WWD reports about Nicole Miller increasing the number of her licenses. Considering that every license, no matter how small or big, requires a minimum of attention, to us this rather sounds like handling a bag of fleas, then a profitable licensing portfolio.
“Now when Nicole Miller dresses her customers, she will do it from head to toe. The designer and president of the 23-year-old eponymous brand is rolling out footwear, handbags, belts and
jewelry for spring in a renewed accessories push that she and chief executive officer Bud Konheim anticipate will boost the $800 million the brand generates at retail by more than 25 percent.
The expansion into accessories will all be under license, increasing the brand’s partnerships with outside firms for accessories to seven from two. Nicole Miller has a deal for an assortment of sunglasses and a second for hosiery, both of which have been active for more than a decade.
Recent agreements include a license for luggage, one for women’s shoes, another for handbags and umbrellas and one for belts.
Last month, Nicole Miller rounded out the mix by entering into an agreement for a collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.
Nicole Miller counts 24 licenses for its brand, including 11 for its home collection distributed exclusively at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and the brand has had licenses for accessories in the past.
“We’ve learned a lot,” said Konheim. “When you hear about us in the past in terms of licensing, we made some mistakes and we had to switch. We had to learn every lesson in a painful way.”