Webwear Gets Musical

U.K. high street fashion supplier Webwear has signed music-publishing licenses with EMI, Warner/Chappell and Chrysalis Music Publishing for design-led apparel featuring song lyrics. Corporate Creative Licensing brokered the deal.

The collection will initially feature women's and men's T-shirts, followed by hoodies, polo shirts, zip-up sweatshirts and jogging bottoms. The range will incorporate graphic design work and typography with song lyrics.

"This partnership is an inspirational new venture, combining fashion and music to bring to the high street a range of T-shirts and casual clothing inspired by some of the world's greatest lyrics," says Terry Grossman, managing director of Webwear. "At a time when fashion retailers are feeling the pinch and the economic climate is unsteady, Webwear has the courage and the confidence to launch an exciting new project which we are positive will reap fantastic results for each of the high street stores involved."

"Lyrics are the poetry of our time," says Andrew Alston, licensing director of Corporate Creative. "They tell a story while evoking a memory, a passion or a sentiment. Now we can literally wear these statements of identity across our chests. As the iPod generation expands, popular culture, and the music you listen to has never been so important."

EMI Music Publishing's catalog includes songs from  "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to "Singin' In the Rain."

Warner/Chappell publishes lyrics from the likes of George and Ira Gershwin to Madonna and Chrysalis Music Publishing names Blondie, David Bowie, Wet Wet Wet, and Leonard Cohen in its catalog.

Webwear supplied U.K. high street retailers River Island, Miss Selfridge and Jane Norman.