Brand Velocity Partners is Now Brand Velocity Group, Launches Fashion & Apparel Industry Vertical in Partnership with Gary Wassner

New Corporate Umbrella Acknowledges Growth Across Industry Pillars

Brand Velocity Group (“BVG”), a diversified investment platform, today announced the launch of its fashion and apparel industry-focused vertical, BVG Fashion & Apparel, in partnership with industry luminary Gary Wassner.

“We recognize that we have reached a critical moment in time where our core offering has evolved,” said Steve Lebowitz, founding and managing partner of BVG. “Our positioning reflects our continued growth into new and exciting avenues, the first of which is today’s launch of BVG Fashion & Apparel.”

BVG Fashion & Apparel will leverage the firm’s core competencies of operational expertise, marketing execution, and brand building—in addition to its thoughtful approach toward human capital—by providing investment and support to accelerate the growth of leading fashion labels.

“Many traditional private equity firms fail to realize that the value in fashion and apparel brands derives not just from financial metrics, but also the creativity and passion of their teams,” said Wassner. “BVG’s unique focus on human capital in addition to brand development is what will set us apart from other industry players and I’m looking forward to the work we will do together.”

Mr. Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corporation, has been providing factoring, financing, purchase order funding, back office support, and business guidance to the fashion industry for over 35 years. He has helped to launch iconic brands such as Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Thom Browne, and Betsey Johnson.

“What makes BVG great is the power of our network and our deep connectivity across all areas of popular culture,” said Drew Sheinman, founding partner of BVG. “Gary brings unrivaled access to the fashion industry’s established and emerging players, which fits perfectly into our model and will be invaluable as we look to pursue opportunities at the intersection of entertainment and fashion.”

About Brand Velocity Group

Brand Velocity Group (BVG) is an innovative and diversified investment platform focused on investing in businesses that are well-positioned to benefit from its operational expertise, deep in-house marketing resources, and thoughtful approach toward human capital. BVG has deep strategic partnerships with specialty brand marketing agencies that develop and execute marketing plans across its investments. Portfolio companies also leverage BVG’s vast sports and entertainment networks to create accretive partnerships with athletes, celebrities, and other businesses. In addition, BVG recognizes the worth of all portfolio company employees, each of whom is valued and critically important to their continued, collective success. In recognition, the firm dedicates 10% of its total carried interest pool (i.e., its primary means of compensation as investment managers) in every investment to the employees. This is the Share the Gains program, which ensures that all employees of portfolio companies share in the success of the firm’s united efforts. To learn more about BVG, its portfolio companies, and its innovative growth strategies, please visit www.brandvelocitygroup.com.

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