Market Leader Channels Hollywood’s Golden Age, American Spirit in Technical and Cotton-Based Pieces
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Leading golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp and her company, LIJA, debut four captivating golf and sportswear collections for Spring 2009 showcasing dynamic prints, elegant silhouettes, rich fabrics and superior fits throughout an extensive range of technical and cotton-based pieces.
Titled High Society, Barefoot in the Park, An American in Paris and Roman Holiday, the collections were inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the American Spirit of the 1950s. The trend-setting sportswear radiates the innocence, femininity and joy of these time periods across nearly 200 pieces, and combines a diverse color palette – spanning from Daiquiri and Espresso to the cosmopolitan Black and Silver – with a fusion of sport, leisure and fashion.
“From vintage to contemporary, voluminous to fitted, these collections offer a diverse range of styling for any woman’s closet,” says Hipp. “Our Glitzy Group from the High Society and Barefoot in the Park collections, in particular, really serves to emphasize the breadth of the brand. The wide leg pant, cropped double-breasted jacket and dress can all be worn with golf shoes, ballet flats or heels. It’s a look that is distinctly LIJA in its ability to transition from one activity to the next.”
Must-have items for the season include the Twist Knit Johnny Vest and Willow Myth Jacket. A versatile sweater for any closet, the vest features the depth and texture of the line’s luxe new “Marl” knit. The jacket is a cool, compactable, ultra lightweight, wind-resistant and water-repellant highlight of LIJA’s latest technical offerings. Additionally, the Glitzy Ginger Dress, with its metallic finish and sporty details, epitomizes the brand’s ever-expanding reach in the lifestyle category.
Retailing from $65 for some tops to $135 for select outerwear, the collections are highlighted in a 57-page catalog that is currently available for retailers and media members. It features a section detailing the inspirations behind the season’s designs, as well as the “Hipp Factor.” The latter calls out Hipp’s favorite items from each collection, which are also highlighted by special hang tags at retail.
A pioneer in the golf apparel industry, LIJA’s growing presence in top clubs is supported by a variety of initiatives, including its Tour Style Leaders program. The unique new approach to sponsorship provides eight elite players from the LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tour with an expansive selection of LIJA products to wear on- and off-course. The golfers are also entered into a season-long competition for a Grand Prize valued at $25,000 consisting of a cash bonus and apparel sponsorship for the 2009 playing season, among other components.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island and Whistling Straits. The company’s clothing is worn by scores of women golf professionals worldwide, including Marisa Baena, Courtney Erdman, Jennifer Greggain, Leta Lindley, Brenda McLarnon, Jane Park and Georgina Simpson.
For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com.
About the Collections:
Inspired by the golden days of Hollywood Glamour, High Society is filled with feminine styling and elegant silhouettes combined with a fresh color palette. Details include sweetheart and notch necklines, ruching and ruffles, while strong, beautiful knits compliment the collection. Both the “Classic” and newly-introduced “Marl” weaves offer pieces with more depth and texture, and the collection-specific “Provence” print creates a regal feeling for High Society.
44 pieces, ships February 1
In Barefoot in the Park, the classic colors of Daiquiri, Espresso, and Margarita exude a sense of sophistication and flare. Along with LIJA’s quintessential golf pieces, positioning garments showcase the diversity of the collection from tee box to street.
44 pieces, ships March 1
An American in Paris offers moodier tones of Black and Silver metallic complimented by vibrant hues of Maize & Bayou. Inspiration for this collection is from the American Spirit of the 1950s. Many of the silhouettes, including polos, skorts, and knitwear, are reminiscent of days gone by and the prints feature a vintage theme, as well. An American in Paris is extremely versatile for golf and other sports with offerings of windwear and active pieces.
45 pieces, ships April 1
Playful, feminine and vibrant perfectly describe the palette and silhouettes of Roman Holiday. LIJA has combined the vivacity of Magenta and Bermuda with softer tones of Lavendula and Amphora to create a beautiful juxtaposition of color. The silhouettes, ranging from fitted to voluminous, are designed to accentuate the femininity of those who wear them.
45 pieces, ships May 1
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.
Having received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, LIJA has achieved organic annual sales growth averaging nearly 50 percent every year. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Ireland, South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
• 2008 PGA Magazine – Resort Top Seller
• 2008 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
• 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
