American Designer Joseph Abboud Appointed President and Chief Creative Officer of HMX

NEW YORK, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- HMX, LLC, today announced that Joseph Abboud, the iconic menswear designer, has been appointed president and chief creative officer of HMX's portfolio of brands. Abboud will lead the creative direction for brands including Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx, Coppley, Bobby Jones, Exclusively Misook, Simply Blue (Christopher Blue Denim, Worn Men's and Women's) and Monarchy Collection.

The first collections overseen by Mr. Abboud will be introduced in July 2010, and will be in stores by Spring 2011.  A design luminary for more than 30 years, Abboud is renowned for his innate ability to design classic clothing and build brands that reflect the true American man.  After being named Associate Director of Menswear Design at Ralph Lauren in 1981, and launching his eponymous clothing label in 1986, Abboud has established himself as a leader in American fashion.  He was the first designer to win a Council of Fashion Designers of America award as Best Menswear Designer two years in a row.

"Joseph Abboud is not only an influential design talent, but also a signature figure in American fashion," said Doug Williams, chief executive officer, HMX. "I'm excited to be working together to create a new traditionalism in men's apparel."

Joseph Abboud and Doug Williams form a creative powerhouse to lead these venerable American brands. Williams is a 25-year veteran of the apparel industry.  He spent 17 years leading multiple business divisions at Ralph Lauren Corporation, including sales, wholesale, global business  development and manufacturing.

HMX is a renowned maker of tailored and casual men's clothing. The firm's brands represent a cross- section of fundamentally American fashion, from design to manufacturing.  Under Williams and Abboud's direction, the brands will feature a sensibility that incorporates value and style integrity.

Abboud's signature approach – to dress men fashionably, while honoring a man's desire to look approachable and professional – will exert a particular influence on marquee brands such as Hickey Freeman and Hart Schaffner Marx.

About HMX, LLC

HMX is America's leading tailored clothing company, with a diverse portfolio of brands, both owned and licensed, that are distributed through all domestic retail channels and internationally. HMX's most prominent brands include Hickey Freeman, Coppley, Monarchy, Christopher Blue, Bobby Jones*, Jack Nicklaus*, Austin Reed*, Sansabelt and Hart Schaffner Marx, the brand worn by U.S. presidents past and present.  North American tailored clothing manufacturing is based in Rochester, New York; Des Plaines, Illinois and Hamilton, Ontario.

*The referenced trademarks are licensed to and not owned by HMX, LLC or an affiliated company.

SOURCE HMX, LLC