Previously owned by Prada and Change Capital Partners (CCP), the minimalist fashion house is owned by GIBO, the European unit of Japanese apparel group Onward Holdings. GIBO acquired the company in 2008. Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons now fills Jil Sander's shoes as creative director. The company sells women's and men's apparel, as well as accessories, footwear, jewelry, eyewear, and fragrances. Established in 1978, it also operates about a dozen stores, in addition to 50 franchised locations worldwide, and sells its products in such high-end shops as Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's.

VF Imagewear, a subsidiary (or "coalition") of apparel giant V.F. Corporation, manages corporate identities, including uniforms, corporate image, and career apparel programs. It serves customers nationwide in government, transportation, utilities, telecommunications, foodservice, hospitality, and other industries. It also caters to sports leagues (such as the NFL, MLB, and Harley-Davidson) through licensing agreements and via its Majestic Athletic unit. The company's brands include Bulwark, Chef Designs, LiteFX, Red Kap, and The Force, as well as its licensed brands.

Oxford Industries, Inc. company is a top US manufacturer of brand name and private-label clothing and footwear, as well as a retailer in the US and the UK. Its Tommy Bahama business makes branded men's and women's casual attire and operates more than 80 stores in the US. Its Ben Sherman unit boasts some 30 UK stores. Oxford also produces designer men's clothing, including golfwear, under license from Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Oscar de la Renta, and others. Oxford's customers include national and regional specialty stores, direct retailers, and department stores. Macy's, Nordstrom, and Debenhams were Oxford's biggest customers in 2008.

Chairman, CEO, and owner Vera Wang founded the firm in 1990. A bride needs to budget more for herself if she wants to walk down the aisle in a wedding dress from Vera Wang Bridal House. With gowns reaching $20,000, Vera Wang has designed bridal gowns for celebrities the likes of Sharon Stone and Mariah Carey. Vera Wang also designs evening gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and sportswear, and licenses its name for other apparel, as well as for china, crystal, eyewear, footwear, fragrances, jewelry, linens, silver, and more. Vera Wang's products are sold through upscale department stores, specialty stores, and a pair of company-owned flagship boutiques located in New York City and Los Angeles.

Van de Velde doesn't keep any secrets; its wares are right out in the open (under the dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses of women across Europe). The company makes and retails women's undergarments, including bras, panties, and corsets. Its brands include Marie Jo (luxury), Marie Jo l'Aventure (classic, no frills), and PrimaDonna (plus sizes). Marie Jo and PrimaDonna account for most sales. Van de Velde sells its products through third parties (Sara Lee, VF Corporation), department stores, and its own stores in Benelux, Germany, and France. It has production facilities in Tunisia and Singapore. The founding Van de Velde family owns about 60% of the company.

Consolidated Ecoprogress Technology Inc. (CET) produces and distributes biodegradable and disposable absorbent products, including diapers, incontinence products, and femine hygiene products. Every part of its Flushaway-branded feminine hygiene products degrades completely within 28 days of disposal; the product is flushable and begins to break down immediately upon contact with water in the toilet bowl. Wal-Mart is one of the company's biggest clients.

Valentino Fashion Group continues to make a splash on the fashion scene. Spun off to shareholders by Italian fabric maker Marzotto in mid-2005, the company holds Marzotto's former apparel units. The group is divided into three businesses: Valentino (which includes Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma, and R.E.D. Valentino), Hugo Boss (with its Boss and Hugo brands), and a final business unit that comprises licensed brands Marlboro Classics and M Missoni, as well as its own brands Lebole, Oxon, and Portrait. Valentino Fashion Group operates more than 1,600 boutiques in 110 countries and sells through e-commerce site Valentino.com. Its corporate offices are located in Italy, France, Hong Kong, Japan, and the US.

Urban youth and youthful are down with FUBU's hip-hop inspired sportswear. Besides making sportswear, FUBU (an acronym for "for us, by us") also licenses its name for men's, women's, and children's wear, as well as footwear and accessories such as watches, eyewear, caps, and bags. The company also offers a line of suits, athletic shoes, tuxedos, and housewares (sheets and pillows in university colors). The company, which is expanding rapidly in Asia, has about 100 franchised stores worldwide. Founders Daymond John, Alexander Martin, Carl Brown, and Keith Perrin own FUBU.

New Wave Group was founded in 1990 by Torsten Jansson, who remains the group's largest shareholder as well as its chairman and CEO. This new wave group has a lot of style -- it isn't stuck in the 1980s with A Flock of Seagulls haircut. The retail company boasts a portfolio of about 40 brands in Europe of promotional apparel and gifts, work clothes, sports and athletic wear, men's and women's casual wear, shoes, glassware, and home décor. Its brands include Cutter & Buck (golf apparel), James Harvest (sportswear), Sköna Marie (shoes), Orrefors Kosta Boda (glassware), and ProJob (work clothes). The company also is licensed to sell the Easton, Speedo, and Umbro brands in Northern Europe.

In 1916, Keds created an American Classic: the first shoe with a soft rubber sole and coined the term "sneaker." This original sneaker, called "the Champion" has remained a style icon for over ninety years. Worn by Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O, and consistently celebrated by Vogue, Elle and Women's Wear Daily, Keds continues to attract fashion designers, stylists and top editors in the industry with their classic, authentic style. Today, a new generation has discovered the Keds brand, which is helping to inspire a collective spirit of new American style, youthful optimism, collaboration and togetherness.

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