A New Partnership Blossoms for Kathy Ireland Worldwide and Florabundance in the Fresh Cut Flower Market - July 7, 2008

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jul 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kathy Ireland Worldwide, the design and marketing company founded by CEO and Chief Designer, Kathy Ireland, today announces a new partnership with Florabundance, Inc. of Carpinteria, CA, signaling KIWW's emergence into the fresh cut flower market with a special focus on the floral design and planning events segments. The new partnership will be known as Kathy Ireland Designs by Florabundance.

Florabundance was established in 1994 and quickly became an innovator in direct shipment of premium fresh cut flowers, foliages, garlands, wreaths, and bouquets for florists, wedding specialists, floral designers, and special event planners.

Florabundance is well known among California event planners having provided floral solutions to the Academy Awards, the Rose Bowl Parade and prestigious exclusive resorts.

"Having Kathy serve as our Chief Designer and bring her talents in design and marketing is an exciting opportunity for Florabundance. The fact that Kathy is from the Santa Barbara area, where 65% of the flowers we sell are grown, will allow us to synergize the strength of both companies, to innovate and introduce exciting and creative solutions to our customers,"

said Joost Bongaerts, President of Florabundance.

Kathy's empire made its debut in the floral market when its Specialty Brand Jardin du Jour won a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco Flower and Garden Show.

"It is a great joy and honor to begin this journey with the team at Florabundance. The extraordinary care and leadership that this great team brings to the world of all things floral is truly exciting. We are joined in this endeavor by landscape designer, Nicholas Walker, who serves as Brand ambassador for Kathy Ireland Worldwide and its outdoor living extension,

Jardin du Jour.

Bringing the beautiful gifts and scents from the garden to businesses everywhere through Florabundance is powerful. Every business can now access their own wondrous green house," said Kathy.

Kathy Ireland Designs by Florabundance will offer over 850 flowers in 20 different categories including exotic and distinctive flowers like Garden Roses, Hydrangea, Orchids, Tropical's, and Greens. Future plans include the introduction of flower bulbs, and a one of a kind compliment of fresh cut assortments to further support Kathy's mission of "finding solutions for families, especially busy moms."

SOURCE: Kathy Ireland Worldwide
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