Former Billabong USA President Paul Naude is starting brands all over the place with his new company Stokehouse Unlimited. He’s got the oddly named clothing brand Vissla, and then there’s D’Blanc eyewear, but now we get work that he’s also behind the launch of a new (as yet unnamed) women’s swim/sportswear brand from action fashion veterans Summer Rapp and Mandy Fry (pictured right).
“It has been a lifelong dream to start our own business and we feel now is our time to stake ownership and create a brand from the ground up,” said Fry. “We’re both entrepreneurs by nature and come from families of business owners who have taught us so many valuable lessons. We have also spent our careers learning from the best in the industry about how to build and sustain brands in the ever-changing apparel industry.”
Naude will offer the back office muscle while Rapp and Fry act as co-presidents and roll out the goods, reportedly.
“Partnering up with Paul for financial and operational support is instrumental in making this dream a reality,” added Rapp. “With his passion and vast experience in the California lifestyle business, we’re equipped to design, market and deliver all-around quality product. We both look up to Paul in so many ways and are honored to embark on this journey with him.”
The great thing about fashion is that people are always looking for the new new, especially when it’s coming from recognized players. For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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