Dearfoams Brand Licensed to Olivet International for Sleepwear and Apparel

PICKERINGTON, Ohio, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Accessory footwear marketer R.G. Barry Corporation (Nasdaq: DFZ) has exclusively licensed its Dearfoams® brands to Olivet International for sleepwear and apparel.

The multi-year agreement gives Olivet, one of the world's leading accessory apparel resources, exclusive rights to develop and market a variety of sleepwear, active wear and accessory products bearing the Dearfoams®, DF by Dearfoams™, Utopia by Dearfoams™ and DF Sport® labels for sale in the North and South American markets.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for our company," said R.G. Barry President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Tunney. "Our strategy for growth has always included extending the Dearfoams name beyond slippers, and as a top supplier to many of the world's best retailers, we view Olivet as an ideal choice to make this element of our growth strategy a reality."

Olivet President Jack Holodnicki added, "We are very proud to enter into a new partnership with R.G. Barry that will extend the Dearfoams brand into the apparel market. As a truly authentic brand that stands for comfort and quality, the growth opportunities with Dearfoams are extensive."  

Dearfoams® sleepwear, loungewear, robes and cold weather apparel for men, women and girls will launch for fall 2011 with additional accessory and apparel extensions the following year.

"Dearfoams is the most recognized slipper brand in the world and its broad appeal as a lifestyle brand is an ideal platform to launch branded accessories and apparel," said Lisa Leigh, Senior Vice President of Olivet International.

"We believe that the timing of this agreement fits perfectly with the multi-million dollar, multi-year Dearfoams advertising and marketing campaign launched in February and our planned expansion of Dearfoams slippers into international markets," added Dearfoams President Nancy Coons.

About Olivet International

Olivet is a privately held worldwide leader in the cut and sew industry.  The company was founded in 1979 as an OEM manufacturer of handbags for major American brands. Olivet grew to become the No. 1 private label luggage supplier in the world with customers such as Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, JC Penney, Kohl's and other top retailers. In 2003, Olivet expanded into the licensed business. Their brand portfolio now includes Dockers®, Tommy Hilfiger®, Joseph Abboud®, Ellen Tracy®, Jeep® and Jessica Simpson®. In 2009 Olivet expanded into the apparel business through a strategic relationship with a major Taiwanese owned manufacturer.

About R.G. Barry Corporation

R.G. Barry Corporation, the Dearfoams® company, is North America's leading developer and marketer of accessory footwear, a retail category led by slippers that also includes sandals, hybrid and active fashion footwear, slipper socks and hosiery. The Company was founded in 1947 and today controls an estimated 35% of the U.S. slipper market. It footwear products are sold through a broad spectrum of retailers under a family of proprietary, licensed and private label brands, including: Dearfoams®, the world's leading slipper brand; Terrasoles®, hybrid comfort footwear; Levi's® brand slippers and sandals; and Superga®, canvas/active fashion footwear. Visit us online at www.rgbarry.com to learn more about our business.

SOURCE R.G. Barry Corporation