By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Is the next fashion trend in Latin America and the Caribbean going to be khakis and chinos?
Authentic Brands is betting on it, and has taken a big step in its mission to expand its Dockers brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The company says it has signed a long-term strategic partnership with International Apparel Corporation (IAC) to expand the Dockers brand across Central America, Ecuador, the Andean region, and select Caribbean markets.
The Dockers brand, introduced in 1986 in San Francisco, California, has positioned itself as the authority in khaki pants for more than 30 years. The brand offers a range of apparel and accessories emphasizing comfort and versatile style.
Under the agreement, IAC will oversee manufacturing and distribution of Dockers products across key categories, including men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel and accessories. The partnership establishes a dedicated platform to support the brand’s expansion throughout diverse retail and cultural landscapes in these regions.
Pokémon to Acquire Its US Distribution Partner Excell Brands
“IAC is an industry leader with deep operational expertise and a successful track record of scaling lifestyle brands across the region,” said Corey Salter, President of Entertainment and International at Authentic. “We are excited to partner with them and are confident in their ability to bring Dockers to new consumers while preserving the brand’s unique DNA.”
The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between IAC and the Dockers brand spanning two decades in Central America. Denis Abadi, IAC’s co-owner and CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to the expanded partnership.
“We are incredibly honored, excited, and proud of this long-term partnership with Authentic and with the Dockers brand in particular, which we have worked with and built over the last two decades across Central America,” Abadi said. “We are committed to leveraging this partnership to enhance our product offerings and reach new heights in the apparel industry, and we just can’t wait to embrace this new project with IAC’s full force and determination.”
A Shared Strategic Alignment
Authentic and IAC say they share a vision centered on long-term brand building, operational excellence, and a localized approach to product development, distribution, and market activation. The partnership pairs Dockers’ global brand recognition with IAC’s regional experience, retail relationships, and consumer insights to drive growth while maintaining market relevance.
The agreement also represents part of Authentic’s broader strategy to build regional partnerships that support brand growth through market-specific partners.
IAC has operated for over 20 years as a distributor of international lifestyle brands in Latin America through apparel, footwear, and accessories. Since 2003, the Panama-headquartered company has distributed Levi Strauss & Co.’s Levi’s and Dockers products across men’s, women’s, and children’s categories, with local operations and offices throughout the region.
Authentic Brands Group operates as a sports, media, entertainment, and lifestyle platform owning iconic intellectual property worldwide. The company’s portfolio spans more than 50 brands that collectively drive more than $38 billion in annual systemwide retail sales globally through nearly 2,000 licensing partners across 150 countries.
Authentic’s roster includes Reebok, Champion, Sports Illustrated, Guess, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Barneys New York, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Sperry, and Hunter, among others.