PUMA and Neil Barrett Introduce Italia Collection at Milan Fashion Week Barrett named Creative Director of Playing Kit and Designs Official Formalwear Collectio

MILAN (Italy) 12th January (PROTEXT) - Today PUMA and NeilBarrett debut selections from their joint collaboration in hisAutumn-Winter 2004 fashion show during mens fashion week. Theinspiration for the collection themed Italia was derived fromPUMAs sponsorship of the Italian National Football Team. PUMAhas named Neil Barrett Creative Director for the new officialplaying kit of the Italian National Team, which will be unveiledduring an important preparation game for Euro 2004 at the end ofMarch. Barrett has also designed the official formalwear for theteam as part of the 96 HOURS collection. As Creative DirectorNeil Barrett has worked closely with the PUMA designers anddevelopers to combine their sport-technical expertise with hisfashion sensibility.

It has been PUMAs mission to fuse sport, lifestyle andfashion in a unique way and our partnership with Neil Barrettand the Italian National Team is a primary example of how we aredoing exactly this, said Jochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman and CEO.Here in Milan, we are debuting the fashion element of thecollection. Later this year, we will come full circle tointroduce the official kit for Euro 2004, making Italia the firstPUMA collection to span all categories sport, lifestyle andfashion.

I have always pushed the blend of technical sportswear withtailoring, be it in the cross- usage of fabrications,construction or design details, said Creative Director NeilBarrett. This rare opportunity with PUMA enables me to apply thereverse mechanism with one of the greatest brands in the worldof sport.

Originally inspired by travel, 96 HOURS now evolves tocapture movement as its inspiring force and sport as theconceptual energy of fashion. The collection by Barrett wasdesigned to span 96 HOURS in the life of team Italia. Each newseason will feature a different sport in order to create a fullyintegrated range of apparel, footwear and accessories for themodern, international, fashion-conscious man and woman.

More details about the sport and lifestyle Italia collectionswill be provided in March during the launch of the officialplaying kit.

PUMA Neil Barrett Italia Collection/Page 2

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Of British descent, Neil Barretts professional history isthoroughly Italian, including five years as Senior MenswearDesigner at Gucci, four years as Design Director of PradaMenswear and launching his own brand name collection in 1999produced by among others, the Prada Group and Allegri. Forfurther information, please visit www.neilbarrett.com

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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.

PUMA Contact: Neil Barrett Contact:

Erin Cowhig Miles Freeland

International PR Press Office

+1 617 488 2907 +39 02 424 111 211

erin.cowhig@puma.com pressoffice@neilbarrett.com

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