Tom Nastos Appointed President of ENK International

2009-05-28 01:11:01 -

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 05/27/09 -- ENK International (ENK), the fashion industry's premier tradeshow organization, announced today the appointment of Thomas Nastos as president. Mr. Nastos, a highly regarded executive in the textile, apparel and footwear industries, has served as member of the ENK Board of Directors since 2007.



"I am very pleased to have Tom join me in the day-to-day activities of ENK," said Elyse Kroll, Chairman of the Board and Chief Creative Officer of ENK International. "Tom's extensive background in the industries that are critical to our business will be extremely valuable as we focus on refreshing the WSA footwear show and implementing our growth strategy across ENK's other product platforms. I look forward to working closely with him," Ms. Kroll added.



"As a director of the company, I have become familiar with the tremendous business that Elyse created, which when joined with Forstmann Little's history of backing growth companies results in a compelling company that is well positioned for the future," Mr. Nastos said. "The company's acquisition of the WSA Footwear Show was an important step in expanding ENK's product categories," Nastos continued. "I look forward to working with Elyse on a regular basis to build ENK International going forward."



In May 2006, Forstmann Little & Co., one of the most successful private equity investment firms, acquired a majority stake in ENK. Chris Davis, General Partner, Forstmann Little & Co., and an ENK Director said, "We are very pleased that Tom has agreed to work directly with Elyse in leading the day-to-day operations of ENK. His deep experience in the textile, apparel and footwear industries allows him to provide strong operational leadership while appreciating the perspective of both exhibitors and retailers as we expand the company's product platforms to continue to grow the company."



Since 1999, Mr. Nastos has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Endurance LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of such well known brands as Paper Denim, Joseph Abboud Jeans, Rocawear and ProKeds.



Prior to Endurance, Mr. Nastos served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aris Industries with such recognized brands as Perry Ellis Jeans, Outerwear and Loungewear, Fubu Boys, Members Only Outerwear, xoxo and Baby Phat. He also served for nearly a decade as President and Chief Executive Officer of Synergy International, a $120 million private label supplier.



Mr. Nastos is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at Cornell University and also serves as a professor of graduate studies in supply chain management at the Fashion Institute of Technology.



About ENK


ENK International provides the forum for the fashion world to conduct business. It is the leading tradeshow organization serving the upscale fashion marketplace, including the men's, women's, accessories, footwear, and children's categories. Founded in 1981 by Elyse N. Kroll, the Company conducts 22 events per year, 16 of which are held in New York City, and five in Los Angeles. ENK events are attended by critical fashion retailers, representing both specialty and department stores from around the world.
They represent over 9,000 domestic and international exhibiting companies, and over one million net square feet of exhibit space.



The Company's FASHION COTERIE brand is the unrivaled marketplace for women's high-end designer, contemporary, denim and lifestyle fashion in the United States and is a "must attend" exhibition for high-end buyers and sellers of women's fashion. SOLE COMMERCE was launched in response to market demand and since its inception in 2001, SOLE COMMERCE has doubled in size. INTERMEZZO Collections debuted in 1988, creating the mid-season buying and selling marketplace for women's wear. Taking place in January, May and August, these shows provide the industry with the opportunity to buy products mid-season and for immediate purchase. The ACCESSORIE CIRUIT brand was launched in 1987 and is the most important women's accessory exhibition in the country and takes place three times each year. The COLLECTIVE, as with all ENK brands, represents only the highest end of the men's fashion world. In 2000, the Company launched its children's exhibition under the brand CHILDREN'S CLUB in response to market demand and customer persuasion.
BRIGHTE COMPANIES are the Company's West Coast events in LA. In 2006, ENK International launched its first premium denim exhibition called BLUE, and an intimate showcase for very exclusive international accessories called CLEAR.



About Forstmann Little and Co.



Since 1978, Forstmann Little has made 30 acquisitions and significant equity investments, returning billions of dollars to its investors. The firm's best-known investments include Gulfstream Aerospace, General Instrument and Ziff-Davis Publishing. The firm currently holds substantial ownership interests in Citadel Broadcasting, a leading radio broadcaster in mid-sized markets, 24 Hour Fitness, the world's largest fitness center company, and IMG Worldwide, the world's premier sports, entertainment and media company and the owner and producer of New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, as well as ENK International.

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