SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Youngevity International, Inc. (OTCQX:YGYI) (www.YGYI.com), a global direct marketer of nutritional and lifestyle products and also a vertically-integrated producer of gourmet coffees for the commercial, retail and direct sales channels, announced today the formation of MK Collaborative, a wholly owned subsidiary of Youngevity International, Inc. This new venture uniquely positions Youngevity in the direct selling industry with the potential to market a line fully developed by a designer with reach into “A” list celebrities.
“Marisa Kenson is an acclaimed and talented celebrity fashion designer with her pulse on the trend of today’s contemporary woman,” said Steve Wallach, Youngevity’s Chief Executive Officer. “I could not be more proud to add this category to our growing line of products. Marisa Kenson is set apart from other designers in that she holds the patent pending design for the “invisible belt dress”, which is receiving excellent feedback in the fashion industry. We are very proud to bring that unique innovation to the line Marisa is creating for Youngevity.”
Marisa Kenson hand selected the design team, stylists, and multimedia marketers that make up the MK Collaborative. The line will be premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in Park City, Utah from January 16th through 26th. Also, the line will be revealed during a showcase along with other Youngevity products at The Oscars in March 2014.
“We are thrilled to be a part of these new venues for Youngevity and expect to take advantage of Marisa’s vast reach into the Hollywood A list circle,” said Michelle Wallach, Youngevity’s Chief Operating Officer, who was instrumental in building the relationship between Youngevity and Ms. Kenson.
“Youngevity and their mission for total body health has special meaning to me and after getting to know the quality of Youngevity’s Mineral Makeup line, I knew aligning my talents with Youngevity was a total fit,” said Marisa Kenson. “I am so energized to work with such a great team of talented professionals and design a line of clothing and jewelry, from contemporary to trend and couture, that will integrate well with Youngevity’s Mineral Makeup and skin care products,” she added.
“One of the unique aspects of this collaboration,” said CEO Steve Wallach, “is the competitive advantage we expect to gain by being able to leverage our visionary CFO, Dave Briskie’s 18 years of experience in the apparel and accessories market.”
“It is very meaningful to be able to use my past experience to help the MK Collaborative team and Marisa Kenson create something truly unique in this significant market,” said Dave Briskie, Youngevity’s Chief Financial Officer. “We have a top team, an extraordinary designer, experienced management, and some of the more motivated and exceptional women in the entire direct selling industry. We are further strengthened in this endeavor by the additional leadership who became part of Youngevity through the acquisition of Heritage Makers a few months ago. Our apparel and accessories line exemplifies our distinctive vision as an exclusive body, mind and spirit lifestyle company.”
Youngevity plans to launch Marisa Kenson’s inaugural collection within the MK Collaborative in May 2014 with the first trunk of clothing, jewelry and corresponding makeup and skin care items. A new trunk collection is anticipated to be unveiled every eight weeks thereafter.
About Youngevity International Inc.
Youngevity International Inc., (OTCQX:YGYI) (www.YGYI.com ) is a fast-growing, innovative, multi-dimensional company that offers a wide range of consumer products and services, primarily through person-to-person selling relationships that comprise a "network of networks." The Company also is a vertically-integrated producer of the finest coffees for the commercial, retail and direct sales channels. The Company was formed after the merger of Youngevity Essential Life Sciences (www.youngevity.com) and Javalution Coffee Company in the summer of 2011. The company was formerly known as AL International, Inc. and changed its name to Youngevity International Inc. in July 2013.
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