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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-------------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report:
June 26, 1998
DESIGNS, INC.
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-15898 04-2623104
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
66 B Street, Needham, Massachusetts 02194
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(781) 444-7222
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
On June 19, 1998, Designs, Inc. (the "Company") dismissed its principal
independent accountants, Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("Coopers & Lybrand"). On June
24, 1998, the Company engaged Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") as its new
principal independent accountants. The Company's Board of Directors and its
Audit Committee unanimously approved the change of principal independent
accountants.
Since January 28, 1995 to date Arthur Andersen has served and continues
to serve as the principal independent accountant of The Designs/OLS Partnership
(the "OLS Partnership"), the joint venture partnership between a subsidiary of
the Company and a subsidiary of Levi's Only Stores, Inc., a subsidiary of Levi
Strauss & Co. For financial reporting purposes, the OLS Partnership's assets,
liabilities and results of operations are consolidated with those of the
Company. See Note K to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included
with its Annual Report on Form 10-K dated May 1, 1998 for additional information
concerning the OLS Partnership.
During the Company's two most recently completed fiscal years and
thereafter until its engagement of Arthur Andersen, the Company did not consult
Arthur Andersen regarding the type of audit opinions that might be rendered on
the Company's financial statements relating to such periods. Throughout those
same periods, there were no matters that occurred that constituted either a
disagreement or the kind of event described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
During the Company's two most recently completed fiscal years and
thereafter through June 19, 1998 there were no disagreements between the Company
and Coopers & Lybrand on matters of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not
resolved to the satisfaction of Coopers & Lybrand, would have caused Coopers &
Lybrand to make reference to the subject matter thereof in its reports. During
the Company's two most recently completed fiscal years and thereafter through
June 19, 1998 there was no occurrence of the kinds of events described in Item
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission. In addition, none
of the reports issued by Coopers & Lybrand concerning the Company's financial
statements for the Company's fiscal years ended February 1, 1997 and January 31,
1998 and thereafter through June 19, 1998 contain any adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion. Such reports were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
Exhibit 16.1 Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., dated June 25, 1998,
regarding its concurrence with the Company's disclosure in
this Report.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
DESIGNS, INC.
Date: June 26, 1998 By: /s/ Carolyn R. Faulkner
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Carolyn R. Faulkner, Vice
President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
COOPERS COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. One Post Office Square
& LYBRAND Boston, MA 02109
a professional services firm telephone (617) 478-5000
facsimile (617) 478-5900
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
telephone (617) 478-5000
facsimile (617) 478-3900
June 25, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Commissioners:
We have read the statements made by Designs, Inc. (copy attached), which we
understand will be filed with the Commission, pursuant to Item 4 of Form 8-K, as
part of the Company's Form 8-K report for the month of June 1998. We agree with
the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K.
Very truly yours,
/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.