Rainforest Licenses Its Way to Expansion

NEW YORK – Rainforest will extend its brand reach into a myriad of new markets through a series of three new licenses recently penned by the outerwear firm.

The new licensees are: Gordon & Ferguson, granted exclusive right to produce and distribute leather outerwear bearing the Rainforest and RFT by Rainforest labels; Jacob Siegel, which will introduce the two labels in wool outerwear and topcoats; and Bong Wha USA, responsible for Rainforest golf wear and RFT by Rainforest sportswear.

The Bong Wha collection has been introduced for a spring 2007 retail introduction, while leather and wool outerwear and topcoats will be available at retail for fall 2007 selling.

(Top) Jacob Siegel’s take on Rainforest in wool; (below) Rainforest president Jack Wu (right) with Gordon & Ferguson president Jaggi Singh.

Distribution will be consistent with Rainforest’s current retail representation, although golf wear will be sold to green grass retailers as well as to better specialty stores.

Jack Wu, president of Rainforest, told MRketplace.com that the product categories selected represent “a very natural extension” for the 20-year-old brand, and that the firm was working with its new licensees to assure a “unified look of ‘Rugged Elegance’ that speaks consistently to the consumer.”