Hartmarx Announces Dr. Martens Sportswear License

CHICAGO, April 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hartmarx Corporation (NYSE: HMX) today announced that it has reached agreement with Airwair International Limited and R Griggs Group Limited, the holders of the worldwide license for Dr. Martens(R), to manufacture, market and sell a wide range of men's and women's casual apparel under the Dr. Martens brand.  The Dr. Martens sportswear will be manufactured, marketed and sold by HMX Sportswear, Inc., a New York based subsidiary of Hartmarx.

Eric Prengel, Group President of HMX Sportswear, stated, "We are extremely excited to be working with the group at Airwair International on the launch of the Dr. Martens collection.  Our experience with Monarchy, the company we acquired last year, has shown us the tremendous value of a global lifestyle brand that has a unique cultural heritage in today's contemporary fashion arena.  We believe that the Dr. Martens collection will be very relevant to today's younger consumer who is looking for both fashion forward style and quality, and is increasingly shopping at specialty chains.  We plan to partner with major retailers who understand what a huge opportunity there is in this area."

The Dr. Martens apparel collection will be designed in New York. The launch collection will feature menswear for Fall, 2009 with women's to follow in 2010. The collection will reflect cutting edge fashion trends for both men and women ranging from sportswear staples such as denim jeans and cotton shirts to sweatshirts and outerwear.

David Suddens, Chief Executive Officer of Airwair, commented, "We are very excited and pleased that we are able to partner with Hartmarx, a company whose longstanding values of quality and product integrity we share."

Hartmarx produces and markets business, casual and golf apparel under its own brands, including Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey-Freeman, Palm Beach, Coppley, Monarchy, Manchester Escapes, Society Brand, Racquet Club, Naturalife, Pusser's of the West Indies, Brannoch, Sansabelt, Exclusively Misook, Barrie Pace, Eye, Christopher Blue, Pine IV, Worn, Blue House Drive, One Girl Who..., Zooey by alice heller and b.chyll.  In addition, the Company has certain exclusive rights under licensing agreements to market selected products under a number of premier brands such as Austin Reed, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry men's tailored clothing, Ted Baker, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Claiborne, Pierre Cardin, Perry Ellis, Lyle & Scott, Golden Bear and Jag.  The Company's broad range of distribution channels includes fine specialty and leading department stores, value-oriented retailers and direct mail catalogs.

The comments set forth above contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" or "will" or the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees as actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

The statements could be significantly impacted by such factors as the level of consumer spending for men's and women's apparel, the prevailing retail environment, the Company's relationships with its suppliers, customers, licensors and licensees, actions of competitors that may impact the Company's business, possible acquisitions and the impact of unforeseen economic changes, such as interest rates, or in other external economic and political factors over which the Company has no control.  The reader is also directed to the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional factors that may impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

DATASOURCE: Hartmarx Corporation



CONTACT: Lisa Wells, for Hartmarx Corporation, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.hartmarx.com/

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