Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton and Steve & Barry's Launch the WONDERWALL(TM) Collection, a New Surf & Skate Apparel Line

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080515/NYTH118 )

Hamilton partnered with a team of Steve & Barry's designers to create a cool and comfortable collection of high quality graphic t-shirts, board shorts, woven shirts, cargo shorts, accessories and much more. Authenticity and utility are of the utmost importance to Hamilton, who has put his signature board shorts to the ultimate test during his daily surfing and workout routine. The 165-item WONDERWALL collection will be sold exclusively at all STEVE & BARRY'S(R) locations, with every item priced at $9.98 or less. Visit www.thisiswonderwall.com for more information on the line and store locations.

The WONDERWALL collection takes its design inspiration from Hamilton's passion -- tackling water sports and skating challenges in some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. The line plays on the themes and colors of natural environments such asMaui, where Hamilton grew up and still resides with his wife, professional volleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece, and their daughters. Over 30 original graphic t-shirts in the collection play off Hamilton's approach to life, such as his personal tagline, "Every man is equal before a wave." Board shorts featuring edgy and artistic details are also at the core of the collection.

Hamilton said, "Wonderwall represents everything I'm about -- not only what I wear in and out of the water every day, but also those aspects of life that I'm most passionate about. I'm excited to work with Steve & Barry's to create clothes that look great and are comfortable, but also affordable. Guys that live the surf and skate lifestyle want to spend their time tracking the next big swell or finding a new skatepark, not worrying about having enough money for t-shirts and shorts."

Hamilton enjoys a huge fan base among people who crave extreme excitement and aspire to live the surf and skate lifestyle. Video highlights of his incredible feats on the water have been watched by millions on youtube.com, and his 2004 film Riding Giants is among the most successful surfing movies of all time. Hamilton is perhaps most famous for creating tow-in surfing as a means to challenge the most treacherous and highest swelling waves in the ocean. Tow-in surfing involves Hamilton and his surfboard being towed by a personal watercraft into a breaking wave where the wave is too large or moving too quickly for Laird to paddle into.

Not only does Hamilton possess a big appetite for challenging huge waves, he also has a big heart, and is using proceeds from the WONDERWALL collection to help battle autism. The collection includes a unique, limited edition graphic t-shirt, with a portion of sales of the shirt supporting Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), an organization that provides information, resources, and support to families affected by autism. Hamilton became involved in the effort to cure autism when film partner and close friend Don King's son was diagnosed with the illness.

Hamilton said, "Autism is a cause that is close to my heart. It touches the lives of so many families, and I'm very proud we're able to support TACA's efforts through Wonderwall."

Hamilton's commitment to battling autism also includes Path of Purpose, a documentary that chronicles his 500-mile trek across the Hawaiian Islands to raise funds so King could make a film about his autistic son. A preview screening of Path of Purpose on May 15th is scheduled as part of the WONDERWALL collection launch celebration. The documentary debuts on the Sundance Channel in July.

Hamilton was raised in a single parent household by his mother, who labored to make ends meet. Growing up with little money helped inspire his collaboration with Steve & Barry's, which is known for giving all shoppers access to high quality clothing at astonishing low prices. Hamilton and his mother moved toHawaii when he was a few months old, and he struggled to fit in. Things settled down when a young Laird met legendary surfer Bill Hamilton and introduced him to his mother. Bill Hamilton soon became Laird's adopted father and his mom's husband. Laird will never forget that transition and is eager to help families across the country in any way he can, including helping to create a high quality, affordably priced collection.

The WONDERWALL collection marks Steve & Barry's entry into the surf and skate category, building on the success of recently launched proprietary lifestyle brands that include women's clothing and footwear collections with Sarah Jessica Parker, Venus Williams and Amanda Bynes, men's urban and basketball gear and sneakers with NBA(R) superstars Ben Wallace and Stephon Marbury, and a line of high quality golf apparel with PGA Professional(R) Bubba Watson.

"Surf and skate is a natural extension of our lifestyle brand mix, and Laird Hamilton is the perfect partner to create a line that looks great and embodies his passion for life," said Steve & Barry's co-CEO Barry Prevor. "Laird is an icon for the millions of young men who live the extreme lifestyle today, and we're very excited to enter the category in a huge way together with such a legend."

About Steve & Barry's

New York-based Steve & Barry's is a leading casual apparel retailer that offers high-quality merchandise at astonishing low prices for men, women and children. Founded in 1985, the company operates over 260 anchor and junior anchor shopping center and mall-based locations throughout the U.S. At STEVE & BARRY'S(R) stores, shoppers will find brands they can't find anywhere else, including the BITTEN(TM) collection, the first-ever apparel line created by actress and global fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker, and the STARBURY(TM) collection of athletic and lifestyle apparel and sneakers created with NBA(R) star Stephon Marbury. Steve & Barry's is also the exclusive home of the DEAR(TM) collection by Amanda Bynes, the BIG BEN WALLACE(TM) collection, and the ELEVEN BY VENUS WILLIAMS(TM) collection. Additional information and store locations can be found at www.steveandbarrys.com.

About TACA

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides support, education and information, and resources to more than 8,000 families inthe United States who are touched by autism. One in every 150 children inthe United States has autism. Providing support services since 2000, 95 percent of TACA's programs are provided at no charge. TACA programs include education and support meetings, parent mentoring, the Autism Journey Guide, and the largest national call in center to help families. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families with professional assistance and serves to bridge the gap between diagnosis and effective treatment. For more information about TACA please go to www.tacanow.org

About Autism

Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder that typically affects children between the ages in 18 months to five years of age. Autism currently affects 1 in every 150 children born today. It is estimated there are over 1 million people inthe United States alone with autism. Autism affects each individual differently and at different levels of severity. Some people with autism are severely affected, cannot speak, require constant one- on-one care, and are never able to live independently. While others have less severe symptoms, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own. Some children with autism recover from intensive early intervention and medical treatments unique to their needs.

    Typically, autism affects individuals in four key areas:
      - Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
      - Social skills
      - Behaviors
      - Learning

TACA believes in early diagnosis, intensive therapies and medical intervention for children affected by autism. With early intervention, medical treatment unique to each person's needs, and necessary support services for families many children can improve greatly and some can recover from their autistic symptoms. We believe the future is not defined for many children affected by autism. Hope and recovery is possible.

NBA(R) and PGA Tour(R) are trademarks, service marks, and/or collective membership marks of their respective owners. (TM)WONDERWALL is a trademark of Flying Pigz LLC and is used with permission by Licensee. (TM)STARBURY is a trademark of Starbury Corporation. (TM)BITTEN is a trademark of 45220, Inc. (R)STEVE & BARRY'S is a service mark of Steve & Barry's LLC. (TM)ELEVEN BY VENUS WILLIAMS, DEAR, BIG BEN WALLACE, and BUBBAGOLF are trademarks of Steve & Barry's LLC ("Steve & Barry's) or an affiliated company of Steve & Barry's. Steve & Barry's LLC, STEVE & BARRY'S(R), STARBURY(TM), BIG BEN WALLACE(TM), and BUBBAGOLF(TM) are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NBA(R), PGA Professional(R), or their respective owners.

SOURCE Steve & Barry's

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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