Legendary American clothier Brooks Brothers to open three-storey location in
Calgary

Third Canadian location proves growing demand for the American retailer

TORONTO, Aug. 17 /CNW/ - Calgary is set to see a boom in well-dressed executives after iconic retailer Brooks Brothers opens in the city's downtown today. The massive three-storey, 22,000 sq. ft. store - the company's third in Canada - will be located in The C.O.R.E, Calgary's only downtown shopping centre, and will feature the brand's complete collection for men and women.

"We're thrilled to bring Brooks Brothers to Calgary and expect that the store will be welcomed as a fresh addition to the city's growing fashion market," said Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman and CEO of Brooks Brothers. "Calgary has a rich corporate culture rooted in traditional clothing, but it is rapidly evolving to include new elements of style and comfort. As such, it is the ideal location for Brooks Brothers' next Canadian location."

Given the success the brand has already experienced in both its Vancouver and Toronto locations, the decision to expand into Calgary was a natural one.

Unique to the Canadian locations, however, the newest Brooks Brothers store will include a 1,500 sq. ft. Black Fleece designer shop on the second floor. The shop will showcase the brand's designer laboratory concept collection for men and women created by Thom Browne, recipient of the 2006 Council of Fashion Designers of America award for menswear. The Black Fleece collection, which debuted in fall 2007, draws from Brooks Brothers' vast archives, reinventing classic pieces to create styles that are modern and chic. The collection includes suits, sportswear, accessories and furnishings for both men and women.

Additionally, the Calgary location was selected to be among the first to introduce "Fleece" - Brooks Brothers' new collection for boys and girls. Created in partnership with noted children's wear designer Nikki Kule, Fleece is a youthful interpretation of Brooks Brothers' iconic styling and will mark the introduction of Brooks Brothers' first ever collection for girls.

The main floor will house Brooks Brothers' Country Club collection, which offers the finest in men's sportswear. Enhanced in 2008 with the addition of ProSport(TM), this line of high-performance garments features innovative fabrics ideal for golf, tennis, sailing and skiing. As with all stores, the Calgary location will offer collections for men and women, including the company's famous non-iron "miracle" shirts, as well as clothing for all occasions. Finally, the brand's Made-to-Measure service gives customers the opportunity to have their clothing crafted and customized to their individual fit and style specifications.

"We are confident that Brooks Brothers is right for the Canadian market," continued Del Vecchio. "Canada has been a significant addition to our international portfolio of stores and the opening of our third location really solidifies our presence here. We look forward to continued growth while providing Canadian shoppers with impeccable quality, value, customer service and, of course, clothes that suit their lifestyles."

About Brooks Brothers

Established in 1818, Brooks Brothers currently operates stores in the United States, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile, Canada and Dubai. The company also sells its merchandise through a direct mail catalogue and e-commerce site, www.brooksbrothers.com. Brooks Brothers was acquired in December 2001 by Retail Brand Alliance, Inc., a privately-owned company which specializes in manufacturing, merchandising and retailing.

Operating continuously for 192 years, Brooks Brothers is widely known as America's longest established retailer. The company is responsible for the introduction of many iconic products, including the button-down collar shirt, as well as seersucker and madras clothing.

Additionally, since the company's founding, Brooks Brothers has been worn by nearly every U.S. President, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, William Clinton and Barack Obama.

The Brooks Brothers brand is also prominent in popular culture. The company currently collaborates on costumes for numerous films and television programs, including Mad Men, Gossip Girl, Entourage and Stephen Colbert's The Colbert Report.

The first Brooks Brothers Canadian store officially opened in May 2009 in Vancouver at 1026 Alberni Street, with the Toronto store, located in the Royal Bank Plaza in the financial district, opening in August of that same year. Please visit www.brooksbrothers.com for all store locations.

For further information: Cathy Mitchell, Melanie Dulos, APEX Public Relations Office:, [phone] (236, 254), Mobile: [phone], [email protected], [email protected]