CAND Candies (MM)

Candie's, Inc. to Launch Bongo Men's and Boy's Collections Company To Debut Men's and Boy's Jeanswear, Tops, Footwear and Eyewear NEW YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Candie's, Inc., (NASDAQ:CAND) (the "Company") announced today it will launch BONGO(R) Men's and Boy's jeanswear, tops, footwear and eyewear collections for Fall 2005. The concept for and development of BONGO Men's and Boy's was based upon the enormous success of the BONGO junior and girl's collections, coupled with what the Company believes to be a void in the young male marketplace at mid-tier department stores for this price point and design sensibility. The BONGO Men's collection represents a California casual lifestyle, which has been developed for a young male between the ages of 15 to 24. The BONGO customer is young and athletic, with a laid back attitude mixed with an edge. The Company has signed four exclusive agreements for the BONGO label for the initial launch, TKO Apparel, Inc., for men's denim and tops; Mamiye Brothers for boy's denim and tops; Kenneth Cole Productions for men's footwear and Viva International for men's and boy's eyewear. The collections will be available in mid-tier department and specialty stores by August and will retail from $24.00-$99.00. The new collections will debut at the February 2005 MAGIC tradeshow in Las Vegas. In honor of the launch, new BONGO juniors' spokesperson, Nicole Richie will make a special guest appearance at the BONGO MAGIC booth on February 15th, while her famous DJ boyfriend, DJ AM will be spinning tunes all day. "Developing a BONGO men's and boy's collection was the next strategic step for the brand," stated Neil Cole, CEO, Candie's, Inc. "The BONGO name has over 20 years of brand recognition and is one of the fastest growing junior labels in the marketplace. We could not think of a better time to introduce a young men's collection." The Company will support the new collections with a national multi-media campaign to be announced in August 2005 for the back-to-school season. The stars of the campaign will be revealed as it gets closer to the advertising campaign launch. Past BONGO spokespeople for juniors include Liv Tyler, Amy Smart, Rachel Bilson and Mya. In addition, the brand will debut a new unisex logo on its Spring 2005 print advertising campaign featuring Nicole Richie that will break in March issues of fashion, entertainment and lifestyle magazines. About Candie's, Inc. Candie's, Inc. is in the business of licensing the CANDIE'S, BONGO and BADGLEY MISCHKA trademarks on a variety of footwear, apparel and fashion products. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Brightstar Footwear, Inc., the Company also arranges for the manufacture of footwear products for mass market and discount retailers under the private label brand of the retailer. For investor information please visit the corporate web site at http://www.candiesinc.com/. DATASOURCE: Candie's, Inc. CONTACT: Maria Dolgetta of Candie's, Inc., +1-212-819-2084, Web site: http://www.candiesinc.com/

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