Cam Newton Launches “MADE” Clothing Line
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
On Monday, Carolina Panthers quarterback & NFL star Cam Newton introduced his new “Made” clothing line, in a partnership with Belk department stores.
The Charlotte based department store partnered with Newton to launch “MADE Cam Newton”. The line will feature an exclusive line of men’s apparel, promising to offer fashion-forward, versatile, professional apparel options for men in the Fall of 2013.
The line will also include accessories and shoes.
“I’m happy to bring my vision to a clothing line that provides comfortable, on-trend clothing to men and that reflects my personal style,” said Newton.
By Spring of 2013, MADE Cam Newton will be available in 133 Belk stores across the southeast and online.
The clothing line will join Belk’s 20 private brands. Department stores use exclusive deals with designers and celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez’s line at Kohl’s, to differentiate their offerings and lure consumers with merchandise their competitors can’t offer.
“One of the ways we’ll secure growth is through private brands,” said Belk president Kathryn Bufano. She said Belk anticipates exclusive private lines will soon make up more than 30 percent of the company’s sales, a number she said Belk is already close to reaching.
And while the MADE line will be limited to men’s apparel and accessories at first, Bufano said the company will also consider adding areas such as children’s clothing and women’s watches under the “Cam Newton umbrella.” Pieces in the line will range from $20 to $120.
Belk operates 302 stores in 16 states, most of them in the Southeast. The company reported a $27.4 million profit in its most recent quarter, up nearly 10 percent from the same period last year.
Since his breakout AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season last year, Newton has landed endorsement deals with Under Armour and Gatorade, and is also a pitchman for Carolinas HealthCare System’s “Take the Ball” initiative to promote healthy living.
Newton and Belk started working together in the offseason, Newton said.
“This whole fashion ordeal is … something I’ve never done before,” he said. “They did an unbelievable job of taking my ideas and my fashion and making it a brand.”
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