B.J. Vines, aka Betsey Johnson, is a perennial favorite among women who are funky and consider themselves eclectic, and after some 30 years in the business, the eccentric designer and her company namesake are still going strong. Betsey Johnson clothes, shoes, fragrance, makeup, lingerie, legwear, and accessories are distributed through about 50 specialty stores of the same name and department stores worldwide. B.J. Vines has expanded its product offerings and operations through about a dozen licensing agreements. Having owned a majority of the firm, Johnson sold a controlling stake to Boston-based private equity firm Castanea Partners in August 2007.

The business was founded in 1950 as Samuel Aaron International. The Aaron Group supplies rocks to those who dig bling. The diamond and gemstone jewelry manufacturer fills two niches -- it makes moderate to low- end jewelry (sold to mass merchandisers and department stores, including Macy's and Belk), jewelry chains, television retailers, catalogs, and Web sites) and midrange to high-end jewelry. Retail customers range from Wal-Mart to QVC to Helzberg Diamonds and Zales. It also is a major exporter, through its Thailand division (Thai-link Trading Co.), to Asian, Australian, European, and South American markets. The firm has operations in Costa Rica (Samuel Aaron Costa Rica) and India (Sai India).

Donna Karan International (DKI) defines the metropolitan flair that bridges the difference between stylishly casual and conventional. The firm designs and sells men's and women's clothes, including suits, sportswear, accessories, and shoes, under the Donna Karan New York, DKNY, DKNY Jeans, and DKNY Active labels. DKI sells to upscale department and specialty stores and through its own retail stores. It also licenses third parties to run most of its international stores. Fashion leviathan LVMH holds a majority stake in Donna Karan, although designer Karan still remains in creative control of its fashion lines and is helping to rejuvenate her namesake brand.

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (Schweitzer-Mauduit) is a diversified producer of premium specialty papers and the world’s largest supplier of fine papers to the tobacco industry. Schweitzer-Mauduit conducts business in over 90 countries and employs approximately 3,600 people worldwide, with operations in the United States, France, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines and Canada and with a joint venture under construction in China. Schweitzer-Mauduit became an independent public company on December 1, 1995 with the spin-off by Kimberly-Clark Corporation of its United States, French and Canadian operations that produced tobacco-related products. Schweitzer-Mauduit is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWM.Schweitzer-Mauduit’s manufacturing facilities have a long history of producing paper dating back to 1545. The Company’s domestic mills led the development of the North American tobacco-related papers manufacturing industry, which was originated by Peter J. Schweitzer, Inc. that began as an importer of cigarette papers from France in 1908.

Bills Khakis company, headquartered in a refurbished Rust Belt factory, makes all of its premium khaki pants, five-pocket jeans, corduroys, seersucker pants, shorts, shirts, headwear, and other apparel in the US. Products are distributed through men's and women's clothing stores, including Nordstrom and specialty shops, as well as the company's Web site. Limited edition products are issued annually while retired items are "archived." CEO Bill Thomas founded the company when he could no longer find the WWII army surplus khakis that he loved.

Ergodyne Corporation company, founded in 1983, is owned by president and CEO Tom Votel. Ergodyne helps to ease the pain for those tenacious folks who make a living in the trenches. The company provides personal protection products and comfort accessories to commercial, industrial, and institutional customers worldwide. Its offerings include equipment bags, eyewear and ID lanyards, elbow and back supports, gloves and kneepads, and personal heating and cooling apparel. Brands include ProFlex, Arsenal Equipment Storage Systems, Chill-Its, Squids, and GloWear, which features high-visibility vests and clothing for construction workers.

Imperial Dax Company makes and markets DAX brand ethnic hair care products, such as African Sage Oil, pressing oil, pomade, petroleum jelly, African Braid Spray, SuperGro, Marcel Curling Wax, Kocatah, and Super Hair Conditioner. Its DAX Relax line includes an all-in-one hair relaxer, as well as maintenance products for relaxed hair. The company also makes skin conditioners, including cocoa butter creme and petroleum jelly. DAX brand products are sold in supermarkets and drugstores stores and online.

A subsidiary of food distributing giant SYSCO, Guest Supply makes more than 7,000 guest-room accessories and operating supplies for the hospitality industry. Its products include personal care items (mini soaps, shampoos), housekeeping and laundry supplies, room accessories, paper products, and bed, bath, and table linens. It offers brand-name products, such as Bath & Body Works, Dial, and Neutrogena, as well as custom and generic items, and distributes them from its more than 15 facilities. Guest Supply also offers hotel furniture, fixtures, and equipment, coffee appliances, and kitchenware.

The world's #1 luggage maker, Samsonite makes softside and hardside suitcases, garment bags, and business cases under brand names such as Samsonite and American Tourister. The company also licenses its name for non-luggage products and dabbles in designer clothing. Samsonite makes travel gear (backpacks, duffel bags, wheeled luggage) for Timberland through a licensing agreement. It sells its products in more than 100 countries and through about 200 stores. Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners owns a majority stake in the ailing luggage maker.

To IT Holding, fashion-conscious youth are a priority. Pulling itself up by its bootstraps is another. Its Ittierre unit makes youth collections for top fashion houses, including Versace and Roberto Cavalli. IT Holding offers youthful apparel and accessories under its own Extè name. The company also owns luxury clothing firm Gianfranco Ferre -- its marquee brand -- and cashmere company Malo. With manufacturing facilities in Italy, IT Holding sells its products in about 70 of its own stores and about 6,000 department stores and shops worldwide. IT Holding went into administration, the Italian equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in February 2009 soon after its Ittierre subsidiary did the same.

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