GORHAM and kathy ireland Worldwide Enter Into an Exclusive Global Licensing Partnership for the kathy ireland Home Collection

BRISTOL, Pa., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GORHAM is pleased to announce that it has entered into a long-term partnership agreement with lifestyle designer Kathy Ireland, to design, manufacture and market a range of tabletop, gift and home decor accessories to be produced under the kathy ireland Home by GORHAM brand.

"We are thrilled to partner with one of America's most successful female entrepreneurs, lifestyle designer, Kathy Ireland," said Bill Wieland, Executive Vice President.  "This collaboration presents new and exciting opportunities for GORHAM and we are confident that the synergies created here will result in a collection of lifestyle inspired pieces, expertly crafted with timeless appeal."

According to Jim Mylonas, Vice President and General Manager of GORHAM, the new brand will offer well-priced solutions for today's casual lifestyle, and also address the bridal market with a unique approach that blends stylish design with modern practicality.

The kathy ireland Home Collection will debut in Fall of 2012 with a retail launch scheduled for Spring 2013.  The collection will include both fine and casual dinnerware, glassware and flatware, entertaining serveware and giftware, and is designed around contemporary and traditional lifestyle themes.

"Our collaboration with Gorham and their wonderful team is innovative. Our designs will be exhilarating, fresh and essential with a powerful focus of implementing our missions of '...finding solutions for people in love,' in the Bridal category. Our home mission, '...finding solutions for families, especially busy moms,' will also be beautifully served. The legacy of Gorham is a dream come true for kathy ireland Home and kathy ireland Bridal," said Kathy Ireland, CEO & Chief Designer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

About Gorham

GORHAM, an American company celebrating its 180th year, has a rich history of artfully making silver, fine china, crystal and tableware products, and has established a world-renowned reputation for crafting high quality, well-priced, functional designed collections in a classic design style. GORHAM markets its products under GORHAM, That's Entertainment by GORHAM, Merry Go Round by GORHAM, Emeril by GORHAM, and Food & Wine by GORHAM brands.

GORHAM is a division of Lenox Corporation, which also markets Kate Spade, Donna Karan Lenox, Marchesa by Lenox, Dansk and culinary brands including Mario Batali by Dansk and Dr. Weil's Healthy Kitchen by Dansk.  

About kathy ireland Worldwide

kathy ireland Worldwide® (kiWW®) is the design and marketing firm founded in 1993 by CEO and Chief Designer, Kathy Ireland. The mission statements for kathy ireland Worldwide include:

"...finding solutions for people in love."™.  

"...finding solutions for families, especially busy moms" ™.

Forbes Magazine reports that kiWW® is a "design empire which grosses over 1.4 billion dollars annually in retail sales." License Global Magazine names kathy ireland Worldwide® the 28th most powerfully licensed brand globally and reports that annual retail sales have grown to 1.9 billion dollars. kathy ireland Worldwide® offers designs in Home, Office, Weddings, Baby Products, Fashion, Fine Jewelry, Destination Properties, Publishing and More...

SOURCE GORHAM