Bisou Bisou Debuts Footwear and Accessories at MAGIC

Los Angeles-based women’s contemporary apparel maker Bisou Bisou is continuing to build its manufacturing base with new licensing deals while it reorganizes its retail business.

The privately held company debuted its newly licensed accessory and footwear collections at the Sands Expo & Convention Center during the Feb. 19–22 run of MAGIC International in Las Vegas.

Bisou Bisou chief executive officer Marc Bohbot said the company selected items that have innovative designs and are feminine and sexy—basically, everything the trademark stands for, he said.

Bohbot said the company signed licensing agreements last year with the Betesh Group for hats, belts, wallets and handbags; Armada Group for athletic footwear; and New York Transit Inc. for contemporary footwear.

The company’s license with the Betesh Group includes hats that are made with denim, suede and patchwork fabrications. Belts are equally fashion-forward, with chain and leather styles embellished with turquoise and logo belt buckles. Retail price points start at $38 for belts and $48 for hats. Handbags with denim drawstrings, leather flaps and tapestry start at $58 wholesale.

“We see Bisou Bisou as an up-and-coming brand with an upscale customer,” said Betesh Group president Michael Betesh. “Their share in the market has the most potential to build, especially with accessories.”

Bisou Bisou’s selection of footwear launched at MAGIC includes leather and canvas active varieties. The company’s contemporary footwear line features fashion-forward styles with heels.

This news comes as the company is restructuring its retail operations. Bisou Bisou, which oversees 12 retail stores for young women in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 4. The company’s wholesale division, which sells Bisou Bisou brand clothes at U.S. department and specialty stores, was not affected by the filing. “With our department and specialty store business performing beyond expectations, we are confident moving forward that our new products will promote positive growth for Bisou Bisou,” said Bohbot. —Claudia Figueroa