Raptor Consumer Partners (RCP) announced today that it has made a minority investment in Nic + Zoe, a manufacturer of women’s apparel. In conjunction with this investment, Nic + Zoe will leverage the marketing, branding, advertising, and design expertise of RCP’s creative agency, LIPMAN, to further develop and expand its brand presence.
“We are pleased to partner with Nic + Zoe as this leading brand grows its already well-established footprint on a national scale. RCP and LIPMAN look forward to leveraging our collective resources and expertise to build on the creative energy and growth momentum established by the Nic + Zoe team while continuing to deliver on the brand’s mission of providing high-quality, multi-occasion clothing for style-driven women,” said Andrew Spellman, Managing Director at Raptor Consumer Partners and Chief Executive Officer of LIPMAN.
Nic + Zoe is a manufacturer of women’s apparel that targets the underserved population of 35+ female shoppers. Nic + Zoe is distributed in more than 800 specialty stores across the country and has strategic partnerships with department stores such as Nordstrom. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in New York, NY (www.nicandzoe.com).
“We offer contemporary clothing for fashion-engaged women, who seek high-quality clothing versatile enough for every occasion,” said Mr. Spellman. “I am excited about the future of Nic + Zoe with RCP and LIPMAN as our partners. RCP has already found an exceptional CEO in Susie Mulder, who is the ideal executive to take this brand to the next level of retail distribution and profitability. I am very confident that with the support of RCP and LIPMAN, Nic + Zoe will grow into a global brand.”
LIPMAN is in the business of building iconic brands. Founded in 1927, and lead by David Lipman, its Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and Michael Mendenhall (former CMO of Hewlett Packard among other large roles) the 100 person company has built a reputation of excellence in branding, holistic marketing and creative work on iconic brands, and has current clients such as Lord & Taylor, LOFT, David Yurman, Canyons & Talisker Resorts, LVMH, Dior, Hudson’s Bay, Harry Winston, Yankee Candle, Vita Coco, Georg Jensen, Seven For All Mankind and Stuart Weitzman. The company is based in New York, NY (www.lipman-nyc.com).
Raptor Consumer Partners is the consumer private equity arm of Raptor Capital Management and is led by James Pallotta, John Burns and Andrew Spellman. RCP invests in emerging brands and seeks partner companies that have an out-sized potential for disrupting the marketplace. Partner companies include consumer-facing products, services or technologies that have a unique product offering or positioning, address unmet consumer needs, and have a clear path to accelerating growth. The firm has offices in Boston, MA and New York, NY (www.raptorgroup.com).
