June 17, 2008, New York, New York - LittleMissMatched, the leading brand of fashion, home and lifestyle products that nurture creativity and self-expression, announced today that it has completed its first round of funding to date from Catterton Partners, the nation's leading private equity firm in the consumer sector. An early investor in companies including Build-a-Bear, Frederick Fekkai, and PF Chang's China Bistro, Catterton Partners has committed $17.3 million of growth capital to LittleMissMatched.

The investment will be used to increase the company’s distribution, launch a flagship retail store in New York City within the next 12 months and expand the company’s product offerings, according to Jonah Staw, co-founder and CEO of LittleMissMatched.

LittleMissMatched also announced today an agreement with Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M), which operates more than 850 department stores, to open 85 "shop-within-a-shop" boutiques in Macy's stores throughout the country by September and additional boutiques in 2009.

LittleMissMatched products are available currently in more than 3,000 retail outlets nationwide including FAO Schwarz, Bed, Bath & Beyond and J.C. Penney.

"LittleMissMatched is one of the strongest consumer brands we've seen in a long time," said Michael Farello, partner, Catterton Partners, who will join LittleMissMatched's board of directors. "The brand inspires creativity and self-expression, both of which resonate strongly with consumers. In addition, LittleMissMatched scores higher on customer loyalty metrics than many of the most iconic brands."

"We are very excited about Catterton Partners' investment in LittleMissMatched and the opportunities it will enable," said Staw. "Catterton Partners' experience in the retail industry, branding expertise and support for our vision for the brand make them the ideal strategic partner for us as we continue our rapid growth."

Founded in 2004, LittleMissMatched launched with a collection of whimsical polka-dotted and striped socks sold in packs of three to encourage innovative and creative mixing and pairing. Their "nothing matches but anything goes" philosophy to dressing has, well, knocked people's socks off. Company sales have grown from $5 million in 2004 to $25 million last year and the company is forecasting a 100% increase in sales this year.

While launched as a company targeting 'tween' girls—girls between the ages of 8 and 14, LittleMissMatched also sold a collection of colorful and multi-patterned socks for women and discovered that 35% of their consumers were adults buying for themselves or other adults.

"We learned very quickly that the desire to express one's self in creative ways has no age limit," said Arielle Eckstut, co-founder and creative director, LittleMissMatched. "There's a little bit of kid in all of us and it's fun and healthy to let that kid out to play every now and then."

The company has since expanded to offer products for babies, toddlers, boys and even men.

The company has also extended its product offerings from socks to include pajamas, loungewear, underwear, swimwear, flip flops, accessories, jewelry, bedding, toys, school supplies and books that nurture individuality. The company's furniture line, introduced last year with Powell Furniture, a leader in home accent furniture, was the most successful new product launch in Powell's 40-year history. Designed to let girls transform their rooms continually into havens of self expression, the line includes beds with spinning headboards, reversible and flippable doors, drawers and panels and dry-erase furniture finishes.

Next year, the company is planning to launch an apparel line that lets consumers create their own looks. Sweaters will feature interchangeable sleeves, dresses will come long so they can be cut to one's preferred length and the extra fabric can be used to make a scarf, for example, and hoodie dresses will feature zip-off hoods, sleeves and skirts.

"Creativity is big business but it's also important business, especially where kids are concerned," says Eckstut. "With so much controversial, one-size-fits-all messaging inundating children every day, it's critical to empower them to express themselves and honor their individuality with evergreen and wholesome product offerings."

"This is a milestone in our company's history and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to reach more people in more places and encourage them to tap into their creativity and individuality," says Staw.

About LittleMissMatched
LittleMissMatched is the groundbreaking company that inspires creativity and individuality through their breadth of fashion, home and lifestyle products. The company launched in 2004 with a collection of colorful socks that don't match, which are sold in odd numbers to encourage girls of all ages to express themselves each and every day of the year. Their "nothing-matches-but- anything-goes" philosophy knocked people's socks off and sales jumped from $5 million to $25 million in just three years. Today, the LittleMissMatched product line includes everything from socks, winterwear and sleepwear to books, bedding and furniture for creative mavens of all ages. LittleMissMatched products range in retail price from $5 to $1,200 and are available at specialty boutiques and department stores nationwide including Macy's, FAO Schwarz, Bed, Bath & Beyond and J.C. Penney as well as online at www.LittleMissMatched.com where additional information may be found.

About Catterton Partners
With more than $2 billion under management, Catterton Partners is a leading private equity firm in the U.S. focused exclusively on the consumer industry. Since its founding in 1990, Catterton has leveraged its investment capital, strategic and operating skills, and network of industry contacts to establish one of the strongest investment track records in the consumer industry. Catterton invests in all major consumer segments, including Food and Beverage, Retail and Restaurants, Consumer Products and Services, and Media and Marketing Services. Catterton has led investments in companies such as Breyers(R) Yogurt Company, Wellness Pet Food, The Worth Collection, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Cheddar's Restaurant Holdings Inc., OSI Restaurant Partners, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, Frederic Fekkai, Kettle Foods, Farley's and Sathers Candy Co., and Odwalla, Inc. More information about the firm may be found at www.cpequity.com.

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