Women the world over know ESCADA for its bright fabrics, elaborate stitching, hand-beaded work, and tailored looks. The firm designs and sells upscale women's apparel (including evening wear, casual wear, and shoes), accessories, and fragrances in about 410 company-owned and franchised stores in some 60 countries. Apparel, handbags, shoes, and belts are designed in-house; eyewear, jewelry, watches, and scarves are licensed. It sold its Escada Beaut cosmetics division to Wella AG but remains a licensee. Unable to secure financing amid falling sales and earnings, the company in August 2009 filed for bankruptcy protection and is being sold.

Founded in 1906 American of Martinsville was a subsidiary of furniture maker La-Z-Boy until it was sold to private equity firm Hancock Park Associates in mid-2006 for an undisclosed amount. American of Martinsville strongly believes in Southern hospitality. Based in Martinsville, Virginia, the company produces guest room furniture (chairs, tables, sofas, bureaus) for hospitality customers, such as Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. It also sells to institutional customers, including hospitals, assisted living centers, and the US government. The company makes all its furniture at its 1 million-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant.

"Since the company began in 1994," says Marianne Bertrand, President and founder of Muttluks Inc. Muttluks makes and distributes booties, and now coats, exclusively for dogs. The boots, which are sold in the US, Canada, and Europe, come in a variety of styles, fabrics, and sizes. Products may be purchased in pet specialty stores and on the company's Web site. Although some observers roll their eyes at the sight, owners who really want to pamper their canine pals can be found at the other end of the leash from a puppy proudly prancing on protected paws.

The studious-looking research types are likely to be at Procter & Gamble Technical Centers Limited. Also known as Rusham Park Technical Centre (RPTC), the division conducts research related to its parent's health and beauty care products. A subsidiary of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) and one of nine research centers within Western Europe, the unit is involved in the development of the company's hair care products, skin care items and cosmetics, oral care products, fragrances, deodorants, and respiratory medicines. President Laurent Philippe succeeded Paul Polman, who retired in June 2005.

Richline Group company manufactures and distributes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, charms, pendants, and rings in gold, ranging from 10 to 18 karats. The merged entity has retained its existing brands, which include AuraGem (precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry) and Leach & Garner (offering nickel-free hypo-allergenic pieces). Products are sold at thousands of jewelry retailers including Hannoush, Misiak Jewelers, and Touch of Gold. Norwest Equity Partners sold Aurafin to Berkshire Hathaway, in July 2007.

Deckers Outdoor Corporation company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Goleta, California. Deckers Outdoor Corporation engages in the design, production, and brand management of footwear for outdoor activities and casual lifestyle use. It offers casual open-toe and closed-toe footwear, including adventure travel shoes, outdoor multi-sport shoes, trail running shoes, amphibious footwear, light hiking shoes and boots, sheepskin boots and slippers, rugged closed-toe footwear, sneakers, sustainable footwear, and sandals under various styles for men, women, and kids. The company also offers various accessories, including handbags, headwear, packs, and outerwear. It markets its products under the Teva, UGG, Simple, and TSUBO proprietary brand names. The company sells its products primarily to specialty retailers, department stores, outdoor retailers, sporting goods retailers, shoe stores, and online retailers. Deckers Outdoor Corporation sells its products directly to end-user consumers through its Web sites, catalogs, and retail outlet stores, as well as through retailers in the United States, and distributors in the Europe, Canada, Australia, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It has joint venture with Stella International Holdings Limited for the opening of retail stores and wholesale distribution for the UGG brand in China.

Panel Specialists company makes and markets partitions, panels, casework, and wall systems for a variety of uses. PSI also manufactures laminated wood furniture (desk and filing systems, wardrobes, and chests) and stone-fabricated countertops. The company's products are used in office settings, college dorm rooms, and apartment dwellings. PSI also peddles its products to clients of both government and institutional buildings, as well as to those who outfit interiors of marine vessels.

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.

Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. designs, develops and markets men’s and women’s footwear and accessories. The Company’s brands include Trotters, SoftWalk, and H.S. Trask, and the Company hold belt and accessory licenses for the Wrangler brand. The Company also develops and sells private label brand belts and leather accessories for national retailers. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009, (fiscal 2008), its operations were comprised of three segments: footwear, premium footwear, and accessories. Its footwear segment includes its Trotter and SoftWalk brands. Its premium footwear segment consisted of H.S. Trask and Tommy Bahama. In its accessories segment, the Company sold predominately leather belts and accessories. During fiscal 2008, approximately 10,000 store locations in the United States carried its products, including many major department stores, mail order companies, and specialty retailers.

Unicharm Corporation company, which is expanding in Europe and the Middle East, was founded in 1961. Unicharm is out to charm your pants on. The company makes personal care products for the disposable diaper, feminine hygiene, and adult incontinence markets. Its pant-like diapers -- comprised of Moony Man and Mamy Poko brands, among others -- command nearly 50% of the domestic market. Unicharm's other product divisions include feminine, health, and pet care and household cleaning products, as well as food packaging. Unitec Corporation owns about 18% of the company, which does the majority of its business in Japan (responsible for about two-thirds of revenue) and Asia.

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