Croatian design firm Manu's character-based brand Lil 'Ledy is the winner of this year's One to Watch contest for new Licensing Expo exhibitors.

"Lil 'Ledy stood out for its incredible versatility, not only in the many themes Manu has already created for the brand but in the range of consumer products this could easily translate to," says Steven Ekstract, global publisher License! Global magazine, and head of the License! Global judging panel. "We expect to see great things from this brand.”

Lil 'Ledy merges the aesthetics of Japan and Sweden and is targeted to teens and young women. Manu has already released range of collections that showcase the character in a diverse range of settings including Autumn Apples, Let's Celebrate, Rococo and Summer in the City.

Created by veteran designer Antonija Majstorovic with the help of friend and business partner Sonja Stahor, the company first showcased Lil 'Ledy at Brand Licensing Europe last fall.

"We are targeting females of all ages," says Majstorovic. "There are so many brands for girls out there, but we saw a gap for that in between group to spread a positive message. Just being a One to Watch finalist was approval of the brand, but we are out of this world to be named the winner."

Manu was selected from among 40-plus submissions and 6 finalists for the top honor based on its originality, huge licensing potential and on-trend aesthetic. Visit Rinekwall to see for yourself in booth D41.

The other finalists include:

“Any one of our finalists could have easily won,” says Ekstract. “All of these brands offer wholly unique licensing opportunities in a range of categories that the judges and I found very exciting. I highly recommend you check them out while you’re here in Vegas.”