Gio! Giorgio Armani Corporation is the American arm of Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani S.p.A. The US operation, which generates about a quarter of its parent's revenue, makes and retails upscale apparel for men, women, juniors, and babies. It boasts a retail network of about 50 Armani Exchange stores, a dozen Giorgio Armani boutiques, and a pair each of Armani/Casa and Armani/Cafe outlets. The firm also has a dozen Emporio Armani shops and is expanding the banner in Hawaii. Giorgio Armani licenses its name to manufacturers of perfume, cosmetics, watches, eyewear, jewelry, and accessories. Its Giorgio Armani Cosmetics unit operates within its own stores, as well as through Nordstrom and Saks.

Stefanel makes the clothes that make the man. Or the woman. The company makes knitwear and casual clothes under the Stefanel and Hallhuber brands. In 2007 the company launched the upscale casual clothing brand HIGH through its Interfashion subsidiary. Stefanel's fashions are sold primarily in Europe, and in Asia to a lesser extent, through its roughly 700 stores. It also owns a 50% stake in airport retailer Nuance Group, which has more than 340 shops in some 70 airports across the globe. Stefanel's knitwear is produced at the company's Italian factory while Hallhuber goods are made in its home country of Germany. The company was founded in 1959 by Carlo Stefanel, whose family still runs the business.

C&J Clark International Ltd. company is one of the largest makers of casual shoes in the world, manufacturing and selling its notoriously homely Clarks, Bostonian, and K Shoes brands for men, women, and children in department stores in more than 150 countries, as well as online. C&J Clark also operates some 550 Bostonian, Clarks, Hanover, and K company-owned stores, mostly in the UK, but also worldwide. C&J Clark is the UK market leader in shoes, ahead of Marks and Spencer. Founded in 1828 as a sheepskin tannery, about 70% of C&J Clark is now owned by the 500 living descendants of co-founder James Clark.

Morris Matalon founded the company in 1965, and it continues to be a family-owned and -managed business. Celebrity International keeps kids from running around in their birthday suits. The children's apparel manufacturer operates through three main divisions: Celebrity, Lovespun (private label), and Vitamins Playwear. The company makes and markets bath, play, sleep, and swimwear, as well as bodysuits and sweaters, under licensed and proprietary brands, such as Vitamins Baby, Vitamins Kids, Sahara Club, Beatrix Potter, and Barney for Baby. Celebrity International's apparel offerings are sold through upscale retailers, including Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale's, and Gottschalks, as well as online.

The NeoStrata Company, founded in 1988 by two doctors who specialize in skin research, is a skin care firm dedicated to researching, developing, and marketing Alpha Hydroxyacid (AHA) skin products, as well as natural compounds using polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and lactobionic acids. Some items are sold exclusively to dermatologists and plastic surgeons, while others sell in spas, salons, beauty stores, and department stores. Its brands include NeoStrata (anti-aging), Exuviance, CoverBlend (cosmetics), and NeoCeuticals (for specific skin conditions) that are sold in the US and more than 60 foreign countries.

Parlux Fragrances, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Parlux Fragrances, Inc. engages in the creation, design, manufacture, distribution, and sale of fragrances and beauty related products worldwide. It also offers body lotions, creams, shower gels, deodorants, soaps, and dusting powders. In addition, the company provides watches, handbags, purses, and small leather goods under the Paris Hilton brand. It offers its products under Paris Hilton, GUESS?, Jessica Simpson, Nicole Miller, XOXO, Ocean Pacific, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, and babyGUND brands on a licensee basis. The company markets its products primarily through specialty stores, national department stores, chain drug stores, mass merchandisers, perfumeries, and pharmacies.

Lady Burd Exclusive Cosmetics, a private-label manufacturer of personal care products, makes skin care items, color cosmetics, mineral cosmetics (such as those made by Bare Escentuals), hair care products, children's products, makeup brushes, cosmetic bags and cases, and displays. The company also provides custom printing and labels for products. Lady Burd Exclusive Cosmetics operates showrooms in California, New York, and Florida and offers make up courses (ranging from workshops for professional makeup artists to private consultations for teens and adults). The family-run business was founded by Roberta Burd more than 45 years ago.

Joseph Turner was founded by former number-cruncher Chris Legard in 1987. Joseph Turner is looking to expand its corrale of stylish devotees without bringing on the bricks. The tailored shirtmaker retails two-fold Egyptian cotton shirts and markets other items of apparel, including ties made of silk from Northern Italy; sterling-silver or gilt-plated cufflinks; cashmere and lamb-wool pullover sweaters made in Scotland; dress and casual shoes; and a variety of accessories. The company's retail operations include catalog and online sales; it does not retail through storefront shops.

Alexandra plc company makes and sells apparel, shoes, and accessories for the workplace, including the catering, medical, hospitality, transportation, and security industries. Products may be purchased through about half a dozen retail outlets in the UK, as well as by mail order and online. Alexandra also offers a bespoke service (about 50% of sales) that tailors uniforms for large corporations. While more than 90% of its sales originate in the UK and Ireland, Alexandra also does business in Holland, France, and several other countries in Europe and overseas. Alexandra sources more than 95% of its garments overseas in countries, such as Morocco, India, and in the Far East.

Swiss Watch International is keeping its eye on the time. The Florida-based company designs and makes timepieces worldwide and distributes or owns watch lines including SWI (Swiss Watch International), Edox, Giordano, Jacques Lemans, Magico, Swiss Legend, Triumph Motorcycles, and Ventura. The firm sells watches to other wholesalers, as well as to retailers. Internet discount retailer Overstock.com buys the majority of its timepiece offerings through Swiss Watch. Well known throughout the watch industry, founder and chairman Eli Ben-Shmuel has his sights set on expanding the company's retail operations. Ben-Shmuel and his three sons run Swiss Watch International.

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