DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,837

BILL BLASS LTD. LLC
COUTURE DIVISON
A SUBSIDIARY OF NEXCEN BRANDS, INCORPORATED
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Certification Regarding Eligibility to Apply for
Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on January 9, 2009 in response
to a petition filed by UNITE HERE, Local 89-221, on behalf of
workers of Bill Blass Ltd., LLC, Couture Division, a subsidiary of
NexCen Brands, Incorporated, New York, New York. Workers at the
subject firm are engaged in activities related to the production of
women's apparel such as dresses and suits. The workers are not
separately identifiable by product.

The preponderance in the decline in employment at the subject
firm is related to a shift in production of women's apparel such as
dresses and suits to India and Italy. The firm has increased
imports of women's apparel such as dresses and suits following this
shift abroad.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 of the Trade Act
of 1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.








Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in production from
a firm or subdivision to India and Italy of articles that are like
or directly competitive with those produced by the subject firm or
subdivision, and there has been or is likely to be an increase in
imports of like or directly competitive articles. In accordance
with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Bill Blass Ltd., LLC, Couture Division, a
subsidiary of NexCen Brands, Incorporated, New York, New York,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after December 23, 2007 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C., this 16th day of January 2009

/s/Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance