SPEEDO(R) Unveils Revolutionary Elite Speed Suit: The LZR RACER(TM)

SPEEDO(R) LZR RACER(TM) to be worn by top U.S. athletes in
Beijing;

Michael Phelps feels "like a rocket" in new suit
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Speedo, the world's leading
swimwear brand, today launched the new SPEEDO(R) LZR RACER(TM), which
independent testing has shown to be the world's fastest swimsuit.

Speedo has harnessed the expertise of NASA and a number of
international research institutes to create a faster suit which has
10% less passive drag* than Speedo's FASTSKIN FSII launched in 2004
and 5% less passive drag* than Speedo's FASTSKIN FS-PRO(R), which was
launched in March 2007 and has seen swimmers break 21 World Records as
a result.

Made from an ultra lightweight, low drag, water repellent, and
fast-drying fabric unique to Speedo called LZR PULSE(TM), the LZR
RACER is the world's first fully bonded swimsuit that is
ultrasonically welded which gives the effect of no seams at all. Ultra
low drag LZR panels are embedded into the base fabric to create a
Hydro Form Compression System helping to compress the entire swimmer's
body into a more streamlined shape and enabling them to cut through
the water with more power and agility.

"When I hit the water, I feel like a rocket," said Michael Phelps,
holder of six World Records, who has been involved in the suit's
development. Phelps will be sporting the LZR RACER as he sets out to
achieve a record-setting eight gold medals later this year. "I can't
wait to race in it - this is going to take the sport of swimming to a
new level."

His comments, echoed by other elite swimmers, are gratifying for
Speedo's research and development team, Aqualab, who have spent more
than three years in intensive research and development to create their
most hydro-dynamically advanced swimsuit to date.

Speedo scanned the bodies of more than 400 elite swimmers and held
technical tests involving more than 100 different fabrics and suit
designs in the world's leading flume and test centers, including the
NASA Langley Research Center, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
and Otago University in New Zealand. Speedo also utilized
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software from ANSYS, Inc., whose
technology is also used in F1 motor racing and America's Cup yachting.

The result is an engineered swimsuit whose 3D anatomical shape has
a Core Stabilizer with a corset-like grip to support and hold the
swimmer so they can maintain the best body position in the water for
longer without losing freedom or flexibility of movement.

The LZR RACER's unique design also provides swimmers with up to 5%
more efficiency** in terms of their oxygen intake, enabling them to
swim stronger for longer. "It makes it easier to swim faster," said
Rick Sharp, Exercise Physiologist, Iowa State University.

The Speedo LZR RACER has been declared "out of this world" by
swimmers involved in its development and testing. "It's like swimming
downhill," says World Record-holder Libby Lenton (AUS). According to
World and Olympic backstroke champion Natalie Coughlin (USA), "it's
super tight but it really feels like part of your body when you put it
on." Double-Olympic champion Grant Hackett (AUS) commented that "it's
the best suit yet and looks like something out of a futuristic movie."

The unique "space age" design of the Speedo LZR RACER brings about
another world first - where elite performance meets avant-garde
fashion - through the involvement of international fashion label Comme
des Gar(R)ons whose founder Rei Kawakubo formed a key part of the
design team. Her striking design on the side panel of the suit
incorporates the character "kokoro" meaning Heart, Mind, Spirit, by
celebrated Japanese calligrapher Inoue Yu-ichi. Kawakubo said" When we
come to combine the development of the highest technology that is the
realm of Speedo with the force and spirit of the art of Yu-ichi,
records will surely be broken."

Speedo co-President David Robinson said: "Speedo has been leading
the world in swimwear design since 1928 and our commitment to
innovation in design and technology is the backbone to everything we
do. We are particularly proud, in our 80th year, to be launching the
Speedo LZR RACER which has broken new boundaries in performance
swimwear and which we know will help elite athletes achieve their
ultimate performances in 2008. It's our 80th birthday present to the
world of swimming."

Speedo LZR RACER, which has been approved by FINA (Federation
International de Natation Amateur), will debut at national trials
around the world from March 2008. A retail version of the suit will go
on sale in May 2008.

In the U.S., three silhouettes of the LZR RACER will be available
for men and women, retailing between $290 and $550.

SPEEDO(R) is a registered trademark of and used under license from
Speedo International Ltd.

Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., a division of The Warnaco Group Inc.
(NASDAQ:WRNC), is the authorized licensee of the SPEEDO(R) trademark
in North American and the Caribbean.

Please review the supplemental fact sheet for additional details.
For further press information, imagery or to arrange an interview,
please contact:

-0-
*T
Audra Silverman Carrie Grandits
Brener Zwikel & Associates French West Vaughn
(212) 708-1703 (212) 330-0701
audras@bzapr.com cgrandits@fwv-us.com
*T

Note to Editors

*Passive drag affects a swimmer in the streamlined position which
is achieved after the initial dive and after a turn. During a 50m
race, a swimmer is likely to be in the streamlined position for up to
15m. In tests the swimmer is in an immobile streamlined position in a
flowing water flume, hence passive.

** In tests comparing LZR RACER and training swimwear

(1)Skin friction or surface drag is the force that tends to slow a
swimmer down by means of the water passing along the surface of the
suit and/or skin. As the characteristics of the water can't be changed
the solution for the swimmer is to make the suit/skin as smooth as
possible. Essentially the rougher the surface the more likely it is to
'grab' onto the water that is moving by. Greater body coverage with
low frictional materials that don't restrict movement is required to
reduce skin friction drag.

-- The SPEEDO LZR RACER suit has 10%* less passive drag than
Speedo's FASTSKIN FSII launched in 2004 and 5%* less passive
drag than FASTSKIN FS-PRO (which has already resulted in 21
world records broken since its launch at the FINA Worlds
Championships at Melbourne in March 2007).

-- Strategically placed LZR Panels reduce skin friction drag(1)
by a massive 24% in comparison to Speedo's previous
market-leading material, FASTSKIN - and an enormous 38% less
drag than ordinary Nylon Lycra.

-- The 100% bonded seams provide 6% less skin friction drag than
a conventionally stitched or woven seam.

-- The SPEEDO LZR RACER makes it easier to swim faster. In tests
comparing LZR-RACER and training swimwear, Swimmers have up to
5% more efficiency** in terms of their Oxygen intake -
therefore requiring less effort for a given speed of swimming.

About Speedo(R)

Born on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia in 1928, SPEEDO(R) is
the world's top-selling swimwear brand. The brand's heritage derives
from its leadership in competitive swimming, where more Olympic Gold
Medals have been won in Speedo than any other brand. Eight-time
Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps is among the elite swimmers who wear
SPEEDO(R) Fastskin(R) technology. Building on its authentic base, the
SPEEDO(R) product line has dramatically expanded over the years. It
now includes women's fashion and fitness swimwear, men's water shorts,
kid's swimwear, active wear, footwear, and a comprehensive collection
of aquatic and fitness equipment. For more information visit,
www.SpeedoUSA.com.

About Warnaco

The Warnaco Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, is a leading
apparel company engaged in the business of designing, sourcing,
marketing and selling intimate apparel, menswear, jeanswear, swimwear,
men's and women's sportswear and accessories under such owned and
licensed brands as Warner's(R), Olga(R), Body Nancy Ganz(R), and
Speedo(R), as well as Chaps(R) sportswear and denim, and Calvin
Klein(R) men's and women's underwear, men's and women's bridge apparel
and accessories, men's and women's jeans and jeans accessories, junior
women's and children's jeans and men's and women's swimwear.

Brener Zwikel & Associates
Audra Silverman, 212-708-1703
audras@bzapr.com
or
French West Vaughn
Carrie Grandits, 212-330-0701
cgrandits@fwv-us.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008