Market Leader Channels Art and Literature from Early 20th Century
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) — Popular activewear designer Linda Hipp and her company, LIJA, announce the unveiling of three dynamic golf and sportswear collections for Fall 2009 featuring runway styling, distinctive silhouettes and the brand’s trademark bold color combinations.
Inspired by art and literature from the 1920s-1950s, the collections — Garden of Eden, Twilight in Italy and The Sun Also Rises — draw their titles from books of the era, while the individual styles are named for famous artists, design aesthetics, shoes and other period themes.
A fusion of sport, leisure and fashion, the line’s array of layering pieces showcases sophisticated prints and unique detailing in knits, soft shell and midlayer looks. Highlights of the collections include two new fabrications — “Ozone,” a lightweight, durable outerwear providing comfort, style and strong performance features; and “Mira,” a technical bottom fabric that offers functionality and easy care.
“From Belle Epoque to Art Deco, these artistic collections exude international flair and epitomize LIJA in a wide range of styles that can be worn from one activity to the next,” says Hipp. “This season we’ve also added a bolder picnic plaid in The Sun Also Rises to our characteristic color blocking and striped sweater knits.”
Retailing from $65 for some tops to $150 for select outerwear, the collections are outlined in a 36-page catalog that is currently available for retailers and media members. Featuring a new horizontal layout, the redesigned lookbook reflects the modern feel of the brand and offers an enhanced shopping experience. It also includes the “Hipp Factor,” calling out the designer’s favorite items from each collection, which are also highlighted by special hang tags at retail.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Riviera, Kiawah Island, The Greenbrier and Whistling Straits. The company’s clothing is worn by scores of women golf professionals worldwide, including LPGA Tour star Leta Lindley, the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders Grand Prize winner.
For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com.
About the Collections:
Garden of Eden is a lush collection of confident Jungle and Black supported by soft tones of Opal and Putty. This is one of only two collections this year offering the very chic Moulin Plaid and LIJA’s modern interpretation of time-honored tweed.
35 pieces, ships June 15
Twilight in Italy offers a delightful pop of energetic Zeal against subtly muted backdrops of Desert, Cocoa, Cloud and Ivory. The Frida Print in this collection stands out as daring and modern coupled with one of LIJA’s tech pique polos which offers a simple and linear design to complete a perfectly balanced look.
33 pieces, ships July 15
The Sun Also Rises uses a beautiful Spectra and pitch Black to create a stunning collection of bold and bright patterns. Ivory, Stone and Steel are subtle supporting colors showcased in the Cubism print and contemporary picnic plaid. The newest addition, LIJA’s Ozone outerwear, is featured in the collection and is a key essential for any golf course.
29 pieces, ships November 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 double digit sales growth every year. Further, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Ireland, South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
* 2008 Executive of the Year — Score Golf Magazine
* 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, Hipp has been named 2008 “Canadian Executive of the Year” by Score Golf, 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