Leading Women’s Apparel Designer Honored for Unique Strategies, Company Expansion
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) — Linda Hipp, founder and principal designer of leading activewear brand LIJA, has been named ‘Executive of the Year’ by ScoreGolf in the magazine’s annual Canadian Equipment & Business Awards.
The distinction recognizes Hipp for her dynamic leadership in 2008, under which LIJA increased its international presence, expanded into the Active, Leisure and Tennis categories, and launched a unique Tour sponsorship program.
“For more than a decade, LIJA has been breaking the barriers between on- and off-course fashion, and I’m honored to be recognized for our continued success,” says Hipp. “Our goal is to offer stylish and functional apparel for all aspects of a woman’s busy life. This year we extended our global reach to include the United Kingdom, South Africa and United Arab Emirates, as well as introduced three entirely new product lines, and we’re excited to carry the momentum from 2008 into 2009.”
Announced for the first time on ScoreGolf Web TV, the full roster of 2008 Equipment & Business Awards are available at http://scoregolf.com/video/index.cfm?pageXML=/articles/x-feature-equipment/Rick-Youngs-2008-Year-End-Awards.
“I think the biggest reason for Linda’s victory this year in this category is a lot of people look at her as the face and design element of LIJA, but she has also implemented some amazing business strategies behind the brand,” says Rick Young, ScoreGolf’s Business & Equipment Analyst. “She’s done a wonderful job with Tour stuff, there’s a great distribution channel that she’s been able to act on for her brand and I think across the country LIJA is well-respected, as is Linda.”
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. Professionals who wear LIJA include Courtney Erdman, Jennifer Greggain, Leta Lindley, Brenda McLarnon, Jane Park and Georgina Simpson, among others.
For Spring 2009, in conjunction with the launch of its new Active, Leisure and Tennis collections, LIJA has debuted more than 200 pieces of golf and sportswear. Inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age and American Spirit of the 1950s, these trend-setting styles span a diverse color palette ranging from Daiquiri and Margarita to Black and Silver. Shipping of these collections will begin in February, while the line’s Fall 2008 collections are currently available in stores and online.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like The Riviera Country Club, Kiawah Island, The Greenbrier and Whistling Straits.
For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com.
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 PROFIT W100 Rankings of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
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
