AFFALTERBACH, Germany/LUGANO, Switzerland — May 2, 2018 — The exclusive AMG Performance Wear collection is available. The collection, devised jointly by the Mercedes-AMG Performance brand and the Swiss cycling apparel brand ASSOS from Lugano, includes innovative jackets, T-shirts, polo shirts and trousers. It’s the first clothing range in the world that’s custom designed for AMG enthusiasts. Developed in Switzerland, the items are exclusively hand-made in Europe to guarantee the highest possible quality and topmost craftsmanship.

The collection for AMG Performance enthusiasts and sporty motorists boosts the perfect interplay between high-tech textiles and hand-crafted finishing. High-performance functionality, including breathability, optimum moisture-wicking and body temperature control, comes paired with an exclusive design, ergonomic fit and lightweight manufacture. The collection, specially developed for Mercedes-AMG, initially comprises eleven products with the AMG design. Each item in the AMG Performance Wear range has been manufactured with the objective of ensuring the wearer remains comfortable at all times, even on long arduous drives.

The centrepiece of the sporty clothing line is the eye-catching AMG FALLJACKET. It consists of extremely lightweight, resilient high-performance fibres combined with down, and immediately grabs the attention with its distinctive 3D look. With its excellent insulating properties, this outdoor jacket is ideally suited for spring or autumn wear. It is also available in a ladies’ version with a fitted waist.

The AMG Performance Wear collection was the result of intensive development work involving designers and textiles specialists from ASSOS of Switzerland along with Mercedes-AMG racing driver Maro Engel, who represents the clothing range as an AMG brand ambassador. ASSOS of Switzerland has been a partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 team since 2014. The company shares with AMG its enthusiasm for performance and sporting excellence. Out of this shared passion the world’s first AMG Performance Wear range was born. Innovative technologies and the finest craftsmanship that accentuate the accomplishment of sporty drivers – this is the claim to high quality the Swiss company is realising with AMG Performance Wear, just as the Mercedes-AMG engineers do with their vehicles.

Posted May 2,2018

Source: ASSOS of Switzerland

LAWRENCE, Kan. — May 2, 2018 — Equinox & Solstice today announced the launch of the Northward Jacket, a responsibly sourced, windproof, water-resistant and breathable jacket that not only looks great, but helps local disadvantaged youth. With every Northward Jacket purchased, Equinox & Solstice will gift the same jacket to a local kid in need.  The Indiegogo campaign, which is being managed by the Launchpad Agency, has a funding goal of $30,000, and features limited Super Early Bird Specials of $119 as well as several other rewards for backers.

Featuring breathable stretch polyester blend fabric to ensure a cozy feel and proper fit, the Northward Jacket is also windproof and water resistant so the wearer can don it in various types of weather ranging in temperatures from 15-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Key features include an elastic draw cord hem and adjustable Velcro cuff with an attached hood with a sealed seam, peripheral cord adjustment, a rain visor, and convenient zippered pockets.  The Northward Jacket is lightweight (less than 2 lbs.), wrinkle resistant, can be folded up into a small space (9×9 inches), and features an Equinox & Solstice logo so that others can easily see that the jacket purchased helped a youth in the local community. Equinox & Solstice always offers free shipping, too!

With over 15 million youths living at or below the poverty line in the United States, most do not have adequate attire for changing seasons, let alone something that they can be proud of wearing. Once a jacket is purchased, Equinox & Solstice will work with a partnered local non-profit organization within 50 miles of the purchaser’s home to find a kid in need of a new jacket to ensure a local impact is made.

Once identified, the kid will get a gift card for a new jacket where they can order their size and color (Navy Blue or Brick Red) to ensure a jacket that perfectly fits them both functionally and fashionably. The jacket will be shipped directly to the kid at their preferred location, be it home, school or the non-profit organization to create a complete “shopping experience.” The jacket redeeming process was intentionally created to empower kids to make choices they can be proud of and to get a hand-up rather than a hand-out.

“Equinox & Solstice was born from first-hand experience with kids lacking the basic weather protection needed,” said Alex, founder of Equinox & Solstice. “It affects every aspect of their lives when they have to focus on staying dry and warm instead of things that can help them grow, like their studies. Our ‘Wear One, Share One’ program helps busy people make a positive impact in their local communities while getting a jacket, or a ‘superhero cape’ as I like to call it, that they can be proud of.”

Posted May 2, 2018

Source: Equinox & Solstice Outdoor

HANOVER/BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — May 2, 2018 — Two longstanding Pennsylvania apparel companies are joining together to offer a complete line of classic, casual apparel, headwear and home decor.

Legacy Athletic —  a  designer and supplier of vintage-inspired collegiate, resort and corporate headwear, apparel and home decor — and League Collegiate Outfitters, a manufacturer of premium collegiate apparel and accessories, announced today that they have closed on a merger deal to create a single parent company, L2 Brands LLC, that has been recapitalized by Dominus Capital. The combined platform will allow each brand to aggressively pursue growth opportunities in current and new markets with a cohesive-looking, full-scale line of customizable, trend-right products for its retailers and end consumers.

Both companies were founded within a year of each other in the early 1990s and have over 25 years of deep relationships with more than 3000 leased and independent campus stores nationally. With more than 500 collegiate headwear and apparel licenses, together they will provide a full lifestyle line of products which includes high quality t-shirts, fleece, bottoms, youth styles, headwear and winter knits, as well as adjacent categories such as home décor, wall signage, spirit blankets, pillows and other accessories. Additionally, Legacy serves 8000 customers in the resort, destination and corporate markets.

Each company has been a member of the Fair Labor Association for over 15 years with a deep commitment to socially and ethically responsible production of its goods in the U.S. and abroad. Based in Bridgeport, Pa., and El Salvador, League currently employs 175 and 600 people at their respective locations. League’s owned manufacturing factory in El Salvador offers jobs to workers with disabilities, in gang rehabilitation programs, and much more. The factory has won multiple awards for its leading ethical practices in the sportswear industry and has been profiled by several global publications, including NYTimes, CNN and BBC, for its strict mission of social responsibility. Legacy is proud to employ over 200 people at its state-of-the-art facility in its hometown of Hanover, Pa., is a participant of the Ethical Supplier Engagement Program and is a previous winner of the prestigious PA Governor Small Business Impact award and finalist for Central Pennsylvania Small Business of the Year.

Paige Wingert, co-founder and current CEO & president of Legacy, will lead the new company’s strategic direction and operations as CEO of L2 Brands. Pete Waldron, current CEO of League, will lead the new company’s sales and business development as the President of L2 Brands. Both Wingert and Waldron will serve on the Board of Directors in addition to their day-to-day executive responsibilities.

“We have long been an admirer of our close friends at League for the consistent, classic yet relaxed brand aesthetic they have cultivated through their top-notch quality products, graphics, and merchandising solutions. The ability to join forces with League is a very unique opportunity to achieve synergies and create solutions for our customers as well as introduce League’s looks outside the college realm, where Legacy has had much success the past 10 years. It is an exciting opportunity, and we are very enthusiastic for the new combined team without forgetting our shared roots and family-like culture at both companies that got us to this point in our journey. I can’t think of another company that makes more sense to merge with than League,” Wingert stated.

Ashish Rughwani, partner at Dominus Capital, added, “We are excited to unify two of the leading brands in the college, destination and corporate end markets, which should allow L2 Brands to become a sizable and vertically-integrated competitor offering a full line of high quality products to its loyal customer base across multiple sales channels. Importantly, we will continue to empower the company to serve its communities and stakeholders through its numerous corporate social responsibility initiatives.”

Posted May 2, 2018

Source: Dominus Capital; L2 Brands, LLC.