Differential Brands announces major Robert Graham expansion

By

Robin Driver

Published
Apr 3, 2018

Following the release of its Q4 and full-year 2017 results, Commerce, California-based apparel company Differential Brands Group Inc. announced on Tuesday the largest expansion in the history of its luxury lifestyle brand Robert Graham, involving new licenses for eyewear, footwear, home furnishings and loungewear.
 

The expansion, an integral part in Differential Brands’ strategic focus on growing Robert Graham’s lifestyle offering, incorporates a total of four new licensees and two license extension partners. New licensees include luxury footwear company Prodigy Brands, premium eyewear manufacturer Nouveau Eyewear, home textile brand Royal Heritage Home and loungewear specialist Komar.
 
“We are thrilled to announce these new best-in-class partnerships that will continue to create luxury products and strengthen the brand’s footprint domestically,” commented Differential Brands Group CEO Michael Buckley in a release.

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Seth Morris, president of the star garment group division of Komar, explained, in turn, the benefits that the company will bring to Robert Graham, stating, “Our brand experience brings a deep expertise in design, sourcing and manufacturing for the men’s and women’s loungewear/sleepwear/intimates and underwear marketplace.”
 
Jeffrey Tauber, CEO of Royal Heritage Home, also spoke enthusiastically of the great potential he sees in bringing Robert Graham’s “modern design legacy” into the homeware space.
 
In addition to these new licenses, RGA Leatherworks and British Apparel Collection have both extended their license agreements with Differential Brands and will continue to work with Robert Graham, producing leather goods and hosiery, respectively.
 
The Robert Graham brand is present in more than 500 department stores throughout North America, including Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks, and is also available at its branded stores.
 
Differential Brands has stated that it also intends to add further catalog drops and circulation for the brand this year. These developments are part of a set of wider expansion efforts that the company has planned for 2018, including the addition of an activewear line to its Hudson Jeans brand and a footwear assortment to SWIMS.
 
On Monday, Differential Brands reported a 10% increase in sales in 2017, driven by a 13% rise in e-commerce sales.