May 30, 2008 (New York, NY) - John Varvatos, President and CEO of John Varvatos Enterprises, Inc. delivered the keynote address at LIM's 69th annual Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 30, 2008 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

Mr. Varvatos was also presented with LIM's Distinguished Achievement Award at the ceremony, during which more than 200 students received degrees.

LIM specializes in preparing students for careers on the business side of the fashion industry and is the only college in the United States to focus solely on doing so. The College offers Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees in Fashion Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Management, as well as Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Fashion Merchandising.

"We are thrilled to honor John Varvatos at this year's Commencement and have him address our graduates," said LIM President Elizabeth S. Marcuse. "His success in the business of fashion is an inspiration to our students as they leave us to pursue their own successful careers." 

"Our company has established a very special relationship with LIM. We are a fashion industry partner, hiring LIM interns and our Vice President of Operations, Luisa Herrera, is a graduate of LIM," said Mr. Varvatos.

John Varvatos is a brand that occupies a unique place in the landscape of American design. It unites old world craftsmanship and refined tailoring with modern innovations in textiles and a rock 'n' roll sensibility. Launched in 2000 the brand now represents an entire lifestyle that includes eyewear, luxury skincare and 3 fragrances (including one for women), as well as the younger, edgier John Varvatos USA collection and a wildly successful collaboration with Converse.

John Varvatos has been recognized by the CFDA with the Perry Ellis Award for New Menswear Designer in 2000, and as Menswear Designer of the Year in 2001 and 2005. In December 2007, he was named GQ magazine's "Designer of the Year" for its 12th annual "Men of the Year" issue.

In September 2000, within months of showing his first collection, John Varvatos opened a freestanding boutique in Soho. This New York flagship was followed by 6 other US boutiques. Future plans call for the opening of additional John Varvatos stores in major U.S. markets, coupled with an ongoing expansion on an international level. The collection is also available in luxury retail stores and better specialty boutiques in 15 countries.