(Vancouver, BC, Canada) — Popular golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp announces that her company, LIJA, has expanded its list of non-golf premier lifestyle accounts to include upscale retail chain Von Maur.
A pioneer in golf fashion, LIJA continues to assert its place in the lifestyle category with apparel that fuses sport, leisure and fashion. Located throughout the Midwest, Von Maur joins a prestigious list of LIJA retailers that includes world-renowned clubs and resorts such as Bandon Dunes, Congressional, Kiawah Island, Kapalua, Oakmont, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Whistling Straits.
"Spring 2008 marks LIJA’s 10th anniversary, and we’re offering more styles than ever before as we continue to expand our collection both on and off the golf course," says Hipp, principal designer and founder. "We are excited to offer Von Maur customers a wide variety of pieces that can be worn throughout a variety of leisure pursuits."
The line’s latest collections feature an entirely new group of off-course leisurewear, as well as a diverse range of technical blends, LIJA-exclusive prints and luxurious fabrics. Staples for every fashion and sport-enthusiast’s closet include such pieces as the Moda Ella Polo, with its modal-blend fabrication, and the Willow S/S Windshirt. Trendy, packable and ultra lightweight, this transparent outerwear piece features wind-resistant and water-repellant technical properties to provide function as well as style.
In support of the company’s growth — including an expanded line of accessories featuring belts, headbands, tote bags, socks and visors — LIJA is pursuing a proactive fashion distribution strategy. The brand has released its first lookbook to help draw attention from audiences outside of golf to the new styles and is attending the industry’s major fashion trade shows.
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
* North America’s "Top-5 Up-and-Coming Women’s Golf Apparel" – GolfWorld Business
Individually, 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
