• Brand Information

Armani Jeans is a lower-priced collection of denim-related clothing manufactured by Giorgio Armani. Unlike Armani's other lower-end collection Armani Exchange, Armani Jeans is mainly sold in department stores instead of freestanding stores, although there are fifteen freestanding Armani Jeans stores in the world, in addition to an Armani Jeans Cafe in Milan.

In terms of design, the clothing from this line is markedly different from other Armani collections. It does not feature Giorgio Armani's signature simplicity and often has larger logos than the clothing in any of his other collections. The colors used for Armani Jeans are more diverse than those found in his higher end lines or his other lower-priced collection (Armani Exchange), which feature monochromatic color schemes and focus on cut and material over color.

There are several Armani Jeans freestanding stores throughout the world, including several in Italy, Dubai, Lebanon, Japan and Spain. The brand is particularly popular in Asia, where it is often sold in Takashimaya department stores. Armani Jeans also holds the second part of Armani's brand called Caffe. The majority of this brand is Emporio Armani Caffé whereas the world's only Armani Jeans Caffé is in Milan, Italy. Part of the philosophy behind this is that the line must compete with other denim lines such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, which often feature larger logos and brighter colors.

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Diesel S.p.A. is an Italian based designer clothing company which produces apparel aimed at the lucrative 18 to 35-year-old market. Diesel also creates a kids and sportswear line.

The company was founded by Renzo Rosso and his former boss Adriano Goldschmied (of the AG Jeans company) in 1978. Diesel's milestone years include 1985 (Renzo's complete acquisition of the company), 1991 (beginning of the international marketing strategy) and 1996 (opening of Diesel's first flagship store on New York City's Lexington Avenue).

Most of Diesel's current production is outsourced to small and medium-sized companies. Production of denim jeans is based mainly in Italy. The headquarters are located in Molvena, in the north-eastern part of Italy, where the company manages 17 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The company owns more than 200 retail outlets worldwide and also wholesales to better retail boutiques and department stores, and has around 3,500 employees. Annual sales are approximately € 1.2 Billion according to 2005 figures.

Denim sales make up the core of the Diesel S.p.A. brand's business.

Brands like Diesel are part of a surge of small denim-based brands like True Religion, Seven for all Mankind, Rock and Republic and Paper Denim & Cloth to name a few. There are said to be over 700 denim-based brands in existence to date according to fashion industry trade-magazine Women's Wear Daily [WWD].

The Diesel name is licensed to other companies to produce footwear, leather goods, eye wear, jewelry, wristwatches produced by major time-piece brand and company Fossil, as well as fragrances (held by mega beauty company L'Oreal), and other accessories for men and women. In February 2007, the company launched a major intimates and beachwear division for men and women that is carried in the retail and department stores. The license is held by the US company Mast Industries Inc. who also produces lingerie for Victoria's Secret.

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G-Star RAW is a Dutch based clothing company which produces high fashion urban apparel. Their clothing is frequently used in runway modeling.

G-Star was originally named Gap Star. The company decided to change their name upon going international outside the home country of Holland. The brand specializes in making RAW denim. This is an unwashed, untreated denim in which all jeans start out as after being constructed. G-star is highly influenced by military clothing, inspiration of their designs come from vintage military apparel bought around the world. Some examples include special cell phone pockets, and zippered arm pockets on jackets.

G-Star's flagship store is located in New York City. The brand is well known to hip and fashionable people. G-Star Raw now shows at New York Fashion Week.

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Hugo Boss established his company in Metzingen , Germany, in 1923, only a few years after the end of World War I , while most of the country was in a state of economic ruin.

Before and during World War II , Boss's company both designed and manufactured uniforms and attire for the troops and officers of the Wehrmacht as well as for other governmental branches of Nazi Germany, including the SS .

Boss died in 1948, and the company then languished in relative obscurity until the 1950s , when, in 1953, Hugo Boss released its first suit design for menswear. In 1993, 70 years after its founding, Hugo Boss launched its first fragrance , and created a division which has since grown to be an important part of the company.

In 1999, Boss Orange for men was launched described as sporty and casual separating itself from the trendy Hugo brand and the sophisticated Boss Black brand. Boss Green is a completely sporty brand selling items designed for sport or a sporty look.

The company's products, divided over three brands, are available throughout the world in 103 countries and more than 5,002 retail stores. These brands are Boss , Hugo , and since 2004, Baldessarini . The latter, BaldessariniGmbH, is a more independent business unit which focuses on a more prestigious image than its two sister brands. It sells, like the other Hugo Boss brands, clothing, shoes, fragrances and accessories but will leave Hugo Boss after the Spring/Summer 2007 collection has been sent to boutiques. This is due to the newly launched premium Boss line, Boss Black Selection, outselling Baldessarini.

Baldessarini fashion was recently sold for up to € 9m (Aug 2006) to Ahlers AG--a fashion brand holding company. Werner Baldessarini will continue to design the collections; he will also be in charge of marketing.

Hugo Boss is presently a subsidiary held by Italian Valentino Fashion Group S.p.A.

Today's sub-brands for men include: Boss Black/Boss Black Selection, Boss Green, Boss Orange, Hugo, and Baldessarini. For women: Boss Black, Boss Orange (announced in July 2005 for Spring/Summer 2006 launch) and Hugo. Also part of the brand are Lifestyle Accessories.

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Paul & Shark was founded in 1921 in Masnago, Varese (close to Milan). The company started off as a knitting mill producing and trading under its own name. Sportswear for men was introduced in 1977. Since then ladies, cadet and golf collections have been introduced. Paul and Shark stores can be found worldwide. In the UK it is commonplace in the casual football scene / style, especially with followers of northern clubs, most notiably Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland. It does not have quite the same notoriority as Stone Island does, but Paul and Shark has largely become a logo recognisible for members of hooligan gangs / firms.

Paul & Shark's logo consists of a shark and the shark is commonly used in its products from accessories to clothing. Paul and shark yachting is the casual style range with paul and shark bretagne usually being the more up market alternative of this, usually making good quality jumpers, caps and polo shirts.

The Paul & Shark club is similar in some aspects to a travel reward programme such as Asia Miles. The cardholder will get miles whenever he/she buys a Paul & Shark product. These miles can be used to redeem gifts, clothing and accessories.