Aldo Product Services (APS), a division of the Aldo Group, gave the first look at what’s to come from its new G.H. Bass license at an event in Paris last week.
On Friday, APS president Jonathan Frankel hosted an exclusive cocktail party at the rooftop of the Hotel National des Arts et Métiers during Paris Men’s Fashion Week to introduce the 150-year-old American footwear brand’s new leadership and direction under the Montreal-based company.
“With the incredible support of our partners at G-III — especially the team led by Jeff Goldfarb — we’ve got a proven playbook for heating up brands,” Frankel told FN. “Just like we did with Sperry, we’re bringing the energy and momentum. But don’t call it a comeback.”
In April, APS inked a new deal with G-III Apparel Group to become the strategic licensing partner for the G.H. Bass brand.
Under the terms of the seven-year exclusive licensing agreement, APS will design, manufacture, distribute, market and sell G.H. Bass footwear, bags and small leather goods starting in the spring/summer 2026 season.
Jonathan Frankel seen at the G.H. Bass cocktail party in Paris.
Courtesy of APS
The deal also gives Aldo Group the rights to distribute G.H. Bass products across North America. This partnership also includes the management of the e-commerce platform, Ghbass.com. G-III previously had the brand’s operations in-house prior to this deal.
Frankel noted at the time of the announcement that the company will work on curating special partnerships and fashion collaborations for G.H. Bass, while also focusing on the brand’s signature Weejuns loafer range.
“G.H. Bass has such an incredible archival library to pull from, and we will be leaning into our sourcing capabilities to unlock a lot of categories for the brand,” Frankel told FN in April.
The full spring/summer 2026 range will be available for buyers to see during the August FFANY market week in New York. Frankel expects to be on a regular product schedule for the fall ’26 season, which will debut during FFANY in December. By then, retailers can anticipate seeing an expansion of the line into everyday dress styles as well as comfort and boots, the exec noted.