About Us

The UK's fastest growing house of brands

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BRAND
LICENSING
AND 
MANAGEMENT

A Global platform in brand ownership and operational excellence.  

Manchester-based Apparel Brands acquires, develops and manages high-equity brands across fashion, lifestyle and sport categories. ​

Backed by True since 2023, the Apparel Brands portfolio includes iconic streetwear and fashion labels such as Bench and Nicce, renowned accessory and Kids brand Just Hype, alongside licensed products from distinguished names Castore, Farah, Seafolly and Ed Hardy.

Through strategic brand ownership, category licensing, and executional strength, Apparel Brands transforms brand potential into global performance – building equity, expanding reach, and generating revenue.

With headquarters in the UK, it has created an international network with sales and distribution arms in Europe and North Americas, alongside its network of customers and licensees across 44 countries.

The History of Apparel Brands

2017

Licensed apparel

Peter Wood and Ama Singh founded the business taking on licences.
Our first brand was Farah.

2018

Licensed apparel

For Slazenger, Kangol
and headwear for Von Dutch

2019

Licensed apparel

For Bench apparel

2020

BENCH IP acquired

30% holding in Bench ROW rights acquired. First brand owned by the Group. Equity investment in IPCO.

2021

Licensed aquired

For Ed Hardy socks and underwear

2022

Licensed aquired

For NICCE socks/underwear and loungewear and Sea-Folly girls

2023

NICCE IP

acquired
Acquisition of the Nicce
IP in April 2023

True Investment

Investment by True in
August 2024. Ama
Singh exited the business

2024

Bench Americas + EU expansion

Bench IP acquired across the Americas and Germany/EU, deepening links into Germany, Austria, Switzerland.

Hype IP acquired

Acquisition of the Hype IP in October 2024.

2025

License acquired

Acquisition of the Hype IP Castore license acquired for socks and underwear.

Opened flagship distribution centre

Consolidating existing bulk warehouse sites into one central hub, based in the North West.

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Ed Hardy LogoFarah LogoMoney Logo0NICCE LogoSeafolly LogoSmith and Jones Logo
Ed Hardy LogoFarah LogoMoney Logo0NICCE LogoSeafolly LogoSmith and Jones Logo