HAMPSHIRE GROUP, LIMITED
STOCK SYMBOL:   HAMP                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:      HEATH L. GOLDEN
PHONE:        (212) 822-3143
FACSIMILE:    (212) 822-3170


HAMPSHIRE ENTERS INTO DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE MARISA CHRISTINA

Anderson,  SC, May 18,  2006...Hampshire  Group, Limited announced today that it
has  entered  into a  definitive  agreement  pursuant  to  which a  wholly-owned
subsidiary will merge with and into Marisa Christina,  Incorporated, after which
time Marisa  Christina will continue to operate as a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
Hampshire Group. Upon completion of the merger, each outstanding share of Marisa
Christina  common  stock will be converted  into the right to receive  $0.65 per
share  less a pro rata  portion  of the  transaction  costs  incurred  by Marisa
Christina,  representing  an  aggregate  purchase  price of  approximately  $4.8
million.  Marisa Christina's Board of Directors has agreed to support the merger
and has recommended its approval by Marisa Christina's stockholders. The closing
conditions,  including receipt of stockholder  approval from Marisa  Christina's
stockholders,  are  expected  to be  satisfied  in the very near  future and the
acquisition is expected to be consummated within the next week.

Marisa Christina was founded in 1971 and quickly became known as an innovator in
the area of knit  dressing.  Today,  Marisa  Christina  has evolved  into a more
complete and modern  lifestyle  collection of apparel that celebrates the beauty
and personal spirit of today's woman while still offering the same design flare,
attention to detail and quality  workmanship  for which it has always been know.
Marisa Christina is sold through over 700 specialty  stores,  as well as upscale
department stores.

Ludwig Kuttner,  Hampshire's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, remarked, "We
are looking  forward to the  expansion  of our women's  better  market  strategy
through the acquisition of Marisa Christina. Marisa Christina has a longstanding
reputation  of  providing  trend-driven  garments  that  tastefully  incorporate
beautiful fabrics,  rich colors,  seasonal motifs and unique design details in a
clean,  comfortable  fit.  In keeping  with our  diversification  and  expansion
strategy,  we feel that Marisa  Christina  will help to add scale to our women's
better market business."

Hampshire Group,  Limited is a diversified  apparel company,  believed to be the
largest supplier of women's and men's sweaters in North America and a leading
supplier of women's related separates.

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     Cautionary Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains  forward-looking  statements,  within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that reflect the Company's
current  views with respect to future  events.  Such  statements  are subject to
certain  risks and  uncertainties  which  could cause  actual  results to differ
materially  from those  projected.  Readers  are  cautioned  not to place  undue
reliance on these  forward-looking  statements,  which speak only as of the date
hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised  forward-looking
statements  to  reflect  events or  circumstances  after  the date  hereof or to
reflect  the  occurrences  of  unanticipated  events.  Readers are also urged to
review and consider carefully the various disclosures made by the Company in its
Form 10-K and other  Securities and Exchange  Commission  filings,  which advise
interested parties of the factors that affect the Company's business.