EXPRESS Teams Up with Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Entertainment's Pitch Perfect 2

EXPRESS Teams Up with Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Entertainment's Pitch Perfect 2

Fashion Retailer to Debut Collection Inspired by the Comedy's Characters

NEW YORK, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EXPRESS, Inc. (NYSE: EXPR) today announced EXPRESS' partnership with Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Entertainment's Pitch Perfect 2, in theaters May 15, 2015. Beginning this month, EXPRESS will debut a dual-gender collection based on the looks seen in the film.

https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20150512/215572

The dual-gender collection was handpicked by the film's costume designer, Salvador Perez, and it features tropical florals, vibrant summer dresses, black-and-white studio separates and statement accessories for women. The men's collection boasts denim, crisp suiting, casual shorts and the brand's best-selling 1MX dress shirt in a limited-edition ombre design. The entire collection is now available exclusively online at express.com.

"EXPRESS is excited to be partnering with Universal and Gold Circle on Pitch Perfect 2," said Patrice Croci, Vice President of Brand Marketing at EXPRESS. "The looks of the Bellas and the Treblemakers aligns perfectly with our dual-gender millennial consumer. We are thrilled to leverage Salvador's expertise in handpicking styles inspired by the film, and to feature these looks on express.com."

"EXPRESS has always been the go-to store for costume designers because the brand has such a wonderful design esthetic with so many great options to choose from," said Perez. "When styling the costumes for Pitch Perfect 2, I had many characters to dress and needed to project a variety of individual styles, several of which I found at EXPRESS. From rock-star glam to collegiate chic, I was inspired to select from the total EXPRESS assortment, clothes for the Pitch Perfect 2 Collection on express.com that everyone can relate to, ultimately allowing fans to build a versatile, stylish wardrobe."

Get in on the behind-the-scenes action by following EXPRESS on Instagram (@ExpressRunway), Twitter (@ExpressLife) and Facebook (Facebook.com/EXPRESS) #PitchPerfect2.

About EXPRESS, Inc.:

EXPRESS is a specialty apparel and accessories retailer of women's and men's merchandise, targeting the 20 to 30 year old customer. The Company has over 30 years of experience offering a distinct combination of fashion and quality for multiple lifestyle occasions at an attractive value addressing fashion needs across work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. The Company currently operates more than 600 retail and factory outlet stores, located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. EXPRESS merchandise is also available at franchise locations in the Middle East, Latin America and South Africa. The Company also markets and sells its products through the Company's e-commerce website, www.express.com.

About Pitch Perfect 2:

The Barden Bellas are back to pitch slap the world in Pitch Perfect 2, the follow-up to 2012's runaway global hit about a group of lovable misfits with only one thing in common: the irresistible way they sound when they're seamlessly mixed together, mashed-up and arranged like never before.

It's been three years since the Bellas brought their signature vocals, style and attitude to become the first all-female group to win a national title. But when they get banned after a scandal that threatens to derail their last year at Barden, the three-time defending champs worry that this time they've lost their harmony for good.

With just one chance left at redeeming their legacy, the Bellas must fight for their right to win the World Championships of A Cappella in Copenhagen. And as they struggle to balance the pressures of musical domination with senior angst, it will take the power of sisterhood to find their voice and see what it takes to be the world's top pitches.

Directed by Elizabeth Banks, co-star and producer of Pitch Perfect, and produced by Pitch Perfect's Paul Brooks and Max Handelman and Banks, the comedy finds Kay Cannon back with the team to pen the next chapter and co-produce. www.pitchperfectmovie.com

About Salvador Perez:

Salvador Perez is an accomplished and versatile costume designer, working in many genres--from feature film and television movies, to television series. Born and raised in California, Perez moved to Los Angeles to attend The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to pursue a career in fashion design. Once other costume designers discovered his stitching talents, he began assisting on films likes Titanic, The Flintstones, and Barb Wire. As a costume designer, Perez has taken his experience and applied it to creating characters on projects as diverse as the hit TV series The Mindy Project, Castle, Moonlight, Veronica Mars, the Lifetime movie Liz and Dick, and feature films including PitchPerfect, Think Like a Man 1 and 2, Men of Honor, Drumline, and Faster. Perez just finished Pitch Perfect 2 and is currently working on Season 3 of The Mindy Project. He currently serves as President of the Costume Designers Guild. Follow Perez on Twitter @mrsalperez, Instagram @salvadorperezcostumes and at www.salvadorperezdesigns.com

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing:

Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal's consumer product and digital licensing for Universal Pictures, NBC Television, Focus Features and Sprout Channel. This dedicated division is also responsible for film, home entertainment and television promotions. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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SOURCE Express, Inc.

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Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/NY76292LOGO
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Express, Inc.

CONTACT: Matthew Owens, 646-502-4978, mowens@express.com

Web Site: http://www.express.com


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