US apparel designer and manufacturer True Religion Apparel, Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with Jacobs & Leslie Hsu Designs LLC, a designer of high-end handbags and small leather goods, to manufacture and sell True Religion branded handbags worldwide. The new line will launch at the Project Show in Las Vegas in August and will begin shipping to retailers for spring 2008.

Leslie Hsu has previously designed for brands such as Calvin Klein and Tahari, and recently licensed and launched UGG Australia handbags, as well as launching several successful handbag collections including Tibi and Kulson.

True Religion’s apparel, including its True Religion Brand Jeans, are sold in 50 countries worldwide including the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Scandinavia, Greece, Italy, Mexico, South America, Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, Korea, Japan, and China.