California Apparel News

Activewear brand Marika is expanding into shoes and hosiery with two new licensing agreements with Hackensack, N.J.–based SG Companies, which will produce and distribute women’s footwear under the Marika brand, and New York–based Wiesner Products Inc., which will produce and distribute Marika women’s hosiery. Both licensing agreements cover the U.S. and Canada, and small collections began shipping this holiday season.

Both collections will blend function, performance and design aesthetics, including incorporating signature Marika details and themes. Hosiery will have performance-enhancing features such as contour arch support, double-layer cushioning, moisture wicking and seamless toes and will be made with technical fibers and yarns. The Spring 2014 collection will include training socks, anti-blister socks, cotton/poly crew socks and a studio yoga sock, which will feature Marika patterns and complement Marika apparel. Retail prices will range from $6 to $18.

The “Body Wellness” footwear collection will include three categories: performance training, fitness studio and sport-active lifestyle. Features include aero-tech engineered breathable uppers, light and flexible compression, 3-D-molded midsoles, and Dry Wik linings. Retail prices range from $24.99 to $59.99.

“The Wiesner Products team is very excited to have the opportunity to license the Marika activewear and yoga brand name for hosiery and look forward to developing and building this line over the next several years,” said Wiesner President Charles Mizrahi. “We are already off to a fast start with several major retailers on board for Holiday and expect Marika hosiery to be an important player in the category, especially as the yoga-inspired activewear category continues to propel as a major lifestyle trend.”

Bernard Leifer, chief executive officer of SG Companies, was equally upbeat. “We are looking forward to our Marika footwear launch,” he said. “The name is extremely powerful in the activewear arena, and thus we are confident that the new Marika footwear category will be well-received and extremely successful at retail.”

Marika is part of a portfolio of brands owned by Commerce, Calif.–based FAM Brands.

“These new categories are just the beginning of what we have intended for the Marika name. There are dozens of related categories that fit into our grand plan, said Rob Stone, who works with FAM Brands on strategic planning and licensing projects.

Founded in 1982, Marika has grown to more than $3.5 billion in sales with a focus on activewear with attention to design, quality and affordability.

FAM Brands recently hired John W. Spotts as executive vice president of international business development and licensing to pursue licensing opportunities for all the company’s brands, which include Balance Collection, Zobha, Tehama, Peace and Pearls, Bally Total Fitness and La Vie Jet Setter. (The company also produces licensed lines for The Limited and Eddie Bauer.)

“We are pleased that both Wiesner Products Inc. and SG Companies have joined Marika’s growing licensing portfolio,” said Frank Zarabi, chief executive officer and owner of FAM Brands. “Both companies are experts in their classifications and have strong retail relationships, superior design and sales teams, as well as outstanding expertise in both product development and sourcing. We are confident that they will continue to grow and enhance the Marika brand."