PUMA and Neil Barrett Launch Italia Kit

MILAN (Italy) 29th March (PROTEXT) - Today, PUMA and NeilBarrett launch the 2004 Italian National Team kit at StadioMeazza (San Siro), Milan. Named creative director of PUMAsItalia Collection in 2003, Neil Barrett provided the creativevision of the new playing kit, lifestyle apparel range andpersonally designed the offical formalwear for the team. Theteam will represent Italy in the complete kit on March 31stagainst Portugal.

Neil Barrett has worked closely with PUMAs design team tocombine the brands technical sport expertise with his fashionsensibility for a full spectrum of Italia products that spansperformance sport, lifestyle and fashion. The inspiration for thenew playing kit came from protective armour worn by Romangladiators blended with Barretts signature layered garments.Various items from the jersey, short and shocks, reflect thisinspiration.

PUMA is a brand known for blending elements of sport,lifestyle and fashion and this collaboration with Neil Barrettand the Italian National Team is our strongest campaign to datewhere each element has been executed under one umbrella, saidJochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman and CEO. In January we debuted thefashion element on the catwalk here in Milan, and now we areback to reveal the kit along with the rest of the range.

Neil Barrett specifically designed a formal representationsuit for the players. The team officials, both men and women,will also wear a PUMA suit designed by Barrett. A version ofthis will be available for consumers this autumn in PUMAs 96HOURS collection, which was debuted at Milan Fashion Week duringNeil Barretts catwalk show.

To complete the Italia collection, there is a completelifestyle range. This collection blends PUMAs sportlifestylepositioning under the direction of Neil Barrett. Key elements ofthis range include the integration of embroidered badges andunique appliqués.

All PUMA Italia products will be available at retail on April3 in PUMA Flagship Stores and select retailers.

Note to the Editors: All product and event images will beavailable to download from the Web by logging ontohttps://www.pumaspace.com Username: ITALIAPR Password:pumamilan PUMA Neil Barrett Italia sport, lifestyle and fashionproduct images will be posted at 3:00pm Monday, March 29; theofficial team photo available at 8:00pm Monday, March 29; andteam photo formalwear will be posted March 30.

About Neil Barrett Of British descent, Neil Barrettsprofessional history is thoroughly Italian, including five yearsas Senior Menswear Designer at Gucci, four years as DesignDirector of Prada Menswear and launching his own brand namecollection in 1999 produced by among others, the Prada Group andAllegri. For further information, please visitwww.neilbarrett.com

PUMA is the global athletic brand that successfully fusesinfluences from sport, lifestyle and fashion. PUMAs uniqueindustry perspective delivers the unexpected in sportlifestylefootwear, apparel and accessories, through technical innovationand revolutionary design. Established in Herzogenaurach,Germany in 1948, PUMA distributes products in over 80 countries.For further information please visit www.puma.com.

Football Contact: Lucy Finnegan Football Marketing PUMA +44207 439 0960 lucy.finnegan@puma.com

Media Contact: Lisa Beachy International Public RelationsPUMA + 1 617-488-2945 lisa.beachy@puma.com

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