CHICAGO, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hartmarx Corporation (NYSE: HMX) announced today that Jerry Kaye has been named Head Designer of the Dr. Martens(R) and Lyle and Scott Vintage apparel brands marketed by HMX Sportswear, Inc., a New York-based subsidiary of Hartmarx. Kaye will report to Eric Prengel, Group President of HMX Sportswear. "We are pleased to have as accomplished a designer as Jerry Kaye in place as we launch the Dr. Martens and Lyle and Scott Vintage apparel brands," stated Prengel. "Jerry's vast experience in taking heritage brands and making them modern and relevant in today's marketplace will be invaluable to HMX Sportswear as we continue to build a targeted portfolio of global lifestyle apparel brands."

Kaye's professional design experience spans over 20 years in the better men's designer marketplace. From 1993 to 2001 Kaye served as the Men's Design Director for Perry Ellis where he was instrumental in repositioning the brand in the 1990's. In 2001, he was elevated to Creative Director of Perry Ellis. Most recently, in 2005, he launched his own design and brand consulting firm. His clients included a roster of well-established brands such as Arnold Brant, Robert Graham and Levi's.

Kaye said, "I am excited to be part of an organization like Hartmarx which has set the standard for upscale, quality clothing in this industry for over 100 years. I am anxious to bring my broad experience in apparel design and branding strategy from the realm of fashion forward lifestyle collections to the development and reinterpretation of major global brands that already possess such unique cultural heritage."

In April, Hartmarx Corporation reached an agreement with Airwair International Limited and R Griggs Group Limited, the holders of the worldwide license for Dr. Martens, to manufacture, market and sell a wide range of men's and women's casual apparel under the Dr. Martens brand. The collections will be manufactured, marketed and sold by HMX Sportswear. The launch collection will feature menswear for Fall 2009, with women's to follow in 2010.

Lyle and Scott Vintage will represent an exclusive higher tier collection of Lyle and Scott, a classic Scottish heritage brand, for which Hartmarx has held the American license to manufacture, market and distribute since 2003. Distribution will be targeted at better department and specialty stores.

Hartmarx produces and markets business, casual and golf apparel under its own brands, including Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey Freeman, Palm Beach, Coppley, Monarchy, Manchester Escapes, Society Brand, Racquet Club, Naturalife, Pusser's of the West Indies, Brannoch, Sansabelt, Exclusively Misook, Barrie Pace, Eye, Christopher Blue, Pine IV, Worn, Blue House Drive, One Girl Who ... , Zooey by alice heller and b.chyll. In addition, the Company has certain exclusive rights under licensing agreements to market selected products under a number of premier brands such as Austin Reed, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry men's tailored clothing, Ted Baker, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Claiborne, Pierre Cardin, Perry Ellis, Lyle & Scott, Golden Bear, Jag and Dr. Martens. The Company's broad range of distribution channels includes fine specialty and leading department stores, value-oriented retailers and direct mail catalogs.

The comments set forth above contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" or "will" or the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees as actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

The statements could be significantly impacted by such factors as the level of consumer spending for men's and women's apparel, the prevailing retail environment, the Company's relationships with its suppliers, customers, licensors and licensees, actions of competitors that may impact the Company's business, possible acquisitions and the impact of unforeseen economic changes, such as interest rates, or in other external economic and political factors over which the Company has no control. The reader is also directed to the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional factors that may impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Hartmarx Corporation