EXPRESS EXPANDS COLLEGIATE ATHLETE STYLE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Fashion apparel retailer Express, Inc. is gearing up for college basketball’s biggest month by announcing the expansion of the company’s successful collegiate athlete style ambassador program. Expanding beyond its headquarter city of Columbus, Ohio, the brand will bring on Jahvon Quinerly (Alabama), Justice Sueing (Ohio), Keyonte George (Texas) and Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) for each of the athlete’s first fashion deals.

“The time was right to expand our collegiate athlete style ambassador program and we are so pleased to welcome four more top athletes to join our styling community,” said Sara Tervo, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Express. “Over the last year, we have seen incredible success with this program. We can’t wait to work with these talented athletes who have great style and represent confidence and authenticity.”

The social-first campaign will be seen across the brand’s owned channels, talent channels and paid media. George, Quinerly, Smith Jr. and Sueing are each taking to Instagram and TikTok throughout the month to highlight their style tips that create confidence for them off the court. Express will also style these new ambassadors in its Spring ‘23 collection for their collegiate events and appearances throughout the season.

Built on the accomplishments of the brand’s first collegiate athlete partnerships, this expansion reflects the continued growth of the Express Styling Community, which invites style enthusiasts to support the brand’s purpose to create confidence and inspire self-expression.

For more information on the Express Styling Community and the newest collegiate style ambassadors, visit Express.com, @expressmen on Instagram and @express on TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

MERRELL CREATES SIZE-INCLUSIVE COLLECTION WITH UNLIKELY HIKERS

Merrell®, the world’s leading hiking and outdoor footwear brand, has released its second collection in collaboration with Jenny Bruso and Unlikely Hikers – designed in a playful, ungendered colorway and sizeinclusive in wide widths and hard-to-find sizes.

The collection – including a colorful design of the brand’s beloved Moab 3 and trendy apparel and accessories – invites all outdoorsmen. It offers extended sizing apparel and wide width footwear because one size does not fit all. The color choice allows for creative expression for all who wear it – no matter how they choose to spend time outside. The full collection can be found online in the U.S. and Canada.

“We set out more than six years ago to build a community of hikers and adventurers of all shapes, sizes, genders and abilities after seeing a need to have more diversity represented in the outdoor community,” said Jenny Bruso,

Unlikely Hikers founder. “Now, we’re able to give a voice and provide products to those not always heard or represented in the outdoor community.”

Unlikely Hikers is a diverse and inclusive Instagram community that welcomes the underrepresented outdoorsperson to explore confidently. The group was created by and for people of size, people of color, queer, trans and gender nonconforming, people with disabilities and people who utilize the outdoors to aid in mental health.

“The second year of our partnership with Unlikely Hikers allows us to continue opening the outdoors for all and reducing barriers to getting outside,” said Merrell Marketing Manager Regina Hill. “As we look to redefine and reimagine the outdoors, we’re building partnerships like this and products that amplify the importance of inclusivity in sizing and representation.”

The Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers is the latest rendition of the world’s best-selling hiker, featuring more comfort, traction and sustainability all with the same famous fit and durability. The collection also includes two bags, one hat and shirts in extended sizing.

The Unlikely Hikers collaboration is available at merrell.com.