Lija announces the launch of three entirely new, style-conscious ...

Tag : Quick-Drying Fabric
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) - Leading sports lifestyle apparel designerLinda Hipp and her company, LIJA, announce the launch of threeentirely new, style-conscious collections in the Active, Leisureand Tennis categories for Spring 2009.

Focusing on innovative style, femininity and superior quality, thenew collections showcase a variety of luxurious, lightweightperformance fabrics designed to enhance functionality, comfort andmovement. Key technical properties of the tank tops, t-shirts,vests, dresses, jackets, capris, shorts, skorts, pants and skirtsinclude moisture wicking, quick drying, breathability and UVprotection.

"Over the past decade, we've built LIJA into a leading golf andsportswear brand by breaking down the barriers between on- andoff-course fashions," says Hipp, principal designer and founder."Our core philosophy is to offer women comfortable, attractiveclothing for all their pursuits, which is embodied by our stylishsilhouettes for the Active, Leisure and Tennis markets."

Highlight items like Tennis' sleek Vapor Form Jumper and Active'sWillow Endeavor Dress underscore the vital role performance fabricsplay in the new categories. The ultra-lightweight materials includesuperior stretch, water- and wind-resistant characteristics idealfor many pastimes. Additionally, the modal cotton used in the LuxeKnit Superfemme Jacket - and throughout the rest of the Leisurecollection - features extreme softness.

LIJA's complete offerings for Spring 2009 - including the brand'sfour other golf and sportswear collections - will be sold indepartment stores and the finer country clubs, resorts andoff-course retailers throughout North America, such as PebbleBeach, Kiawah Island, Whistling Straits, Congressional and others.

Retailing from $65 to $130, the Active, Leisure and Tenniscollections are highlighted in a 40-page catalog currentlyavailable for retailers and media members. Shipping begins February15.

A pioneer in the golf apparel industry, LIJA's growing presence intop clubs is supported by a variety of initiatives, including itsTour Style Leaders program. The unique new approach to sponsorshipprovides eight elite players from the LPGA, Futures and LadiesEuropean Tour with an expansive selection of LIJA products to wearon- and off-course. The golfers are also entered into a season-longcompetition for a Grand Prize valued at $25,000 consisting of acash bonus and apparel sponsorship for the 2009 playing season,among other components.

The company's clothing is worn by scores of women golfprofessionals worldwide, including Marisa Baena, Courtney Erdman,Jennifer Greggain, Leta Lindley, Brenda McLarnon, Jane Park andGeorgina Simpson and others.

For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com .

About the Active, Leisure and Tennis Fabrics

Compression, a dense Meryl® Nylon/Lycra that is stretchy andsoft to the touch, is LIJA's core fabric for the active and tenniscollections. This fabrication has body hugging support, moisturewicking and UV protection of 40+, providing perfect conditions forexcellent performance.
Available in Active and Tennis

Fluid, LIJA's most luxurious fabric, is extremely lightweight andhas a beautiful, buttery-soft feel. Once you're in it, you won'twant to get out! Designed for comfort and mobility, this fabricalso provides important technical features such as moisture wickingand UV protection of 20+, and is quick drying.
Available in Active and Tennis

Hybrid, a textured technical knit, is an open weave knit fabricwith superior stretch and comfort. This lightweight moisturewicking fabric is ideal for high performance activities as the openmesh weave provides breathability and pulls moisture away from yourskin. The easy care of this fabric makes it a "must" for an activewardrobe.
Available in Active and Tennis

Vapor is sleek, luxurious and ultra lightweight. Its key features,including enhanced stretch for mobility, quick drying capabilitiesand UV protection of 50+, will provide you with a competitive edgein all your active pursuits.
Available in Active and Tennis

Willow is a beautiful, translucent, wind-resistant fabric that isso lightweight, you forget you have it on. This easy-carefabrication is also compact and water-repellant.
Available in Active

Verve, LIJA's mid-weight fabric, is perfect for layering duringwarm up or cool down. It not only provides a buttery soft feel nextto the skin, but is quick drying and has all the necessarytechnical properties, including moisture wicking and UV protectionof 40+.
Available in Active and Tennis

Silk Knit is a beautiful, lightweight knit with a feminine dropneedle pattern.
Available in Leisure

Bello Knit is a luxurious, ultra lightweight fabric providing amore 'drapey' look to the garments. Available in Leisure
French Terry is an incredibly soft modal that feels beautiful onwhile the spandex provides enhanced stretch for movement.
Available in Leisure

The Lux Knit fleece fabric has a classic look and feel to it with amore unique "slubby" modified French Terry back.
Available in Leisure

About LIJA

LIJA is a market leader in fashion-forward styles featuringfeminine and comfortable silhouettes inspired by the fusion ofsport, leisure and fashion. The brand's distinctive excellence isdriven by LIJA's passion, commitment and dedication to creatinginnovative designs.

Having received significant recognition within and outside the golfindustry, LIJA has achieved significant organic annual salesgrowth. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account basein North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Ireland,South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.

Recent recognition for the company includes:

2008 PGA Magazine - Resort Top Seller
2008 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies
2007 "Business of the Year" - Richmond Chamber of Commerce
2007 PGA Magazine - Resort Top Seller
2007 PGA Magazine - Private Course Top Seller
2007 Best of Show Honors at PGA Show - Golfing Magazine
2007 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies
2006 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs
2006 Business in Vancouver "BC's 50 Fastest-Growing Companies"
2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year - Score Golf magazine

Individually, Linda Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient ofthe Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes andfunds select Canadian designers, and voted a "40 Under 40" winnerby Business in Vancouver.

An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-courseapparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility.Recognizing a market opportunity - and the chance to combine herpassions for fashion, golf and business - Hyp Golf was launched inJuly 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chieflyinfluenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp hasgarnered a widespread reputation as one of North America's hottestsportswear designers.