blass licenses already signed for just $10 million.

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