(Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Popular activewear designer Linda Hipp and her company, LIJA, announce the addition of rising tennis star Rebecca Marino to its roster of elite athletes who prefer the line’s fashion-forward apparel.
As part of the agreement, the 18-year-old Marino will sport an array of styles from LIJA’s tennis and active collections during all on-court activities. Emphasizing functionality, comfort and movement, the pieces feature a variety of luxurious, lightweight performance fabrics. Key technical properties of the tank tops, short-sleeved shirts, vests, dresses, jackets, capris, shorts, skorts and pants include moisture wicking, quick drying, wind resistance, breathability and UV protection.
Marino, a 6’2″ native of Vancouver, advanced to the quarter-finals of last week’s Odlum Brown VanOpen in front of a hometown crowd before falling to No. 1 seed Sania Mirza of India. The youngest winner of the Stanley Park Women’s Open Championship at age 14 , she was the No. 2 NCAA Division I recruit in 2008 and recently turned down a full scholarship offer from Georgia Tech University to turn professional. In the last six weeks, she has climbed more than 60 spots to her current world ranking of No. 197 and has been invited to the U.S. Open qualifying event in New York.
“School will always be waiting, but when it comes to tennis, the clock is always ticking,” says Marino. “Turning pro allows me to travel and meet new people, and I’m thrilled to do it all in LIJA. From tanks and skorts to more casual layering pieces, everything is incredibly feminine and comfortable. When I look good, I feel good and can focus on my game.”
Highlighting the versatility of the collections, Marino’s favorite pieces include the Compression Freedom Tank and Risk Skort, Vapor Slick Short and French Terry Superstar Jacket, all of which are designed to provide women with fashionable apparel for a variety of active and leisure pursuits.
“Rebecca is an incredibly talented player and one of tennis’ brightest young stars,” says Hipp, principal designer and founder of LIJA. “She personifies LIJA’s distinctive fusion of sport, leisure and fashion, and we’re proud to have her as a brand ambassador.”
As the exclusive women’s apparel partner of the VanOpen, LIJA debuted a one-of-a-kind “under the lights” fashion show format during breaks in the marquee center court matches. Fans were treated to views of more than a dozen looks from the Fall 2009 tennis and active collections, as well as a sneak peak of key Spring 2010 styles.
LIJA is a staple in finer sportswear retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like the Seattle Tennis Club, Princess Anne Country Club and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
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 entered the tennis and active categories in Spring 2009 with collections that were embraced by both consumers and retailers for their distinct silhouettes, materials and styling. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, as well as considerable organic growth, LIJA began selling into the UK, Ireland, South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
2009 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
2009 Progressive Employer of Canada
2009 The Hackers Paradise Golfer’s Choice Award – Best Ladies Apparel
2008 Executive of the Year – Score Golf Magazine
2008 PROFIT W100 Rankings of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
2008 PGA Magazine — Resort Top Seller and Private Course Top Seller
2008 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
2007 “Business of the Year” — Richmond Chamber of Commerce
2006 Business in Vancouver “BC’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies”
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 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, and continues to expand to offer women apparel for all their active pursuits. 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
www.twitter.com/buffalocomm
www.buffalocommunications.com
