(Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Popular golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp and her company, LIJA, announce the launch of the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders, a unique new apparel sponsorship program designed to expand the on- and off-course style opportunities available to members of the LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tours.
This original two-pronged approach to Tour sponsorship provides qualified professionals with an extensive apparel-only endorsement for the upcoming season, and the chance to compete for a Grand Prize package valued at $25,000. To be considered for the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders, players can visit www.lijastyle.com/company/proplayers.html and complete an expression of interest form, which has also been distributed to player agents and managers. Those chosen as Style Leaders will receive up to 70 pieces of LIJA clothing at no cost and be entered in a season-long competition for the Grand Prize consisting of:
Cash bonus
Apparel for 2009 playing season
Participation in a professional photo shoot for use in LIJA marketing and PR initiatives (photos also to be provided to player for individual promotional use)
Placement in select LIJA marketing materials
Inclusion in international, national and regional editorial items
All-expenses paid trip to Vancouver – home of the 2010 Olympics – for style consultation with Linda Hipp, company founder and principal designer
“LIJA is committed to supporting the efforts of Tour players to progress and excel in their profession,” says Hipp. “The LIJA Tour Style Leaders program is a new way for our growing brand to contribute to the success and style of golfers competing at the highest levels. We’re looking to partner with passionate, inspired women who are empowered by the game and devoted to looking their best.”
Once selected, Style Leaders will be provided with a range of tops, bottoms, sweaters, outerwear and accessories to be worn in competition. The Grand Prize winner must compete in a minimum of 15 sanctioned events during the 2008 season and will be selected based on a variety of factors, including on-course performance, photo submissions, brand testimonials and story submission of what inspired them to play and how golf has impacted their life.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Congressional, Doral, Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Whistling Straights.
For Spring 2008, LIJA has introduced more than 200 pieces of trend-setting contemporary sportswear in five striking collections. Featuring an expanded range of technical blends, LIJA-designed prints and an entirely new group of comfortable leisurewear, the latest styles offer athletic fashion without limitation.
The Fall 2007 collections are currently available in stores and online. Shipping of the Spring 2008 collections – including the Life of Leisure off-course apparel – will continue through April.
More information is available at www.LIJASTYLE.com or 604.270.6060.
About LIJA
LIJA is a market leader in fashion-forward styles featuring feminine and comfortable silhouettes inspired by the fusion of sport, leisure and fashion. The brand’s distinctive excellence is driven by LIJA’s passion, commitment and dedication to creating innovative designs.
LIJA has received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, achieving organic annual sales growth of at least 50 percent each of the past seven years. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Australian and Japanese markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
2007 “Business of the Year” – Richmond Chamber of Commerce
2007 PGA Magazine – Resort Top Seller
2007 PGA Magazine – Private Course Top Seller
2007 Best of Show Honors at PGA Show – Golfing Magazine
2007 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
2006 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
2006 Business in Vancouver “BC’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies”
2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year – Score Golf magazine
Individually, Linda Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient of the Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes and funds select Canadian designers, and voted a “40 Under 40” winner by Business in Vancouver.
An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-course apparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility. Recognizing a market opportunity – and the chance to combine her passions for fashion, golf and business – Hyp Golf was launched in July 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chiefly influenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp has garnered a widespread reputation as one of North America’s hottest sportswear designers.
Contact:
Andrea Latta
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3383
alatta@billycaspergolf.com
