Canada Basketball launches CB Classic Collection by JUZD Designer Jing Liu

-Proceeds support 2010 World Championship teams though Canadian Basketball Foundation-

(Toronto, ON) Just in time for the holidays, Canada Basketball is pleased to introduce the new CB Classic Collection apparel line, featuring limited edition vintage designer bamboo graphic t-shirts.  Launched under the new ‘CB Authentic’ label and created by Canadian designer Jing Liu of ‘JUZD’, this five-series of shirts pays homage to the traditions and milestones of Canada Basketball, which was originally established in 1923.

“Our country has a rich heritage in basketball from the beginning with Dr. James Naismith, and we are continuing to make history with each successful season,” said Wayne Parrish, Executive Director and CEO of Canada Basketball.  “This collection offers a way for players, coaches and fans of the game to be a part of this history while proudly honouring the sport.”

The CB Classic Collection was created not only to pay tribute to the past, but also to galvanize Canadians around Canada’s national hoops teams and the FIBA 2010 World Championships. 2009 was a banner summer for the elite squads, as Canada successfully qualified for all four 2010 world basketball events (Senior Men, Senior Women, Cadet Men, Cadette Women).  Joining dominant countries like Argentina, Australia, Spain and USA, Canada is one of only five FIBA nations to achieve this distinction.

JUZD high–fashion designer Jing Liu and Toronto Artist Terence Chung are passionate basketball fans, who volunteered their creative talent to develop an innovative yet affordable product line.   After a successful run at the 2009 LG Fashion Week in Toronto, Jing and Terence are eager to roll out this new venture for basketball enthusiasts across the country.

“I’m really excited with how the final shirts turned out, it was beyond my vision,” stated Jing Liu, Lead Designer for JUZD and the CB Classic Collection. “I’m amazed at the artistic synergy that was created working with Terence and the team at Canada Basketball throughout this project!”

The five shirts each have a distinct look and feel, incorporating design treatments like flocking and plastisol to generate the vintage effect.  Creative names include CB Club, Game Night, The Kid, Seven, and Olympic, which is a reproduction of the maple leaf worn at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, when Canada won the silver medal.

The CB Classic Collection limited edition t-shirts will be available starting November 20 at three exclusive retailers:  Centre Sports at Air Canada Centre, The Sport Gallery in the historic Distillery District and at Canada Basketball’s online store at shop.basketball.ca.

As an added bonus, Canada Basketball is offering an additional 10 per cent off the retail price of $34.99 from November 9 -19, when shoppers pre-order online at shop.basketball.ca, while supplies last.

In the spirit of giving, 10 per cent of proceeds from each shirt will benefit the Canadian Basketball Foundation, a registered charitable organization dedicated to growing all aspects of the game of basketball. CBF is committed to promoting and developing the game of basketball for all Canadians, from the grassroots to national team level, including support for the 2010 World Championship teams.

For more information please contact:

Tanya Phillipps
Manager, Marketing & Communications

Canada Basketball
tphillipps@basketball.ca
416-276-9329

About Canada Basketball and FIBA:

Canada Basketball (www.basketball.ca) is a private, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to the growth of the sport in Canada.  Just as important, Canada Basketball is focused on the development and preparation of Canada’s national teams for the Olympic; Pan American and FISU Games as well as the World Championships.  The aspiration of Canada Basketball is to instill the pride, commitment, passion and respect that Canadians personify into the development of basketball across the country and internationally.

FIBA (www.fiba.com), the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Canada is one of only five nations to qualify for all four 2010 FIBA World events including the inaugural U17 World Championships for Men and Women, taking place in Germany and France respectively.  Then the biggest basketball names in the world will come together for the 2010 FIBA World Championships for Men and Women, tipping off in Turkey and in the Czech Republic respectively.

About JUZD – The Bamboo Streetwear Clothing Company

JUZD (short for Juiced) www.juzd.com is the planet’s first bamboo designer label, established in 2007 by lead designer Jing Liu. The label emphasizes contemporary high-end streetwear created using exclusive custom-designed and milled bamboo fabric. Each design is inspired by the designer’s vision of “organic” and aggressive style and the philosophy that art and fashion should co-exist in a way that is innovative, eco-conscious, and empowering.

The Kid – This design is a throwback to the 1970’s incorporating a replica of a Canada Basketball graphic design from that era, as well as other relevant fashion trends like accent trims on the collar and sleeves.

Olympic – Celebrating the biggest moment in Canadian hoops history, this design is a replica of the original 1936 Summer Olympic team logo, when Canada won the silver medal in basketball (the only team medal Canada ever claimed in the history of the Summer Olympics)

Game Night – A bold graphic with a varsity, university feel, this design takes elements of the apparel brand, blended with the name of the organization to create a product for any player, coach, or fan.

CB Club – A clean, simple graphic that pays tribute to the long-standing heritage of the sport by incorporating the inaugural year as well as an original leaf logo into a crest graphic.

Seven – For all those athletes who ever played the game this numbered shirt design is for you. Utilizing graphics on both the front and back of the shirt, this design incorporates a jersey number that is one of the most popular and lucky numbers. Perhaps the most famous Canadian to don the ‘7’ is two-time NBA MVP, Captain Canada - Steve Nash.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUZD Releases Limited Edition “BIG 2-5″ Item in Honour of Chris Bosh’s 25th Birthday

Chris Bosh, of the Toronto Raptors, is turning 25 and to celebrate this milestone JUZD Bamboo Streetwear (www.juzd.com) is releasing a special, limited edition item. Each item is handmade by JUZD lead designer Jing Liu. Wearing the item will grant entry into Chris Bosh’s Private 25th Birthday Celebration Gala on Sunday, March 22, 2009. It can be purchased online at juzd.com and exclusively at select boutiques in Toronto.

Toronto, Ontario -March 09, 2009- JUZD Bamboo Streetwear is releasing a limited edition hand-made item to commemorate the 25th Birthday of Toronto Raptor’s All-Star, Chris Bosh.

Each JUZD (short for Juiced) “BIG 2-5″ item will grant entry into Chris Bosh’s Private 25th Birthday Celebration Gala, on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at an undisclosed location. “I’m amazed at how these turned out! JUZD has truly gone above and beyond for my 25th birthday,” says Chris Bosh.

Lead Designer, Jing Liu, skillfully perfected a complex technique to personally create the distinct number “25″ graphic that adorns each item. Only 100 handcrafted items for woman, and 100 for men, were made for
purchase. “I pioneer an extremely difficult and labourious technique to create something that I think Chris and all of his fans will truly love!” states JUZD lead designer, Jing Liu, “Chris Bosh’s love of fashion has
always been evident through his unique style and JUZD is honoured to be considered one of his favorite brands!”

JUZD “BIG 2-5″ is available to be purchased online at juzd.com and in Toronto’s top boutiques: Over the Rainbow, The Show Room, Got Style, Coal, TNT Blu, and Almost Naked. Each of these six Toronto retailers will receive a one-time only shipment of 14 items per sex. To purchase the item, customers are encouraged to say the phrase, “I want to get JUZD with Chris Bosh!” With the purchase of each item they will be guaranteed entry to Chris Bosh’s Private 25th Birthday Gala at an undisclosed location.

About JUZD – The Bamboo Streetwear Clothing Company

JUZD (short for Juiced) www.juzd.com is the planet’s first bamboo designer label, established in 2007 by lead designer Jing Liu. The label emphasizes contemporary high-end streetwear created using exclusive custom-designed and milled bamboo fabric. Each design is inspired by the designer’s vision of “organic” and aggressive style and the philosophy that art and fashion should co-exist in a way that is innovative, eco-conscious, and empowering.

About Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh is unmistakably one of the National Basketball Association’s rising stars. After being drafted in the first round by the Toronto Raptors in 2003 Chris quickly established himself as the leader of his team and one of the most prolific basketball players in the world today. That leadership has extended off the court as Chris works tirelessly in the community to help children reach their educational and athletic goals. Shortly after entering into the NBA Chris established The Chris Bosh Foundation. The foundation has worked closely with organizations such as the Toronto Special Olympics to raise important funding for community projects.

For more information about the special limited edition items, the JUZD label, or to set up an interview with Jing Liu, please visit www.JUZD.com or contact Angelique Knights at Angelique@juzd.com or 1.888.JUZD.INC.

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Angelique Knights
Marketing Manager
JUZD Bamboo
Email: Angelique@juzd.com
Toll-Free: 1.888.JUZD INC (1.888.5893 462)
Fax: 1.888.895.5893
Web: www.JUZD.com

Show Room
278B Queen St W
Toronto ON, M5V 2A1
416.977.3888

Gotstyle
489 King St W
Toronto ON, M5V 1K4
416.260.9696

Coal
803 Queen St W
Toronto ON
416.301.COAL

TNT Blu
Hazelton Lanes
55 Avenue Rd
Toronto ON
416.972.1593

Almost Naked
479 Queen St W
Toronto ON, M5V 2A9
416.360.8200

Originally written by Zack Medicoff , The Wyre

Liu, who was born in China and raised in Toronto, is earning a reputation in Canada’s fashion industry for his collaborative creative process. “I have designers all around the world, from Singapore to South America to Europe, who help develop one shirt,” says the baby-faced Liu, whose background is in computer programming. “I have five factories in China to create the shirt, bag, even the box.”

Original article written by Tanya Enberg, 24 hours

Fashion bits…

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Bamboo first

Holt Renfrew keeps sharpening its edge.

The retail chain, which gives great play to Canuck clothing labels, has gone one step further by bringing on a largely unknown Toronto designer. 

His name is Jing Liu and if you’ve never hear of him or his JUZD (pronounced joost) Bamboo streetwear collection, don’t’ be surprised.  After all, he has never been trained in fashion design or cut his teeth at a design firm.

That, however, hasn’t stopped Holts from taking the unusual step of bringing the newbie designer’s graphic-laden garb-the world’s first designer bamboo label-to its high-end department stores.

The collection was delivered to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver earlier this month.  Check out Liu’s work at: juzdbamboo.com

Toronto, Ontario – September 5th 2008 – The Fourth Annual Tastemaker’s Lounge is one of the première events of the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Jing Liu, Owner and Lead Designer of JUZD (short for Juiced) Bamboo, will be the event’s youngest sponsor, at the age of 27. Liu, along with other event sponsors including CTV’s eTalk and Sweetspot.ca (as the event’s major sponsors), HBC, Joe Fresh Style, Strellson, and PUMA, will expose event-goers to fresh and unique products coming from some of Canada’s trendiest and most cutting-edge entrepreneurs.

JUZD Bamboo will provide a collection of one-of-a-kind designer bamboo t-shirts for the Tastemaker’s Lounge, running Saturday, September 6th to Friday, September 12th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel.

Liu made history two months ago when his first collection of edgy designer bamboo tees was picked up (with immediate delivery requested) by Canada’s leading luxury retailer, Holt Renfrew. His fast rise in the scene marked a rare event in the fashion industry, where retailers buy lines nine months in advance. Making the quick demand even more shocking is that Liu has no agency design experience or fashion background.

Liu isn’t stopping with Holt Renfrew in his efforts to take the eco-conscious design world by storm. Already working on several deals to extend his line, he expects to see JUZD Bamboo tees available in the US and UK markets before Christmas. Following on the heels of the Holt Renfrew buy, other distributors are also demanding immediate delivery. What is the appeal of the JUZD designs? According to a UK source, “People are tired of going into stores and seeing the same shirt after shirt. This is different. There is presentation, a totally awesome new fabric, and you got this comic in the back. I’m sold!”

Not only are stores taking notice. The media has also jumped onto Liu’s story of finding eco-friendly inspiration to combine his love of art and fashion. Within just 72 hours of announcing the Holt Renfrew deal, eight magazines, four online magazines, a TV show, a radio station, and eight major blogs confirmed coverage.

As the world is eyeing the stars in Toronto, there is a Toronto star that’s eyeing the world.

About JUZD – The Bamboo Streetwear Clothing Company

JUZD (short for Juiced) www.juzd.com is the planet’s first bamboo designer label, established in 2007 by designer Jing Liu. The label emphasizes contemporary high-end streetwear created using exclusive custom-designed and milled bamboo fabric. Each design is inspired by the designer’s vision of “organic” and aggressive style and the philosophy that art and fashion should co-exist in a way that is innovative, eco-conscious, and empowering.

For more information about the event sponsorship, JUZD label, or to set up an interview with Jing Liu, please visit www.JUZD.com or contact Davi Tham at 416-561-2581.

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CONTACT:

Davi Tham

JUZD Bamboo

Tel: 416.561.2581

Email: Davi@juzd.com

Toll-Free: 1.888.589.3462

Fax: 1.888.895.5893

Web: www.JUZD.com

Take a listen to hear about all the many benefits JUZD bamboo has to offer!

Click to Download the JUZD Interview