Industry Veterans Haresh Tharani and Michael Setola Announce Venture with John Bartlett to Design Exclusive Collection for Bon-Ton Stores

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Tharanco Lifestyles, LLC today announced the signing of a license and design agreement with The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.  Under the agreement, Bon-Ton will partner with acclaimed designer John Bartlett for an exclusive private label collection of men's apparel and accessories.

Led by Haresh Tharani and Michael Setola, Tharanco Lifestyles is a brand management, design, and operating company that through acquisition or strategic partnership with emerging and established brands, provides a platform for international and domestic growth.  Under Tharanco Lifestyles, the Greg Norman Collection has expanded its consumer reach in the U.S., signed new product licenses, and added additional international distribution partners.

"The partnership with Tharanco Lifestyles has given me the financial and operational support and confidence needed to take my design perspectives to the next level.  I am thrilled to take on this new opportunity," said John Bartlett.

Michael Setola, President and CEO of Tharanco Lifestyles, said, "John is one of America's brightest talents.  We are proud to be partners with John, and extremely excited about the role we have played in bringing Bon-Ton and John Bartlett together.  This partnership represents an emerging business model to bring designer products to a mass audience."

"John Bartlett epitomizes the core ideals of the transaction type Tharanco Lifestyles seeks to build upon.  Our strong financial position coupled with deep industry experience and relationships are the foundation for our future growth," said Haresh Tharani, Chairman.

The John Bartlett line will be available for Fall 2011 and will include an extensive collection of separates cohesively designed to create the building blocks of a male wardrobe.  Men will find that the original aesthetic Bartlett brings to his high-end collection, such as tailoring, dress furnishings, and classic sportswear separates, will be available in his brand for Bon-Ton.  The collection will be launched with a media and marketing program and personal appearances by John Bartlett.

About Tharanco Lifestyles, LLC

Industry veterans Haresh Tharani and Michael Setola created Tharanco Lifestyles, LLC in 2009 with the acquisition of the Greg Norman Collection.  The partnership offers emerging and established brands a strong and resourceful operations platform with deep experience in apparel sourcing and brand building in the domestic and international markets.

About John Bartlett

Over the past 15 years, John Bartlett has established himself as one of the leading designers in America. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, John attended both Harvard University and the Fashion Institute of Technology where he trained as a menswear designer. Throughout his career, John has received many prestigious awards including two Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards and a Designer of the Year Award by the American Apparel and Footwear Association. In addition to his eponymous John Bartlett collection, John has served as creative director of the Italian brand Byblos, the American luxury brand Ghurka, and most recently for the Claiborne by John Bartlett brand. His work has been recognized in top magazines including GQ, Esquire and Details. John also serves on the Board of Directors for the CFDA. His flagship store is located in the West Village neighborhood of New York City.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 277 department stores, which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate.  The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.  For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.bonton.com.

SOURCE Tharanco Lifestyles, LLC