Kenneth Cole partners with Europe's LF Brands for footwear

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Jan 5, 2016

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. announced on Tuesday that it has signed a three-year partnership agreement with Belgium-based LF Brands for footwear. The partnership will launch in seven European countries in the fall of 2016.

Kenneth Cole and LF Brands are producing men’s and women’s Kenneth Cole New York footwear and women’s Gentle Souls footwear that will launch in select European cities in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Benelux. The partners are working with some of the top department stores, independent retailers and e-commerce in Europe for the market launch in the fall, and will be present at the next edition of Who’s Next-Première Classe in Paris followed by GDS in Düsseldorf.
 
“We are looking forward to having a central European-based partner who specializes in footwear and is able to offer best in class service to department stores and independent retailers in these regions,” stated Marc Schneider, Kenneth Cole Productions Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer.

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Founded in 1982, the American company has built a strong global presence through Kenneth Cole-owned and operated retail business in North America and distributor-operated shops in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

Meanwhile, LFBrands is a young fashion agency specialized in footwear and accessories. Created by Ruben Clijsters, who previously worked at Macintosh Retail Group, it has previously launched other American footwear brands, notably Steve Madden. Its warehouse is centrally located near Brussels.