September 16, 2003

GETTING LUCKY AT ALA MOANA CENTER

Hawaii’s largest shopping center is the site of the Islands’ first Lucky Brand Jeans

HONOLULU — Lucky Brand Jeans –– one of the country’s hottest denim brands –– will open for business on October 10 on the mall level of Ala Moana Center, between Nine West and Wet Seal.   This is the first Hawaii store for the Vernon, California, based company, which hopes to open two additional Hawaii locations within the next year.

Established in 1991, Lucky Brand Jeans is the brainchild of Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman (creators of Bongo Jeans, a wildly popular brand in the 1980s).   The brand boasts premium denim fabrics treated with innovative washes and finishes. It also produces a full collection of sportswear, active wear, underwear, accessories and fragrance for men, women and children.   The style and fit of Lucky Brand products make them appealing to men and women of all ages.

Montesano and Perlman helped build the reputation of Lucky Brand Jeans through careful selection of retailers and store locations. Ala Moana Center was selected because of its diverse customer base and proven support of premium products.

“Ala Moana Center customers appreciate quality brands and a service-oriented shopping experience,” said Amy Hennisch, senior vice president of retail for Lucky Brand Jeans.   “We’re excited about supporting the local customer as well as vacationers who know and love the brand.”

Lucky Brand gives each store its own individual feel, featuring one-of-a-kind artistic elements that make it distinct and friendly to the town or neighborhood in which it is located.  Lucky Brand’s Ala Moana Center location was designed with “an appreciation of Island life,” incorporating reclaimed wood, vintage wallpaper, found furniture, original artwork and a relaxed, tropical lifestyle.

“We’re ecstatic to have Lucky Brand Jeans opening at Ala Moana,” said Sharon James, regional vice president of marketing for General Growth Hawaii.   “They bring a fantastic, high-quality product that offers shoppers another choice in fashion.”

Lucky Brand Jeans brings with it a long-standing partnership with the entertainment industry, having sponsored film festivals such as the American Film Institute’s Los Angeles International Film Festival and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.   Lucky Brand Jeans has also had its products featured in major motion pictures such as Scream II, 28 Days and Jackie Brown –– as well as primetime television programs such as Felicity, Friends and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Ala Moana Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc.  General Growth Properties is the nation’s second-largest shopping center owner, developer and manager.  General Growth currently has ownership interest in, or management responsibility for, a portfolio of 160 regional shopping malls in 39 states.  The company portfolio totals approximately 140 million square feet of retail space and includes over 16,000 retailers nationwide.  A publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), General Growth Properties is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP.  For more information on General Growth Properties and its portfolio of malls, please visit the company Web site at www.generalgrowth.com.

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