NEW YORK, July 27, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Bill Blass, Ltd., LLC, a division of NexCen Brands, Inc. (NYSE: NEXC) announced today that Peter Som has been appointed creative director of the company's women's division and Michael Bastian, creative director for menswear. In this role Som will oversee the entire women's design teams for Bill Blass licensed and wholly owned businesses, including the ready-to-wear collection. He will assume his new role beginning with the Pre-Fall 2008 Women's Collection. Prabal Gurung, who has been at Blass for four years, will remain design director for the collection reporting to Som. Bastian will design and oversee a men's high-end collection for the brand to be launched at a later date as well as all licensed and wholly owned menswear categories. While assuming responsibilities in these roles, Som and Bastian will continue designing for their own namesake fashion houses.

Robert D'Loren, President and Chief Executive Officer, NexCen Brands, Inc. said, "The appointment of these two talented forces in the industry, Peter Som and Michael Bastian, shows our focus and commitment to ensuring a successful future for the Bill Blass brand. Each women's and men's division will have its own defined creative vision, and the roles of Peter and Michael will enable the brand to receive a level of attention in each design area that it hasn't had previously."

Bill Blass has become one of most internationally recognized brands for women's ready-to-wear since its inception in 1970. The legendary Bill Blass brand was built on offering elegant designs executed in the finest fabrics, a tradition that lives on in the company today.

"The return of Peter Som to Bill Blass is a wonderful and nostalgic journey for us. Shortly after Peter left his design assistant position at the company, he accepted a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Mr. Blass who was unable to attend the ceremony, and was a milestone accomplishment for the brand," said Michael Groveman, Chief Executive Officer of Bill Blass, Ltd., LLC. "It is also a pleasure to welcome the incredibly talented Michael Bastian to the Bill Blass menswear division. He will become the first creative director for menswear the company has had since 1978."

Peter Som, a San Francisco native and graduate of the Parsons School of Design, launched his first collection of women's wear in spring 2001 after honing his skills in the design rooms of Bill Blass, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. Som has since emerged as one of the most promising young American designers. His signature style is designing clothes with a spirit of unstudied elegance, best known for their clean yet unfettered feminine appeal.

Som said, "I'm thrilled to return to Bill Blass as the women's creative director. I have always thought fondly of my time there as an assistant designer. I look forward to fully embracing my new role and the exciting future that lies ahead. My current focus is to evolve and modernize the brand by incorporating my own aesthetic while staying true to Mr. Blass' vision and legacy."

The former men's fashion director for Bergdorf Goodman, Michael Bastian launched his own menswear collection in 2006 after noticing a void in the men's designer market for classic American apparel produced at a luxury level and with a modern fit. He was a nominee for the 2007 CFDA Newcomer Menswear Designer of the Year award, as well as a recently announced finalist for this year's CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund award.

"The opportunity to be part of the re-launch of the Bill Blass men's line is incredibly exciting for me. He was always someone I greatly admired, and in my opinion, completely epitomized the idea of the American Gentleman - charming, engaging, caring, always beautifully put together, but in an approachable, loosened-tie sort of way. I am looking forward to reinterpreting these ideals for the modern customer," said Bastian.

NexCen Brands, Inc. is the premier 21st century brand acquisition and management company focused on assembling a diversified portfolio of intellectual property (IP) centric companies operating in the consumer branded products and franchise industries. The Company owns, licenses, franchises and markets a growing portfolio of consumer and franchise brands including The Athlete's Foot(R), Bill Blass(R), MaggieMoo's(R), Marble Slab Creamery(R) and Waverly(R). The company licenses and franchises its brands to a network of leading retailers, manufacturers and franchises that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in the U.S. and in over 45 countries around the world and consists of in excess of 1,150 of its own franchised stores. NexCen, through its information technology (IT) and franchisee support systems and advertising, marketing and public relations team, markets its brands to continually drive greater consumer awareness and brand equity for each of its brands. NexCen touches nearly every aspect of a consumer's lifestyle from the food they eat to the furnishings in their homes and the clothes and footwear they purchase.

Bill Blass epitomizes Timeless Style and Modern American design. Founded by William Ralph Blass in the 1970's, Bill Blass from its inception offered women modern, sophisticated, tailored clothing. The company's reputation was built on elegant designs executed in the finest fabrics. The company remains true to its design heritage by favoring the always fashionable over the fleetingly trendy, acquiring a dedicated following of the world's most stylish women and making Bill Blass an internationally recognized brand.

SOURCE Bill Blass, Ltd., LLC

Caitlin DiStefano of PaulWilmotCommunications
+1-212-206-7447 ext.54
or fax, +1-212-206-9166
cdistefano@greatpress.com, for Bill Blass, Ltd., LLC