BUGLE BOY ENTERS JUNIOR ARENA

BUGLE BOY ENTERS JUNIOR ARENA.

Source: WWD
Date: 1/27/2000
Author: Kletter, Melanie

NEW YORK -- Bugle Boy, known primarily for its young men's offerings, is now tapping the junior market.

The apparel company said Wednesday that it will launch a line of apparel for girls and juniors to be produced by One Clothing, the Los Angeles-based junior resource. This is the first licensing deal for One Clothing, formerly known as Pandora Casuals, said Ace Ross, president.

The young women's line, which will be part of Bugle Boy's new B "Heart" B label, is set to debut at retail this June. It will be shown at the WWDMagic show in February in Las Vegas.

The offerings will be fashion-forward and will include layered T-shirts, crocheted tops, denim, twills and novelty trims, said Gail Vasquez, director of licensing at Bugle Boy. Price points for the line are still being worked out but will fall in the lower-moderate range, she said.

The line will be primarily distributed in mid-range department stores and national chains, she said.

Bugle Boy, based in Simi Valley, Calif., also produces a misses' line, which now accounts for about 10 percent of the company's annual wholesale sales of $500 million. The company's recent offerings for women include stretch pants, denim and hooded sweatshirts.

The 23-year-old company has been known for its moderate-priced designs, including parachute and cargo pants in the Eighties and colored denim in the Nineties. Its other licensed products include infants' and toddlers' clothes, watches, footwear, underwear, hats and sunglasses. The firm also operates about 300 of its own factory outlet stores.