SITTIN' PRETTY, SLINGIN' INK, AND ROCKIN' THE UNDERWORLDTM
Franky & Minx Ink Deal with Malaguti for Limited Edition Scooter

NEW YORK, April 15, 2002 -- Scooterists, tattoo enthusiasts, fashionistas, and style mavens, rejoice! Malaguti USA has called on the design team Franky & Minx to create a limited-edition motor scooter - for the Yesterday model-- due out this summer. The announcement was made jointly by Chris Esposito, vice president of marketing for Malaguti USA, and Heidi Minx, president of Franky & Minx, Inc.

Known for their signature, tattoo-inspired underwear line, Franky & Minx created artwork for eight scooters, to be displayed nationwide at directional boutiques including: Jennifer Kaufman, L.A.; Oranje, Milwaukee; Amy Chan, Manhattan; KCDC, Brooklyn, all of which carry the team's underwear line, and at Malaguti Atlanta and Malaguti's Miami showroom. The bikes will be on display for one month, and then become available for sale through local Malaguti dealers.

The Malaguti Yesterday combines the classic Malaguti 1950's look with today's technology. The sexy Yesterday comes equipped with an under-seat storage box, rear 1950's "fake tire" storage box, folding aluminum passenger foot-pegs, retro instrumentation panel, center stand, fuel gauge, electric start, a front disc brake, and a fully automatic transmission -- all as standard equipment. With its powerful 50cc engine, the handling is very natural, plus the classic white wall wheels absorb road flaws nicely. The Yesterday is a wonderful, lightweight scooter to ride every day, or for weekend fun.

Franky is recognized nationwide for his "old-school" inkwork. Previously he has brought his skills to the likes of Betsey Johnson to create tattoo-oriented textiles for the designer's collections. Minx, a budding underground icon, is recognizable from her myriad of press appearances -- as a model for Varla and Hot Topic, in photo spreads of tattoo magazines, as a stylist and as an alternative youth marketing expert.

"While new to the American scooter scene, Malaguti is a well known premium name throughout Europe. Unlike the other European brands introduced in to the U.S. market, Malaguti remains true to the Mod heritage of the scooter," says Esposito.

"The designs of Franky & Minx got our attention because of the unique combination of authentic art, fashion and style, found in today's alternative cultures and which shape pop culture as a whole."

Minx notes, "The deal validates the Franky & Minx approach to design, which draws from our life experiences. Our driving mantra is 'keep it real.'"

"I'm a scooter fanatic. I used to ride with scooter clubs in the UK in the early 90s on Bank Holiday weekends. They were some of the best weekends I've ever had. Franky loves the challenge of finding new ways to apply his art skills - above and beyond the flesh," she notes.

Franky & Minx, Inc. is a New York-based lifestyle brand, built around the tattoo designs of Franky, an internationally recognized tattoo artist, and their alternative punk rock lifestyles. Started in response to the lack of authentic alternative brands on the market today, Franky & Minx does not fall into the confines of a limited niche market; it touches a wide audience that relates to the art, designs and personalities behind the brand. Franky & Minx is actively seeking licenses in multiple categories. Learn more at www.frankyandminx.com.

Malaguti USA is the exclusive North American Distributor for Malaguti SPA. After 70 years of leading the European scooter market, Malaguti Motorscooters entered the US in January of 2001. Malaguti SPA, based in Italy, has four manufacturing facilities in the Bologna region producing a wide range of Motorscooters from 49cc to 400cc. The family owned and operated company currently produces the most exclusive and elite vehicles on the scooter market. Its limited production run and unique styling gives Malaguti its reputation for being the most desirable scooter in the world today. For more information visit www.MalagutiUSA.com.

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Participating retailers:
Los Angeles, CA -- Jennifer Kaufman -- Beverly Center
Milwaukee, WI -- Oranje -- 2241 S. Kinnickicnnic
New York, NY -- Amy Chan -- 247 Mulberry
Brooklyn, NY -- KCDC -- 97 N. 10th Street
Malaguti Atlanta - 3247 Roswell Road

Extensive digital photography is available on request; a scooter is also available in New York for shoots. Please contact Heidi Minx or Chris Esposito if you would like contact information for the boutique or dealer in your area.