Apparel Maker to Design Adult Wear : Off Shore Founder Joins Newport Blue

John Bernards, founder of Off Shore of California, has left the youth-oriented apparel maker to design adult wear for Newport Blue.

Newport Blue was started three years ago by the owner of giant Ocean Pacific to sell casual wear to adult men. Bernards replaces Mike Shaughnessy, who resigned from the Newport Beach firm Wednesday.

“I wanted to wear the clothes I was making,” said Bernards, who founded Off Shore in 1976.

“John has grown up with surf wear,” said Larry Ornitz, owner of Ocean Pacific and Newport Blue. “He was one of the original surf wear makers. He understands the guy who is no longer surfing but wants to have a beach flavor.”

Ornitz said he expects Newport Blue’s sales to reach $33 million this year.

At Off Shore, Steve MacBaisey takes over as president. MacBaisey purchased the rights and trademarks of Off Shore last year, near the time that one of Off Shore’s licensees, Daystar, filed for protection from creditors. Daystar is now in liquidation.

MacBaisey recently hired a young designer from New York designer Liz Claiborne and a vice president of merchandising from Hobie Apparel. MacBaisey said he expects sales to grow from less than $10 million this year to more than $25 million next year.

“We’ve been bringing changes to this company for months. Having the title of president will not mean significant changes,” MacBaisey said.