NEW YORK, N.Y., March 1, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Haute Hippie, the brand known for its strong fashion forward designs targeting the well-travelled woman with an international style, announced that it has hired Robert Feinberg as its new President. The brand was recently acquired by an investor group comprised of Hilco Global, luxury distributor Madaluxe, and strategic brand licensing expert Earthbound late last year. The company plans to continue to build out its retail and creative management organization as it introduces new lines and expands the brands retail network.

Mr. Feinberg is an apparel industry veteran having spent his career building brands at Gillian and AJ Bari, ultimately serving as the President of the company. Feinberg is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative management style which eventually led him to open his own dress label, Kay Unger New York, in 1996. Mr. Feinberg served as the CEO of Kay Unger New York, for over twenty years.

Feinberg brings over 35 years of apparel expertise and many long standing retail relationships to the Haute Hippie brand.  Feinberg said "I'm thrilled and excited about the opportunity to continue building this iconic brand within the contemporary fashion segment of the market."   Feinberg has a reputation for developing strong retail partnerships and working well with product designers and style experts. Feinberg said "Haute Hippie will continue to deliver its unique fashion forward style with exciting new looks and strong retail relationships going forward. The brand has an outstanding and talented product team and is introducing new designs that will connect well with the contemporary customer."

In the fall of 2015 the Haute Hippie announced the appointment of Ms. Cady Vaccaro as its new Creative Director.  Ms. Vaccaro was one of the first designers at Alice + Olivia serving for almost 10 years most recently as the Senior Design Director.   Ms. Vacarro, having recently completed a series of well received Fall 1 and 2 market presentations said, "I'm excited to have Rob join me at such an important and creative time for the Haute Hippie brand".

Haute Hippie was founded in 2008 and is well known for its distinctive look which has developed a strong and loyal customer base in the lifestyle segment of the market.  Ms. Vacarro said, "Our brand inspiration reflects the values of empowered women with a strong sense of style.  The look leverages the brands original aesthetic while bringing in newness with great new fabrications and shapes. The reaction to our fall presentation was really exciting".

Haute Hippie is headquartered in Manhattan's garment district and has a strong retail presence, selling its collections in over 350 stores in the United States. Currently the label is sold in over 50 countries globally and featured in department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Harvey Nichols. Beyonce, Adriana Lima and Blake Lively are just a few of the top style icons that have worn Haute Hippie.

The investment group that acquired Haute Hippie indicated that they intend to aggressively support the brand, building new revenue streams through strategic initiatives such as launching exciting new designs, an Omni-channel sales strategy, creative brand licensing, and expanded brand marketing.  Jeffrey Hecktman, Chairman and CEO of Hilco Global said, "with the addition of Rob Feinberg as our new President and Cady Vacarro as Creative Design Director, we are sending a clear signal to the marketplace that Haute Hippie will continue to be a leader in the women's contemporary space".

Adam Freede, President of Madaluxe and an operating partner on Haute Hippie said "the brand is well positioned in the marketplace which has really allowed us to attract top retail management and design talent like Rob Feinberg and Cady Vacarro to our team".

About Hilco Global: Hilco Global (www.hilcoglobal.com) is an independent and diversified financial services company and the world's preeminent authority on maximizing the value of assets for both healthy and distressed companies.  Hilco Global operates as the holding company comprised of twenty specialized business units that work to help companies understand the value of their assets and then monetize that value.  Hilco Global has made successful strategic investments in iconic brand names and high-profile consumer companies, including Sharper Image, Polaroid, Ellen Tracy, HMV, Habitat, Linens 'N Things, White Hen Pantry, Denby Pottery, Tommy Armour Golf, Bombay Brands and more.

About MadaLuxe: MadaLuxe is the premiere distributor of the finest luxury fashion brands in the world.  The mission of Madaluxe is to be the foremost purveyor of Modern Luxury – artisanal appreciation merging with technical innovation, superior craftsmanship, creative design, sophisticated sensibility and sensual materials.  MadaLuxe has assembled a group of carefully selected brands representing this philosophy including Missoni shoes, Mauro Governa Bags, Givenchy scarves, Alessandro Oteri shoes and bags, Balmain swim, Sebastian Milano shoes and Chloe swimwear.  MadaLuxe has assembled a management team who worked global brands such as Prada, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo and Donna Karan, ensuring an understanding of the luxury world.

Photos accompanying this release are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=39225
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=39226

CONTACT: Gary C. Epstein
         EVP Chief Marketing Officer
         Hilco Global
         gepstein@hilcoglobal.com 
         847 418 2712