Southpole / Wicked Fashions Founder David Khym to Grant 20+ College Scholarships to Local NY/NJ Students in December 7th Award Ceremony

Leading Korean-American Apparel Entrepreneur Demonstrates Good Corporate Citizenship Through Khym Foundation’s Philanthropy Program

New York, New York - December 2, 2005 - The Khym Foundation, a New Jersey-based charitable institution founded by Korean-American apparel entrepreneur David Khym, founder of Southpole and Wicked Fashions, Inc., will be hosting a scholarship award ceremony at 4:00 PM on December 7, 2005. It will be held within South Pole/Wicked Fashion’s offices, located at 222 Bridge Plaza South, Fort Lee, NJ 07024.

This event will recognize the academic achievements of 20+ local NY/NJ community college students, through the provision of grants from the Khym Foundation’s ongoing charitable award program. Selected students are presently attending colleges including Hudson Community College, Kingsborough Community College, La Guardia Community College and Union County College. Additional attention will be focused on other grants that have been made by the Khym Foundation over the past year.

"As Korean-American companies establish themselves as larger corporations, it is important they reach out to all the constituencies that contributed to their success. This is necessary -- both as a demonstration of their dedication to strong ethical standards and business practices as well as their responsibility to give back to the communities in which they operate", commented David Khym, President of Southpole and Wicked Fashions, Inc. and Founder of the Khym Foundation. "The Khym Foundation was organized in 2004 in recognition of the help I received as I advanced from a low-level employee in a small retail store in Queens to become the founder of a major U.S. apparel company. By providing scholarships to local students and donations to a select group of charitable organizations, my hope is to allow others the same opportunities that I enjoyed since emigrating to the US from South Korea almost thirty years ago."

"Whereas Korean firms have traditionally emphasized charitable activities within the Korean community, this year the Khym Foundation has adopted a far wider mandate. In this regard David Khym is a real innovator", stated Young Man Kim, Sr. Advisor and Board Member of the Khym Foundation, as well as Former Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the USA. "This year’s award recipients reflect the diverse population of the NY/NJ area, including African- Americans, Latinos, Russians and Eastern Europeans as well as Asians and other ethnic groups."

"Community colleges play a vital role in helping people of all ages with dedication and talent – but who lack financial resources – to achieve the secondary education necessary to advance their careers and to compete in an increasingly competitive world economy. In the NY/NJ area, this is particularly true among the immigrant community", commented Joseph Sansone, Executive Director of the Hudson Community College Foundation. "As a result, we and our students are very grateful the Khym Foundation has chosen our school as a recipient for these scholarships, and look forward to developing a close relationship with the foundation in coming years."

To attend the Khym Foundation’s December 7th Scholarship and Charitable Award Ceremony, arrange an interview, or to receive more information on the Khym Foundation and its activities, please contact Suzanne Harvey at: +1-212-532-3005 or e-mail khymfoundation@kwrintl.com

About the Khym Foundation

After achieving substantial success as an entrepreneur in the apparel industry, Mr. David Khym formed the Khym Foundation in 2004 as a means by which he could give back to the local communities that helped to drive his achievements. This includes support for education, immigrant needs, and other causes that could benefit from this philanthropic activity. He is joined in this effort through contributions by his younger brother Kenny Khym, who is the founder and president of the Against All Odds retail chain. Currently in its second year of operations, the Khym Foundation provides scholarship support as well as charitable donations to community organizations and charitable institutions in the New York/New Jersey area and other locations in which it conducts its business operations.

About Southpole/Wicked Fashions, Inc.

Wicked Fashions, Inc. was established as a wholesale clothing company in 1991. It has since become a major force in urban and hip-hop fashion and its Southpole line is recognized as a dominant global denim and sportswear brand in both the young men and junior markets. The company shows no signs of slowing down after achieving sales of less than $100 million in 2001 to a projected $350 million in 2005. In recognition of his achievements, Southpole/Wicked’s founder, Mr. David Khym’s was awarded JC Penney’s ‘2001 Divisional Award for Men’s Apparel, its 2002 Supplier Divisional Award for Men’s Apparel and its 2003 Supplier Divisional Award for Women’s Apparel. He was also selected as Ernst & Young’s 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year. The media has also recognized the company and coined the term “Southpole Trend” in reference to the many companies now vying to compete in the “trendy basic” segment, a niche first filled by Southpole products, which combines high-quality and attractive pricing in the hottest teen and urban styles.

Website: http://www.southpole-usa.com

KWR International, Inc.
Suzanne Harvey
email: khymfoundation@kwrintl.com
phone/fax: +1-212-532-3005/+1-212-685-2413