SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ----------------------
                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
[X]  Annual Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
     Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2000

                                       OR

[_]  Transition  Report  Pursuant  to  Section  13 or  15(d)  of the  Securities
     Exchange  Act of 1934  For the  transition  period  from  _______________to
     ______________.

                         Commission File Number 0-10593

                                 CANDIE'S, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                             ----------------------

            Delaware                                             11-2481903
            (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
            incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)

            2975 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York             10577
            (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (914) 694-8600

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

                                                    Name of Each Exchange
                     Title of Each Class             on which Registered
                     None                              Not Applicable

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

                          Common Stock, $.001 par value
                         Preferred Share Purchase Rights
                                (Title of Class)

     Indicate by check mark  whether the  registrant:  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No __

     Indicate by check if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_]

     The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of
the registrant as of the close of business on April 20, 2000, was  approximately
$21,452,000.

     As of April 20, 2000,  17,896,393  shares of Common Stock,  par value $.001
per share were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  Portions of the  registrant's  definitive
proxy  statement for its annual meeting of  stockholders  to be held in the year
2000 is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.





                            CANDIE'S, INC.-FORM 10-K

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


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PART I

                                                                                                             
       Item 1.    Business....................................................................................     2
       Item 2.    Properties..................................................................................     9
       Item 3.    Legal Proceedings...........................................................................     10
       Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........................................     11

PART II

       Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.......................     11
       Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.....................................................................     12
       Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......     13
       Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk...................................     18
       Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................................................     19
       Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure........     19

PART III

       Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..........................................     20
       Item 11.   Executive Compensation......................................................................     20
       Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..............................     20
       Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............................................     20

PART IV

       Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K............................     20

Signatures....................................................................................................     21

Consolidated Financial Statements.............................................................................    F-1







PART I

Item 1. Business

Introduction

     The  history  of the  "CANDIE'S"  brand  spans over 22 years and has become
synonymous  with young,  fun and  fashionable,  footwear  marketed by innovative
advertising and celebrity spokespersons.  Candie's, Inc., which was incorporated
in Delaware in 1978,  and its  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the  "Company")  is
currently  engaged  primarily  in the design,  marketing,  and  distribution  of
moderately-priced  women's casual and fashion footwear under the  CANDIE'S(R)and
BONGO(R)trademarks  for  distribution  within the United  States to  department,
specialty,  chain and seven company-owned  retail stores and to specialty stores
internationally.  The Company markets and distributes  children's footwear under
the  CANDIE'S  and BONGO  trademarks,  as well as a variety of men's  workboots,
hiking boots, winter boots, and outdoor casual shoes designed and marketed under
private labels and the ASPEN(R)  brand,  which is licensed by the Company from a
third party through Bright Star Footwear,  Inc.  ("Bright Star"),  the Company's
wholly-owned  subsidiary.  In 1998,  the Company  began  licensing  its CANDIE'S
trademark for the purpose of building  CANDIE'S  into a lifestyle  brand serving
generation "Y" women and girls,  and it currently  holds licenses for fragrance,
eyewear, leg wear and handbags. Through Unzipped Apparel, LLC ("Unzipped"),  the
Company's  joint  venture  with Sweet  Sportswear  LLC  ("Sweet"),  the  Company
marketed  and  distributed  jeanswear  and apparel  under the CANDIE'S and BONGO
label to department, specialty, and chain stores in the United States.

     The Company believes that it has developed  CANDIE'S into a strong footwear
brand  appealing  to women and girls in the  generation  "Y"  demographic.  As a
growth strategy, the Company plans to continue to focus on building market share
in the junior footwear area of better department and specialty stores,  pursuing
licensing opportunities,  and expanding its consumer direct business through the
opening of retail stores and e-commerce.

     The  Company  adopted  SFAS  No.  131,  Disclosures  About  Segments  of an
Enterprise and Related Information during its fiscal year ended January 31, 1999
("Fiscal  1999").  The  adoption  of SFAS No. 131 did not  affect the  Company's
consolidated  financial  position or results of  operations  because the Company
operates in one segment. See Note 14 of the Segment Information of the Financial
Statements.

Background of the Company and Acquisitions

     The Company  began to license the use of the  CANDIE'S  trademark  from New
Retail  Concepts,  Inc.  ("NRC")  in June  1991,  and in March  1993,  purchased
ownership of the CANDIE'S trademark from NRC together with certain  pre-existing
licenses  of NRC,  a then  publicly  traded  company  engaged  primarily  in the
licensing and sublicensing of fashion  trademarks and a significant  stockholder
of the Company. NRC's principal stockholder was also the Company's President and
Chief Executive Officer.

     Effective August 18, 1998 (the "Effective  Date"),  the Company completed a
merger with NRC (the "Merger").  Each issued and outstanding share of NRC common
stock $.01 par value (the "NRC Common  Stock"),  and each issued and outstanding
option to purchase one share of NRC Common Stock,  prior to the Effective  Date,
was converted,  respectively, into 0.405 shares of common stock, $.001 par value
of the Company (the "Candie's Common Stock"), and into options to purchase 0.405
shares of Candie's Common Stock, respectively.

     At the  Effective  Date,  there were  5,743,639  outstanding  shares of NRC
Common Stock and options to purchase  1,585,000  shares of NRC Common Stock. The
5,743,639  outstanding  shares were  converted to  2,326,174  shares of Candie's
Common Stock and the 1,585,000  options were  converted into options to purchase
641,925  shares of Candie's  Common Stock.  NRC also owned  1,227,696  shares of
Candie's  Common  Stock and had options and  warrants to purchase an  additional
800,000  shares of  Candie's  Common  Stock.  These  options and  warrants  were
extinguished upon consummation of the Merger.


                                       2



     The  transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
The results of operations of NRC are included in the  accompanying  consolidated
financial statements from the date of the Merger.

     The cost of the acquisition,  including  acquisition  expenses of $700,000,
after netting the value of the reacquired  Company shares,  warrants and options
totaled  approximately $5.6 million. This resulted principally in purchase price
allocation  to the licenses  acquired of $340,000 and a trademark  value of $5.2
million.  Deferred  tax  liabilities  resulting  from this  transaction  totaled
approximately $2.1 million which amount was recorded as goodwill.

Acquisition of Michael Caruso & Co., Inc.

     On September  24, 1998,  the  Company,  through a wholly owned  subsidiary,
acquired all of the outstanding shares of Michael Caruso & Co., Inc. ("Caruso").
As a result of the transaction, the Company acquired the BONGO trademark as well
as certain other related  trademarks  and two license  agreements for use of the
BONGO trademark,  one for children's and one for large size jeanswear.  Prior to
the closing of the  acquisition,  Caruso was the licensor of the BONGO trademark
for use on footwear  products sold by the Company,  which license was terminated
as of the closing.

     The purchase price for the shares acquired was approximately  $15.4 million
and was paid at the closing in 1,967,742  shares of Candie's  Common Stock (each
share being valued at $7.75),  plus $100,000 in cash. On March 24, 1999, 547,722
additional  shares of Candie's  Common Stock were  delivered to the sellers upon
the six month  anniversary  of the closing based on a contingency  clause in the
agreement  requiring an upward  adjustment in the number of shares  delivered at
closing.  The  issuance  of the  contingent  consideration  had no effect on the
purchase price.

     This transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
The results of operations of Caruso are included in the  accompanying  financial
statements  from  the  date  of   acquisition.   The  total  purchase  price  of
approximately  $15.6 million,  including  acquisition  expenses of approximately
$250,000,  but  excluding  the  contingency  shares  described  above,  resulted
principally  in a purchase  price  allocation  to the licenses  acquired of $2.7
million and a trademark value of $11.8 million.

Formation of Unzipped Apparel LLC

     On October 7, 1998,  the Company  formed  Unzipped  with its joint  venture
partner Sweet,  the purpose of which was to market and distribute  apparel under
the BONGO and  CANDIE'S  labels.  Candie's and Sweet each have a 50% interest in
Unzipped.  Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture,  the Company licensed the
CANDIE'S and BONGO trademarks to Unzipped for use in the design, manufacture and
sale of certain  designated  apparel products.  Currently,  the Company believes
that  Unzipped is in breach of certain  provisions of the  agreements  among the
parties,  and has  notified  Unzipped  that  the  Company  does  not  intend  to
contribute any additional  capital toward the joint venture.  See  "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and Note
2 of the Notes to the Financial Statements."

Stockholders Rights Plan

     In January  2000,  the Company's  Board of Directors  adopted a stockholder
rights plan.  Under the plan, each stockholder of Candie's Common Stock received
a  dividend  of one right for each  share of the  Company's  outstanding  common
stock,  entitling  the holder to purchase one  thousandth of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value, $0.01 per share of the Company,
at an initial  exercise price of $6.00.  The rights become  exercisable and will
trade  separately  from Candie's Common Stock ten business days after any person
or group  acquires 15% or more of Candie's  Common  Stock,  or ten business days
after  any  person  or group  announces  a tender  offer  for 15% or more of the
outstanding Candie's Common Stock.


                                       3



Products

     CANDIE'S Footwear Products.  The CANDIE'S brand,  consisting of fashion and
casual  footwear,  is  designed  primarily  for women and girls aged  4-25.  The
footwear  features a variety of styles.  The retail  price of CANDIE'S  footwear
generally  ranges  from $30 - $60 for  women's  styles  and $25 - $45 for girl's
styles.  Four major and two  interim  times per year,  as part of its Spring and
Fall  collections,  the Company  designs and markets 30 to 40 different  styles.
Approximately  one-third  of  CANDIE'S  women's  styles  are  "updates"  of  the
Company's most popular styles from prior  periods,  which the Company  considers
its "core"  products.  Approximately  three-quarters  of the  girl's  styles are
versions of the best selling  women's  styles and the  remaining one quarter are
designed specifically for the girls' line.

     The Company's  designers analyze and interpret fashion trends and translate
such  trends  into shoe  styles  consistent  with the  CANDIE'S  image and price
points.  Fashion  trend  information  is compiled by the  Company's  design team
through various methods,  including travel to Europe and throughout the world to
identify and confirm seasonal trends, utilization of outside fashion forecasting
services and attendance at trade shows and seminars. Each season,  subsequent to
the final  determination of that season's line by the design team and management
(including colors,  trim,  fabrics,  constructions and decorations),  the design
team travels to the  Company's  manufacturers  to oversee the  production of the
initial sample lines.

     CANDIE'S  Handbag  Products.  In the Fall of  1998,  the  Company  began to
design,  market,  and  distribute  women's  handbags to department and specialty
stores in the United  States.  The retail  prices range from $28 - $36. In April
2000,  the  Company  entered  into a licensing  agreement  with  Trebbianno  LLC
("Trebbianno"),  to license the handbag  business to Trebbianno for a three year
term with a three year renewal  conditioned on achieving  certain minimum sales.
See "Trademarks and Licensing".

     BONGO  Footwear,  Jeanswear  and Handbag  Products.  The  Company  designs,
markets, and distributes fashion and casual footwear and handbags at value price
points  under the BONGO  name for women and girls aged 4-25.  In  addition,  the
Company  through its joint venture,  Unzipped  designs,  markets and distributes
jeanswear and apparel to the same targeted markets.  The BONGO product lines are
marketed to department,  specialty,  and chain stores in the United States.  The
retail prices range from $20-$45 for footwear, $20-$50 for jeanswear and $15-$25
for  handbags.  The BONGO  handbag  business was licensed to Trebbianno in April
2000.

     Private Label  Products.  In addition to sales under the CANDIE'S and BONGO
trademarks, the Company arranges for the manufacture of women's footwear, acting
as agent for mass market and discount retailers,  primarily under the retailer's
private  label  brand.  Most of the private  label  footwear is presold  against
purchase  orders  and is backed by letters  of credit  opened by the  applicable
retailers. In certain instances the Company receives a commission based upon the
purchase  price of the products  purchased from the  manufacturer  for providing
design expertise,  arranging for the  manufacturing of the footwear,  overseeing
production,  inspecting  the finished  goods and  arranging  for the sale of the
finished goods by the manufacturer to the retailer.

     Bright Star  Footwear.  Bright Star,  acting  principally  as agent for its
customers,  designs, markets and distributes a wide variety of men's branded and
unbranded  workboots,  hiking boots, winter boots and leisure footwear.  Branded
products  are  marketed  under the private  label  brand names of Bright  Star's
customers or under the Company's licensed brand,  ASPEN.  Bright Star's customer
base includes  discount and  specialty  retailers.  Bright  Star's  products are
generally  directed  toward the mid-priced  market.  The retail prices of Bright
Star's  footwear  generally range from $25 to $75. The majority of Bright Star's
products are sold on a commission basis.

Retail Operations

     The Company  operates seven retail  stores,  consisting of four outlets and
three specialty stores. The Company  anticipates  opening between three and five
additional  retail stores during the next year as opportunities  make themselves
available.  Retail  revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2000 ("Fiscal
2000") were $2.8 million or three percent of net revenues.


                                       4



     The Company  operates its retail  stores,  which  complement  its wholesale
business,  primarily to establish a direct  relationship  with the consumer,  to
build the brand  image and to test  products  for the  wholesale  business.  The
Company also  believes that retail  stores will provide an  opportunity  for the
Company to showcase its  increasing  range of goods,  which  currently  includes
apparel, handbags, fragrance, socks and sunglasses.

     The success of the Company's new and existing  retail stores will depend on
various factors,  including general economic and business  conditions  affecting
consumer spending,  the acceptance by consumers of the Company's retail concept,
the ability of the Company to manage its retail  operations and the availability
of desirable locations and favorable lease terms.

Advertising, Marketing and Website

     The Company  believes that  advertising to promote and enhance the CANDIE'S
and BONGO brands is an important  part of its  long-term  growth  strategy.  The
Company  believes that its innovative and edgy advertising  campaigns  featuring
celebrities,  which have  brought it  national  recognition,  have  resulted  in
increased sales and consumer  awareness of its branded  products.  The Company's
advertising appears in fashion magazines such as Marie Claire,  Cosmopolitan and
Glamour,  and  teenage  lifestyle  magazines  such  as  Teen,  Teen  People  and
Seventeen,  as well as in television  commercials,  newspapers,  and outdoor and
electronic advertising media.

     The Company maintains a product website, www.candies.com, which it launched
in October  1999.  In April 2000,  the  Company  launched  its first  e-commerce
initiative,  a co-branded  store to sell the  Candie's  footwear  collection  in
partnership with leading teen retailer "Journeys".

     The Company also maintains a corporate website that provides  financial and
background information about the Company located at www.candiesinc.com

Manufacturing and Suppliers

     The  Company  does not own or operate  any  manufacturing  facilities.  The
Company's  footwear products are manufactured to its  specifications by a number
of independent  suppliers currently located in Brazil,  China, Spain, Italy, and
Taiwan. The Company believes that such diversification  permits it to respond to
customer needs and helps reduce the risks associated with foreign manufacturing.
The Company has developed,  and seeks to develop,  long-term  relationships with
manufacturers  that can produce a high volume of quality products at competitive
prices.

     The Company  negotiates the prices of finished products with its suppliers.
Such suppliers  manufacture  the products  themselves or subcontract  with other
manufacturers  or suppliers.  Finished goods are purchased  primarily on an open
account basis, generally payable within 7 to 45 days after shipment.

     Most raw materials  necessary for the manufacture of the Company's footwear
are purchased by the Company's suppliers. Although the Company believes that the
raw materials required (which include leather,  nylon, canvas,  polyurethane and
rubber) are available from a variety of sources,  there can be no assurance that
any such materials  will continue to be available on a timely or  cost-effective
basis.

     Once the design of a new shoe is completed  (including  the  production  of
samples),  which  generally  requires  approximately  three months,  the shoe is
offered  for sale to  wholesale  purchasers.  After  orders are  received by the
Company,  the  acquisition  of raw materials,  the  manufacture of the shoes and
shipment to the customer each take approximately one additional month.

     For Fiscal 2000 and Fiscal 1999, Redwood Shoe Corp. ("Redwood"),  a related
party buying agent for the Company,  initiated the manufacture of  approximately
74% and 60%, respectively, of the Company's total footwear purchases. At January
31, 2000, the Company had $13,775,920 of open purchase commitments with Redwood,
representing 48% of the


                                       5



Company's  total  purchase  commitments.  At January 31,  1999,  the Company had
$28,117,820 of open purchase  commitments with Redwood,  representing 87% of the
Company's total purchase commitments.

     There can be no assurance that, in the future, the capacity or availability
of  manufacturers  or suppliers  will be adequate to meet the Company's  product
needs.

Tariffs, Import Duties and Quotas

     All products  manufactured  overseas are subject to United States  tariffs,
customs duties and quotas.  In accordance with the Harmonized  Tariff  Schedule,
the Company pays import duties on its footwear products  manufactured outside of
the United States rates  ranging from  approximately  3.2% to 48%,  depending on
whether the  principal  component of the  product,  which varies from product to
product is leather or some other material.  Accordingly,  the import duties vary
with each  shipment of footwear  products.  Since 1981,  there have not been any
quotas or  restrictions,  other  than the  duties  mentioned  above,  imposed on
footwear imported by the Company into the United States.

     The Company is unable to predict whether,  or in what form, quotas or other
restrictions on the  importation of its footwear  products may be imposed in the
future.  Any  imposition  of quotas or other  import  restrictions  could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

     In addition,  other restrictions on the importation of footwear and apparel
are  periodically  considered by the United States Congress and no assurance can
be given  that  tariffs  or duties  on the  Company's  goods may not be  raised,
resulting in higher costs to the Company,  or that import quotas respecting such
goods may not be  lowered,  which could  restrict or delay  shipment of products
from the Company's existing foreign suppliers.

Backlog

     On March 31, 2000,  the Company had an  estimated  backlog of orders of its
products of approximately $33,827,000, as compared to a backlog of approximately
$36,375,000  at March 31, 1999.  The backlog at March 31, 2000 is expected to be
filled during Fiscal 2001. The backlog at any  particular  time is affected by a
number of factors,  including  seasonality,  the buying  policies of  retailers,
scheduling, and the manufacture and shipment of products.

Seasonality

     In previous  years,  demand for the  Company's  footwear  peaked during the
months of June through August (the  Fall/back-to-school  selling  season).  As a
result,  shipment  of the  Company's  products in  previous  years were  heavily
concentrated in its second and third fiscal quarters. Accordingly, historically,
operating results have fluctuated significantly from quarter to quarter.

Customers and Sales

     During  Fiscal 2000,  the Company  sold its footwear  products to more than
1,100 retail  accounts  consisting of  department  stores,  including  Federated
Stores (which include Macy's and  Bloomingdale's),  Nordstrom's and May Company,
mass merchandisers,  Wal-Mart,  specialty stores and other outlets in the United
States. Wal-Mart, a customer of BrightStar, accounted for 10.2% of the Company's
total Fiscal 2000 net revenues.  No other individual customer accounted for more
than 10% of the Company's net revenues  during Fiscal 2000,  however May Company
accounted for  approximately  9.5% of total Fiscal 2000 net revenues.  In Fiscal
1999,  no  individual  customer  accounted  for more  than 10% of the  Company's
revenues.

     The  Company  has   international   distribution   agreements  with  United
Authentics,  GmbH for exclusive  distribution of footwear in Germany and Austria
through  January 31,  2002,  Bata Shoe Pte.  Ltd.  of  Singapore  for  exclusive
distribution  of footwear in Singapore  through  April 2000,  Sports  Odyssey of
Canada for  exclusive  distribution  of footwear in Canada  through  January 31,
2002, Dafna-Hulate Shoe Distribution Ltd.


                                       6



for exclusive  distribution  of footwear in Israel through January 31, 2002, and
Calego  International,  Inc. for exclusive  distribution  of handbags in Canada,
which agreement was terminated on or about April 1, 2000.  Pursuant to the terms
of such  distribution  agreements,  the  distributor  purchases  certain minimum
volumes of products  from the  Company  for  distribution  in  specialty  stores
throughout the  applicable  territories  and pays the Company  royalties on such
purchases.   During  Fiscal  2000  and  Fiscal  1999,   the  Company   generated
approximately  $249,000, and $208,000 respectively in sales to the international
markets  mentioned above and sales to  international  markets in the fiscal year
ended January 31, 1998 ("Fiscal 1998") were deminimus. The Company will continue
to evaluate existing and potential international agreements.

     The Company generally requires payment for goods by its customers either by
letter of credit or by check, subject to collection,  within 30 to 60 days after
delivery of the goods. In certain instances,  the Company offers its customers a
discount from the purchase price in lieu of returned goods; otherwise, goods may
be returned  solely for defects in quality,  in which event the Company  returns
the goods to the manufacturer for a credit to the Company's account.

     As of January 31, 2000,  the Company  utilized the services of 14 full time
sales persons, seven of whom are independent contractors, who are compensated on
a commission  basis. The Company  emphasizes  customer service in the conduct of
its  operations  and  maintains a customer  service  department.  The  Company's
customer service department  processes customer purchase orders and supports the
sales representatives by coordinating orders and shipments with customers.

Trademarks and Licensing

     The Company owns federal registrations or has pending federal registrations
in the United States Patent and Trademark  Office for CANDIE'S and BONGO in both
block letter and logo format for use on footwear, apparel,  fragrance,  handbags
and various other goods and services. In addition, from time to time the Company
registers  certain of its  trademarks in other  countries and regions  including
Canada, Europe and South and Central America.

     The Company regards the trademarks and other  intellectual  property rights
that it owns and uses as valuable  assets and intends to defend them  vigorously
against infringement.  There can be no assurance,  however, that the CANDIE'S or
BONGO  trademarks,  or any other  trademark which the Company owns or uses, does
not,  and will not,  violate  the  proprietary  rights of others,  that any such
trademark  would be upheld if challenged,  or that the Company would, in such an
event,  not be prevented  from using such  trademarks,  which event could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.  In addition,  there can be no assurance
that the Company will have the financial or other resources necessary to enforce
or defend an infringement action.

     The Company also owns other registered and unregistered trademarks which it
does not consider to be material to its current operations.

     The Company has pursued and intends to pursue licensing  opportunities  for
its  trademarks as an important  means for reaching the targeted  consumer base,
increasing brand awareness in the marketplace and generating  additional income.
Potential  licensees  are  subject  to a  selective  process  performed  by  the
Company's  management.  The Company will enter into  licensing  agreements  with
additional  parties  in  addition  to those  described  below only if there is a
compatibility of quality standards, brand perception, distribution capabilities,
experience in a respective business, financial stability, and marketability of a
proposed product.

     During Fiscal 1999, the Company  entered into three licenses for use of the
CANDIE'S trademark on fragrance, leg wear and eyewear, respectively. Pursuant to
the first  license,  the  Company  granted Liz  Claiborne  Cosmetics,  Inc.  the
exclusive right to license the CANDIE'S name and other  trademarks for a variety
of fragrance and  fragrance-related  products throughout the world for a term of
approximately  15 years ending  December  31,  2012.  The licensee has a renewal
option for a term of five to ten years ending  December 31, 2017 or December 31,
2022, as applicable,  depending upon the licensee's sales performance during the
initial term.  Pursuant to the second  license,  the Company  granted Ben Berger
LLC,


                                       7



the  exclusive  right to  license  the  CANDIE'S  brand  for  socks  and  tights
throughout the United States and Canada for a term of three years ending January
31,  2002.  The  licensee  has a renewal  option for a term of two years  ending
January 31, 2004, if it, among other things,  achieves  threshold  minimum sales
during the initial term. Pursuant to the third license, the Company granted Viva
Optique,  Inc. the exclusive  right to license the CANDIE'S brand for sunglasses
and eyewear  throughout  the world for a term of three years ending  January 31,
2002. The licensee has renewal options for consecutive terms of three years each
ending  January 31, 2005 and January 31,  2008,  respectively,  if,  among other
things, it achieves threshold minimum sales during the initial term.

     The  Company  also  assumed,  as a result of the  Caruso  acquisition,  two
licensing  agreements for the BONGO  trademark,  one for the exclusive  right to
license the BONGO trademark throughout the United States and its territories and
possessions for junior denim/sportswear with Jenna Lane Licensing I, Inc., for a
term of  approximately  three and a half years ending  March 31,  2002,  with an
option to renew if the licensee,  among other things, achieves threshold minimum
sales during the initial term,  and one for the  exclusive  right to license the
BONGO trademark throughout the United States and its territories and possessions
for junior plus size denim/sportswear  with M. Fine & Sons Company,  Inc., for a
term of four years ending May 31, 2002, with an option for the licensee to renew
for a term of three years if licensee,  among other things,  achieves  threshold
minimum  sales  during the initial  term.  In  connection  with the Merger,  the
Company  assumed a license  agreement  with Wal-Mart which expires in July 2002,
with respect to the NO EXCUSES trademark.

     Also during Fiscal 1999, the Company  entered into  licensing  arrangements
with Unzipped,  granting  Unzipped the exclusive license to use the CANDIE'S and
BONGO  trademarks for the purpose of  manufacturing,  distributing and marketing
apparel and jeanswear through January 31, 2003, throughout the United States and
its territories and possessions.

     In addition,  on or about March 3, 2000, the Company  granted the exclusive
right to use the CANDIE'S and BONGO name on handbags and small  leather goods to
Trebbianno  throughout the United States,  Canada,  the United Kingdom and Japan
for a term of three and a half years ending  December 31, 2003. The licensee has
a renewal  option for a term of three years ending  December 31, 2006, if, among
other things, it achieves threshold minimum sales during the initial term.

     The Company also sells  footwear  under the ASPEN  trademark  pursuant to a
license from Aspen Licensing  International,  Inc. The ASPEN license  agreement,
which was amended on September 22, 1998,  grants Bright Star the exclusive right
to  market  and  distribute  certain  categories  of  footwear  under  the ASPEN
trademark in the United States,  its  territories  and  possessions,  for a term
expiring on September 30, 2000.  The ASPEN  licenses  require the Company to pay
minimum  royalties  based on  percentages  of sales  exceeding  certain  minimum
amounts.

Competition

     The footwear industry is extremely competitive in the United States and the
Company faces  substantial  competition in each of its product lines from, among
other brands, Skechers, Steve Madden and Esprit. In general, competitive factors
include quality,  price, style, name recognition and service.  In addition,  the
presence  in  the   marketplace  of  various  fashion  trends  and  the  limited
availability  of shelf  space  can  affect  competition.  Many of the  Company's
competitors have substantially  greater financial,  distribution,  marketing and
other resources than the Company and have achieved  significant name recognition
for their brand names.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will be able
to  compete  successfully  with the other  companies  marketing  these  types of
products.

Employees

     As of March 31, 2000, the Company employed 141 persons, 97 full-time and 44
part-time. Three of the Company's employees are executives and the remainder are
management,  sales,  marketing,  product development,  administrative,  customer
service  representatives  and  retail  store  personnel.  None of the  Company's
employees  are  represented  by a labor  union.  The Company  also  utilizes the
services of seven


                                       8



independent  contractors  who are engaged in sales.  The Company  considers  its
relations with its employees to be satisfactory.

Other Material Developments

     During  the  course of its  uncompleted  audit of the  Company's  financial
statements for Fiscal 1999, Ernst & Young, LLP ("E & Y"), the Company's auditors
until June 17,  1999,  informed  the  Company  that it had been unable to obtain
sufficient   evidentiary   support  to  determine  the  appropriateness  of  the
accounting  that the  Company  had  applied to certain  transactions  that could
affect the Company's  financial  results for the first three  quarters of Fiscal
1999 and Fiscal 1999 as a whole and for Fiscal 1998.

     In response to these issues, on May 14, 1999, the Company's Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors (the "Board") appointed a Special Committee to conduct
an independent investigation of such transactions, and any other transactions or
matters that it might discover during the course of the investigation. To assist
the Special  Committee in its  investigation  and the accounting  analysis,  the
Special Committee retained the law firm of Squadron Ellenoff Plesent & Sheinfeld
LLP, which, in turn, retained the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

     On or about June 17, 1999,  the Company  terminated  the services of E & Y.
See Item 9 "Changes in and Disagreements  with  Accountants".  On June 22, 1999,
the Company retained the accounting firm of BDO Seidman,  LLP ("BDO") to replace
E & Y as its independent auditors to audit its financial statements with respect
to Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1999.

     On  or  about  August  26,  1999,  the  Special  Committee   completed  its
investigation and reported to the Board as to its findings and  recommendations.
The  Special  Committee  recommended,  among  other  things,  that  the  Company
implement certain remedial procedures and systems.

     In September 1999, BDO completed its audits of Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1999.
As a result of the audit,  the  financial  statements  of the Company for Fiscal
1998 and for the first three  quarters of Fiscal 1999 were restated from amounts
previously  reported.  In addition,  the Company restated its previously  issued
financial  statements for the three quarters ended April 30, 1998, July 31, 1998
and October 31, 1998, by filing the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A.

     Since May 1999,  several  lawsuits  have been filed against the Company and
certain of its current and former officers and directors alleging  violations of
the federal securities laws. These lawsuits have been consolidated into a single
class  action  currently  pending in the United  States  District  Court for the
Southern District of New York. On or about January 31, 2000, the Company entered
into a  Settlement  Agreement  with the  class,  which  has  been  preliminarily
approved by the Court.  It is anticipated  that the Court will conduct a hearing
on the final  approval of the  Settlement  Agreement in or about July 2000.  See
Item 3, "Legal Proceedings".

     The staff of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  have also
commenced a formal  investigation  into the Company's actions in connection with
the  accounting  issues  that  have  been  raised  and were the  subject  of the
investigation by the Special Committee. See Item 3 "Legal Proceedings".

Item 2. Properties

     The Company  currently  occupies  19,653 square feet of office and showroom
space at 2975 Westchester Avenue,  Purchase, New York pursuant to a lease, which
expired on March 31, 2000, subject to the Company's right to renew the lease for
an additional  five year term under certain  circumstances.  The monthly  rental
expense pursuant to the lease was  approximately  $33,000 per month depending on
use of  electricity  through the expiration  date of the lease.  The Company has
been  considering  other  properties,  and has commenced lease  negotiations for
approximately 13,500 square feet located at 400 Columbus Avenue,  Valhalla,  New
York.  Pending a final  executed  lease of the  Valhalla  premises,  the Company
remains in occupation of its current space on a month to month basis.


                                       9



     The Company also maintains  seven domestic  retail stores of which four are
outlets  located in suburban  shopping malls in various  locations in and around
the New York Metropolitan area, two are specialty stores located in malls in New
Jersey  and one is a  specialty  store  located in a Mall in  Pennsylvania.  The
leases for the retail stores  expire at various  times between  October 2002 and
October 2009. In addition to specified monthly rental payments,  additional rent
at all shopping mall  locations is based on percentages of annual gross sales of
the retail store  exceeding  certain and  proportionate  amounts of monthly real
estate taxes, utilities and other expenses relating to the shopping mall.

     The Company also occupies  showrooms at : (i) the fifth and sixth floors at
215 W. 40th Street, New York; (ii) the fourteenth floor at 215 West 40th Street,
New York,  NY; and the (iii) the fifth floor at 320 Fifth Avenue,  New York, NY.
The lease for the fifth and sixth floors at 215 West 40th Street,  New York, NY,
which  space is used both as a  showroom  for the  CANDIE'S  brand and as office
space, is held jointly in the name of Showroom Holding Co., Inc. (a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the Company)  and  Unzipped  and  provides for monthly  rental of
$19,280 for both floors,  and a lease  expiration of March 31, 2003. The monthly
rental for the fourteenth floor at 215 West 40th Street,  New York, NY, which is
used as showroom space for the BONGO brand, is $7,500,  with that lease expiring
on July 31, 2001.  The lease for the fifth floor at 320 Fifth Avenue,  New York,
NY,  which was  assigned  in the  acquisition  of  Caruso  and is in the name of
Michael Caruso & Co., Inc.,  which space has been used as a handbag showroom for
both brands, has a monthly rental of $2,472, which increased to $2,600 per month
on March 1, 2000 and expires on February 28, 2002.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

     Several lawsuits are pending against the Company and certain of its current
and former  officers and directors in the United States  District  Court for the
Southern  District of New York.  There can be no assurance that the Company will
successfully defend these lawsuits.

     On May 17, 1999, a purported  stockholder  class action complaint was filed
in the United  States  District  Court for the  Southern  District  of New York,
against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors
which  together with certain  other  complaints  subsequently  filed in the same
court alleging similar violations were consolidated in one lawsuit, Willow Creek
Capital Partners, L.P., v. Candie's, Inc. A consolidated complaint was served on
the Company on or about August 24, 1999.  The  consolidated  complaint  includes
claims under  sections 11, 12 and 15 of the  Securities Act of 1933 and sections
10(b) and 20(a)  and Rule  10b-5 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934.  The
consolidated  complaint  is  brought  on  behalf  of all  persons  who  acquired
securities  of the Company  between May 28, 1997 and May 12,  1999,  and alleges
that the  plaintiffs  were  damaged  by reason of the  Company's  having  issued
materially  false and  misleading  financial  statements for Fiscal 1998 and the
first three  quarters of Fiscal 1999,  which caused the Company's  securities to
trade at artificially inflated prices.

     On or about  January  31,  2000,  the  Company  entered  into a  settlement
agreement  with  plaintiffs  (the  "Settlement  Agreement")  to settle the class
action for total consideration of $10 million, payable in a combination of cash,
Candie's Common Stock and convertible  preferred stock (the "Preferred  Stock").
The Settlement Agreement provides that on or about May 1, 2000, the Company will
pay to plaintiffs  $3 million in cash,  and issue  Candie's  Common Stock with a
value of $2 million.  The Company will pay the Class an additional $1 million on
or before October 1, 2000.  The remaining $4 million owed to plaintiffs  will be
in the form of Preferred Stock, which will convert to Candie's Common Stock at a
rate of ten to one based on the price of the Candie's  Common Stock on the first
and second  anniversary of the date of the approval of the Settlement  Agreement
by the Court. The Court has  preliminarily  approved the settlement and directed
the mailing and  publication  of a notice of the  settlement.  It is anticipated
that the Court will  conduct a hearing on the final  approval of the  Settlement
Agreement in or about July 2000.

     On August 4, 1999,  the staff of the SEC advised  the  Company  that it had
commenced a formal  investigation  into the actions of the Company and others in
connection with, among other things, the accounting issues that have been raised
and that were the subject of the investigation of the Special Committee.


                                       10



     The  Company is also a party to certain  litigation  incurred in the normal
course of business.  While any  litigation  has an element of  uncertainty,  the
Company believes that the final outcome of any of these routine matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's  financial position or future liquidity.
Except as set  forth in this  Item 3, the  Company  knows of no  material  legal
proceedings,  pending or threatened,  or judgments entered, against any director
or officer of the Company in his capacity as such.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     None.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

     As of result  of its  public  announcements  that the  Company  may have to
restate its  financial  results for Fiscal 1998 and the first three  quarters of
Fiscal 1999, on May 13, 1999, the Candie's  Common Stock,  which has been traded
on the National  Association of Securities  Dealers  Automated  Quotation System
("NASDAQ")  since  January 22,  1990  (under the symbol  "CAND") was halted from
trading.  During  suspension of the Candie's  Common  Stock,  which lasted until
October 13, 1999, the stock was listed under the symbol "CANDE".  On October 14,
1999 the  Candie's  Common  Stock  resumed  trading  on NASDAQ  under the symbol
"CAND". The following table sets forth, for the indicated periods,  the high and
low sales prices for the Candie's Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ:



                                                             High           Low


Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2000
     Fourth Quarter ................................         $1.75         $0.63
     Third Quarter .................................          1.75          0.56
     Second Quarter ................................          3.13          2.81
     First Quarter .................................          4.00          2.63

Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1999
     Fourth Quarter ................................         $6.25         $2.62
     Third Quarter .................................          7.37          3.81
     Second Quarter ................................          8.25          5.87
     First Quarter .................................          8.62          4.75

     As of April 26, 2000, there were  approximately  1,350 holders of record of
Candie's Common Stock.

     The  Company  has not paid cash  dividends  on its common  stock  since its
inception. The Company anticipates that for the foreseeable future, earnings, if
any, will be retained for use in the business or for other  corporate  purposes,
and it is not anticipated that any cash dividends will be paid by the Company in
the  foreseeable  future.  Cash dividends are subject to approval by Rosenthal &
Rosenthal, Inc., ("Rosenthal") the Company's lender.

     During the fiscal  quarter  ended  January 31,  2000,  the  Company  issued
ten-year  options to its employees to purchase an aggregate of 1,457,250  shares
of Candie's  Common Stock at exercise  prices of: (i) $1.9375 for 25,000 shares,
(ii) $0.4938 for 10,125 shares,  (iii) $0.5432 for 10,125  shares,  (iv) $1.5625
for 253,000 shares, (v) $1.50 for 400,000 shares, (vii) $1.25 for 10,000 shares,
(vii)  $0.8125  for 75,000  shares,  (viii)  $1.1562  for 2,500  shares and (ix)
$1.1875 for 671,500 shares.  The foregoing  options were acquired by the holders
for investment in private  transactions  exempt from  registration  by virtue of
either Sections 2(a) (3) or 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data


                                       11



                       Selected Historical Financial Data
                (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts)

     The following  table  presents  selected  historical  financial data of the
Company for the periods indicated. The selected historical financial information
is derived from the audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of the Company
referred  to under item 8 of this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  and  previously
published  historical financial statements not included in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K. The following  selected  financial data should be read in conjunction
with Item 7  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of  Operations"  and the Company's  consolidated  financial  statements,
including the notes thereto, included elsewhere herein.






                             Year Ended January 31,



                                                2000           1999         1998            1997           1996
                                                ----           ----         ----            ----           ----

Operating Data:
- --------------

                                                                                         
Net revenues........................         $90,796       $114,696      $89,297         $45,005        $37,914
Operating income (loss).............         (22,862)           786        4,889             891          2,057
Net (loss) income ..................         (25,176)          (641)       3,405           1,145          1,054
(Loss) earnings per share:
   Basic............................          $(1.41)         $(.04)        $.30            $.13           $.12
   Diluted..........................           (1.41)          (.04)         .25             .11            .11
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding:
   Basic............................           17,798        15,250       11,375           9,143          8,726
   Diluted..........................           17,798        15,250       13,788          10,152          9,427



                                       12



                                 At January 31,

                                  2000      1999      1998      1997        1996
                                  ----      ----      ----      ----        ----
Balance Sheet Data:
- ------------------

Current Assets ...............   $32,799   $45,216   $21,459   $ 9,039   $ 5,969

Total assets .................    64,058    74,600    29,912    14,709    11,746

Long-Term debt ...............     1,848       271      --        --        --

Total stockholders' equity ...    32,948    51,849    23,550     8,608     5,586




Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

     Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.  The  statements  that are not  historical  facts  contained in Item 7 and
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward looking statements that
involve a number of known and unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and other factors,
all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond
the control of the Company,  which may cause the actual results,  performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially  different from any future results,
performance  or  achievements  expressed  or  implied  by such  forward  looking
statements.

     Such  factors  include,  but  are not  limited  to,  uncertainty  regarding
continued market  acceptance of current products and the ability to successfully
develop  and  market new  products  particularly  in light of  rapidly  changing
fashion  trends,   the  impact  of  supply  and  manufacturing   constraints  or
difficulties  relating to the  Company's  dependence  on foreign  manufacturers,
uncertainties   relating  to  customer  plans  and   commitments,   competition,
uncertainties  relating  to  economic  conditions  in the  markets  in which the
Company operates,  the ability to hire and retain key personnel,  the ability to
obtain capital if required, the risks of litigation and regulatory  proceedings,
the risks of uncertainty of trademark  protection,  the uncertainty of marketing
and licensing  acquired  trademarks  and other risks  detailed  below and in the
Company's other SEC filings,  and uncertainty  associated with the impact on the
Company in relation to recent events discussed in this report and under "Item 1.

     The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "seek" and similar expressions
identify  forward-looking  statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward  looking  statements,  which speak only as of the date
the statement, was made.

     Seasonal And Quarterly  Fluctuations.  The Company's  quarterly results may
fluctuate  quarter to quarter as a result of  holidays,  weather,  the timing of
footwear shipments,  market acceptance of Company products, the mix, pricing and
presentation  of the  products  offered  and sold,  the hiring and  training  of
additional personnel,  the timing of inventory write downs,  fluctuations in the
cost of  materials,  the mix between  wholesale and  licensing  businesses,  the
incurrence of other  operating  costs and factors beyond the Company's  control,
such as general economic conditions and the action of competitors.  Accordingly,
the results of operations in any quarter will not  necessarily  be indicative of
the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter.

     In addition, the timing of the receipt of future revenues could be impacted
by the recent  trend among  retailers in the  Company's  industry to order goods
closer to a particular  selling season than they have  historically done so. The
Company  continues  to seek to expand and  diversify  its product  lines to help


                                       13



reduce the  dependence on any  particular  product line and lessen the impact of
the seasonal  nature of its business.  However,  the success of the Company will
still largely  remain  dependent on its ability to accurately  predict  upcoming
fashion trends among its customer base,  build and maintain brand  awareness and
to fulfill the product  requirements  of its retail channel within the shortened
timeframe  required.  Unanticipated  changes in  consumer  fashion  preferences,
slowdowns  in the United  States  economy,  changes  in the prices of  supplies,
consolidation of retail establishments,  among other factors noted herein, could
adversely affect the Company's future operating results.

General Introduction

     Of the Company's  net loss of $25.2 million for Fiscal 2000,  $11.9 million
was attributable primarily to losses on recurring operations,  $8.0 million, for
litigation  settlement costs,  $3.0 million in special legal and  administrative
costs, and $2.0 million on joint venture losses.  Losses on recurring operations
were  the  result  of a 4.8%  decline  in  gross  profit  rate  attributable  to
promotional  pricing  discounts  as well as an 11.9%  increase  of  general  and
administrative  expenses  primarily  due to the  impact of the  Company's  prior
expansion outside of its core footwear  business.  These declines were partially
offset by a 2.6 million increase in licensing revenue.

     Non recurring litigation and legal and administrative costs of $8.0 million
and $3.0 million,  respectively,  were incurred to investigate and to respond to
certain  issues  relating to the  restatement of certain Fiscal 1999 results and
Fiscal  1998  results  and  to  defend  related  lawsuits.  See  Item  3  "Legal
Proceedings."

     The Unzipped joint venture  recorded a loss of $ 4.0 million  primarily due
to the discontinuance of the Candies jeans line. The Company's share of the loss
was $2.0 million or 2.2% of net revenues.

     As part of its plan to  improve  its  operating  results,  the  Company  is
focusing its efforts on its core footwear  business  while  continuing to expand
its licensing  agreements  that it believes will enhance the Candies brand.  The
core business  initiatives  include  improving  inventory turn and consolidating
east coast  distribution  facilities.  These  initiatives  have been implemented
during the fourth  quarter  of Fiscal  2000 and the first  quarter of the fiscal
year ended  January 31, 2001  ("Fiscal  2001"),  the benefits of which are to be
realized in Fiscal 2001.  In  addition,  the Company has already  developed  its
candies.com website as both a Y generation  destination,  and e-commerce site by
partnering with MTV for content and with Journey for product fulfillment.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2000 Compared to Fiscal 1999

     Revenues.  Net  revenues  decreased  by  $23.9  million  or  20.8% to $90.8
million,  during Fiscal 2000, due primarily to decreased  sales of Candies brand
footwear  of $15.1  million,  decreased  private  label  sales of $5.3  million,
decreased  sales of girls footwear of $2.4 million and the absence of the Fiscal
1999,  one time revenues of $2.1 million  generated in  connection  with certain
customers.  These decreases in Fiscal 2000 net revenues were partially offset by
sales  increases in handbags of $1.2 million and retail sales  increases of $1.1
million. The decline in footwear revenue is due to decreased consumer acceptance
of the Company's Fiscal 2000 footwear styles.

     Gross  Profit.  Gross  profit  decreased  by $9.9  million  or 38% to $16.4
million from $26.3  million in the prior year.  As a percentage of net revenues,
gross profit  decreased from 22.9% in Fiscal 1999 to 18.1% in Fiscal 2000.  This
decline in gross profit rate was primarily  attributable to promotional  pricing
discounts. The decreased gross profit was comprised as follows: $2.9 million for
girls footwear,  $4.9 million for Candies brand footwear,  $1.2 for Bongo,  $0.3
for handbags and $1.1 for private  label;  partially  offset by the retail store
increased profits of $0.5 million.


                                       14



     Licensing  Income.  Licensing Income increased $2.6 million to $3.0 million
for Fiscal 2000.  This increase was  attributable  to the acquired Bongo license
and newly granted fragrance and eyewear licensing arrangements.

     Operating Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased
by  approximately  $5.4  million  to $31.3  million  during  Fiscal  2000.  As a
percentage  of  net  revenues,  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses
increased  to 34.4% for  Fiscal  2000  from  22.5%  for the  prior  year.  These
increases reflect costs attributable to increased  amortization expenses related
to  the  Company's  acquisitions  and  fixed  asset  additions  ($1.6  million),
increased  advertising and website  expenditures  ($1.8  million),  coupled with
increased  salary  expenses  incurred as a result of  management  changes  ($0.9
million)  as well as  increased  freight,  rent,  legal,  other and  finance fee
expenses ($1.1 million).

     In addition,  the Company incurred significant non recurring litigation and
legal and  administrative  costs to  investigate  and respond to certain  issues
relating to the restatement of its Fiscal 1999 quarterly results and Fiscal 1998
results.  These one-time charges include, a litigation  settlement of $8 million
and $ 3 million in legal and  administrative  and certain  litigation costs. See
Item 3 "Legal Proceedings."

     Operating  Income  (Loss.)  As a  result  of  the  foregoing,  the  Company
sustained  an  operating  loss of $22.9  million  for Fiscal  2000,  compared to
operating income of $0.8 million for the prior fiscal year.

     Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense  increased  by $0.4  million  to $1.4
million,  or 1.6% of net  revenues,  primarily  as a result  of  higher  average
borrowings  and higher  interest  rates  under the  Company's  revolving  credit
facility.

     Equity Losses in Joint Venture.  The Unzipped joint venture recorded a loss
of $4.0  million  for Fiscal 2000  primarily  due to the  discontinuance  of the
Candies jeans line. The Company's share of this loss was $2.0 million or 2.2% of
net revenues, as compared to the prior fiscal year loss of $1.1 million with the
Company's portion being $0.5 million.

     Income Tax  Benefit.  The income tax benefit was limited to $1.1 million or
4% of pre tax losses due to the  establishment of a valuation  provision of $9.3
million  in  Fiscal  2000.   The  Company  has  a  net  deferred  tax  asset  of
approximately  $3.6 million which  management  believes will be recoverable from
profits to be generated  over the next few years.  The valuation  allowance of $
9.3 million represents  amounts that can not be assured of  recoverability.  See
Note 13 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

     Net Loss. As a result of the foregoing, the Company sustained a net loss of
$25.2 million for Fiscal 2000,  compared to a net loss of $0.6 million,  for the
prior fiscal year.

Fiscal 1999 Compared to Fiscal 1998

     Revenues.  Net  revenues  increased  by $25.4  million,  or 28.4% to $114.7
million,  primarily  as a result  of  increased  brand  awareness  and  consumer
acceptance  due to the  Company's  increased  sales and marketing  efforts,  the
continued  growth of children's  footwear  products,  the launch of handbags and
increased international distribution of products.

     Gross  Profit.  Gross Profit  margins  decreased to 22.9% from 24.6% in the
prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily attributable to increased customer
returns and allowances  coupled with increased  revenues  obtained from footwear
products on a private label basis that typically generate lower margins.

     Operating Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased
by approximately $8.7 million to $25.9 million for Fiscal 1999 compared to $17.2
million for the prior fiscal year.  As a percentage  of net  revenues,  selling,
general and administrative expenses increased 3.3% to 22.5% for Fiscal 1999 from
19.2% for the  prior  fiscal  year.  These  increases  reflect  costs  which are
directly  associated  with the  increase in net  revenues,  including  increased
advertising expenditures ($2.4 million), increased amortization expenses related
to the Company's acquisitions and fixed asset additions ($0.9 million),


                                       15



coupled with the costs incurred in implementing the Company's  strategic plan to
strengthen its management  team and  infrastructure  ($3.0  million),  which the
Company believed was necessary for future growth.

     Operating Income. As a result of the foregoing,  operating income decreased
$4.1 million to $0.8  million for Fiscal 1999,  compared to $4.9 million for the
prior year.

     Interest  Expense.  Interest expense  decreased by $0.1 million,  or 11.0%,
primarily as a result of lower average borrowings and, to a lesser extent, lower
interest rates under the Company's revolving credit facility.

     Income Tax Expense.  The relationship of the income tax provision in Fiscal
1999 and Fiscal 1998,  respectively,  to income  before income taxes was 16% and
9%,  respectively.  The Fiscal 1999 year  effective  rate was low because of the
state tax rates and nondeductible amortization expense. The Fiscal 1998 rate was
low due to the reversal of the valuation allowance.

     Net Income. As a result of the foregoing,  the Company sustained a net loss
of $.6 million for Fiscal  1999,  compared to net income of $3.4 million for the
prior year.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Working Capital.  Working capital  decreased $19.4 million to approximately
$3.5 million at January 31, 2000 from approximately $22.9 million at January 31,
1999. The decrease is due primarily to current year losses. At January 31, 2000,
the current ratio of assets to liabilities  was 1.12 to 1 as compared to 2.02 to
1 for the prior fiscal year.

     The Company  continues to rely upon trade credit,  revenues  generated from
operations,  especially  private  label  and  licensing  activity,  as  well  as
borrowings  from its factor to finance its  operations.  Net cash  provided from
operating  activities  totaled $3.3  million in Fiscal 2000,  as compared to net
cash used in operating  activities of $22.0 million in Fiscal 1999.  The changes
in net cash of $25.3  million  were  realized  primarily  as  follows:  Non cash
settlement  expense of $8.0 million,  additional  losses on the joint venture of
$1.5 million for Fiscal 2000, and the prior fiscal year's  recharacterzation  of
$16.0 million from a change in operaing asset to financing activity.

     Capital  expenditures.  Capital  expenditures  were $2.8 million for Fiscal
2000 as compared to $1.9  million for the prior year.  The current  year capital
expenditures  include:  retail store  additions  $1.1 million,  data  processing
software and  equipment  $0.6  million,  and the  remainder  showroom and office
additions.  The Company's 2001 capital expenditure plans of $2.2 million include
$1.0  million  for  website  development  costs and $0.9  million for up to five
additional retail store. The Company believes that it will be able to fund these
anticipated  expenditures primarily with cash flow from operations  supplemented
by borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility.

     Financing  Activities.   During  Fiscal  1999,  substantially  all  of  the
Company's  outstanding  Class C warrants  ("Warrants")  were  exercised  and the
Company  received  aggregate  proceeds of  approximately  $7.16 million from the
exercise of the Warrants. The proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings.
Each Warrant  entitled the holder  thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock
at an exercise price of $5.00. In addition, in Fiscal 1999, the Company received
proceeds of $1.17  million,  in  connection  with the  issuance of Common  Stock
relating to the exercise of outstanding stock options.

     On the  Effective  Date,  the Company  completed  the Merger with NRC. Each
issued and outstanding share of NRC Common Stock and each issued and outstanding
option to purchase one share of NRC Common Stock,  prior to the Effective  Date,
were  converted,  respectively,  into 0.405 shares of Candies Common Stock,  and
into options to purchase  0.405 shares of Candie's  Common Stock,  respectively.
The Merger was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.


                                       16



     At the  Effective  Date,  there were  5,743,639  outstanding  shares of NRC
Common Stock and options to purchase  1,585,000  shares of NRC Common Stock. The
5,743,639  outstanding  shares were  converted to  2,326,174  shares of Candie's
Common Stock and the 1,585,000  options were  converted into options to purchase
641,925  shares of Candie's  Common Stock.  NRC also owned  1,227,696  shares of
Candie's  Common  Stock and had options and  warrants to purchase an  additional
800,000  shares of  Candie's  Common  Stock.  These  options and  warrants  were
extinguished upon consummation of the Merger.

     On September  24, 1998,  the  Company,  through a wholly owned  subsidiary,
acquired all of the outstanding shares of Caruso. Pursuant to the agreement, the
Company acquired the BONGO trademark as well as certain other related trademarks
and two  license  agreements,  one for  children's  and one for large size jeans
wear. Prior to the acquisition,  Caruso licensed certain trademarks  relating to
footwear to the Company, which license was terminated as of the closing date.

     The purchase price for the shares acquired was approximately  $15.4 million
and was paid at the closing in 1,967,742  shares of Candie's  Common Stock (each
share being  valued at $7.75),  plus $0.1  million in cash.  In March  1999,  an
additional 547,722 shares of Candie's Common Stock were delivered to the sellers
based on a clause in the agreement  requiring an upward adjustment in the number
of shares delivered at Closing.

     Capital Contribution to Unzipped. On or about October 31, 1999, the Company
made a $0.5 million capital contribution to Unzipped.  In addition,  pursuant to
the terms of the  Operating  Agreement  of Unzipped,  on January 31,  2003,  the
Company must purchase  from Sweet,  Sweet's  entire  interest in Unzipped at the
aggregate  purchase  price equal to 50% of 7.5 times  EBITDA of Unzipped for the
fiscal year  commencing  on February 1, 2002 and ending  January 31,  2003.  The
Company has the right, in its sole discretion,  to pay for such interest in cash
or shares of Candie's  Common  Stock.  In the event the Company  elects to issue
shares of Candie's Common Stock to Sweet,  Sweet shall receive registered shares
of  Candie's  Common  Stock and the right to  designate a member to the Board of
Directors  for the Company  until the earlier to occur of (i) the sale of any of
such  shares  or (ii)  two  years  from the date of  closing  of such  purchase.
Unzipped reported an operating loss of $4.0 million for Fiscal 2000, as compared
to the prior year's loss of $1.1 million;  the Company's share of the losses was
$2.0 million and $0.5 million  respectively.  The Company believes that Unzipped
is  currently  in breach  of  certain  provisions  of the  agreements  among the
parties,  and has  notified  Unzipped  that  the  Company  does  not  intend  to
contribute any additional capital toward the joint venture.

     Current Revolving Credit Facility. On October 28, 1999, the Company entered
into a new two-year $35 million  revolving line of credit (the "Line of Credit")
with Rosenthal & Rosenthal,  Inc. ("Rosenthal") and terminated its former credit
facility.  On November  23,  1999,  First Union  National  Bank  entered  into a
co-lending  arrangement  and  became  a  participant  in  the  Line  of  Credit.
Borrowings  under the Line of Credit are formula  based and  available up to the
maximum amount of the Line of Credit.  Borrowings  under the Line of Credit bear
interest  at 0.5%  above  the prime  rate.  Certain  borrowings  in excess of an
availability  formula  will bear  interest  at 2.5%  above the prime  rate.  The
Company  will also pay an annual  facility  fee of .25% of the  maximum  Line of
Credit.  The  minimum  factoring  commission  fee for the  initial  term is $0.5
million.  As of January 31, 2000, the  outstanding  borrowing under the facility
was $14.0 million, including outstanding letters of credit. Borrowings under the
Line of Credit were secured  against  factored  receivables  of $9.9 million and
inventory. Interest paid to Rosenthal for Fiscal 2000 was $0.3 million.

     The Line of Credit contains two financial  covenants for tangible net worth
and working  capital.  The Company was not in  compliance  with these  financial
covenants as of January 31, 2000 and received an interim  waiver from  Rosenthal
as of April 27, 2000. This waiver exempts the financial  covenants  unless there
is a deterioration of the financial condition of the Company.  In addition,  the
waiver  establishes  that  Rosenthal  and the Company  will  establish  mutually
agreeable financial covenants within a reasonable timeframe.

     In May 1999, the Company  entered into a $3.5 million master lease and loan
agreement with OneSource  Financial Corp. The agreement  requires the Company to
collateralize property and equipment of $1.9 million, with the remaining balance
considered to be an unsecured  loan.  The term of the agreement is four years at
an effective annual interest rate of 10.48%.  The outstanding loan balance as of
January 31, 2000 was $2.8  million.  The interest  paid for Fiscal 2000 was $0.3
million. The quarterly payment on the loan is $260,000, including interest.


                                       17



     The Company's cash requirements fluctuate from time to time due to seasonal
requirements,  including the timing of receipt of merchandise  and various other
factors.  The Company  believes that it will be able to satisfy its ongoing cash
requirements for the foreseeable future, including for the proposed expansion of
its  retail  operations  during  Fiscal  2001,  primarily  with  cash  flow from
operations,  supplemented  by  borrowings  under its existing  revolving  credit
facility.  However, if the Company's plans change or its assumptions prove to be
incorrect  it could be required to obtain  additional  capital  which may not be
available to it on acceptable terms.

     Prior Revolving  Credit  Facility.  In May 1998, the Company entered into a
three year $35 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility"). During Fiscal
2000 the Company failed to comply with certain covenants of the Facility and the
Facility  was  repaid in full with  proceeds  from the Line of Credit in October
1999.

Seasonality

     The  Company's  quarterly  results  may  fluctuate  quarter to quarter as a
result of holidays, weather, the timing of footwear shipments, market acceptance
of Company  products,  the mix, pricing and presentation of the products offered
and sold,  the  hiring  and  training  of  additional  personnel,  the timing of
inventory write downs,  fluctuations  in the cost of materials,  the mix between
wholesale and licensing businesses,  the incurrence of other operating costs and
factors beyond the Company's  control,  such as general economic  conditions and
the action of competitors. Accordingly, the results of operations in any quarter
will not  necessarily  be  indicative  of the results that may be achieved for a
full fiscal year or any future quarter.

     The Company's  products are marketed primarily for Fall and Spring seasons,
with  slightly  higher  volumes of  products  sold  during the second and fourth
quarters.


Effects of Inflation

     The  Company  does  not  believe  that  the  relatively  moderate  rates of
inflation  experienced  over the past few years in the United  States,  where it
primarily competes, have had a significant effect on revenues or profitability.


Net Operating Loss Carry Forwards

     At January 31, 2000, the Company had net operating  losses of approximately
$19.8  million for income tax  purposes,  which expire in the years 2007 through
2020.  Due to the issuance of Candie's  Common  Stock on February  23, 1993,  an
"ownership  change," as defined in Section  382 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,
occurred.  Section 382 restricts  the use of the  Company's  net operating  loss
carryforwards  incurred  prior to the  ownership  change to  $275,000  per year.
Approximately  $2.5 million of the operating loss  carryforwards  are subject to
this  restriction and accordingly,  no accounting  recognition has been given to
approximately  $1.8  million of  operating  losses  since  present  restrictions
preclude their utilization.  During Fiscal 1999, the Company merged with NRC and
was entitled to another $2.4 million of operating  losses incurred by NRC. These
operating  losses  are also  subject to  restriction  and only  $327,000  can be
carried forward each year. See Note 13 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

     The  Company  enters  into  forward  exchange  contracts  to hedge  foreign
currency transactions and not to engage in currency  speculation.  The Company's
forward exchange contracts do not subject the


                                       18



Company to risk from  exchange rate  movements  because gains and losses on such
contracts offset losses and gains,  respectively,  on the assets, liabilities or
transactions being hedged. The forward exchange contracts  generally require the
Company to exchange U.S. dollars for foreign  currencies.  If the counterparties
to the  exchange  contracts  do not  fulfill  their  obligations  to deliver the
contracted  currencies,  the Company  could be at risk for any currency  related
fluctuations.  The Company limits exposure to foreign  currency  fluctuations in
most of its purchase commitments through provisions that require vendor payments
in U.S.  dollars.  As of  January  31,  2000,  there  were no  forward  exchange
contracts outstanding.  Unrealized gains and losses are deferred and included in
the measurement of the related foreign currency transaction.  Gains or losses on
these contracts during Fiscal 2000, 1999, and 1998 were immaterial.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     The financial  statements required to be submitted in response to this Item
8 are set forth in Part IV, Item 14 of this report.


Item 9.  Changes  in  and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
         Financial Disclosure

     On June 17, 1999,  the Company  dismissed  Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y") as its
independent  auditors.  The reports of E&Y on the  financial  statements  of the
Company  for Fiscal  1998 and the fiscal  year ended  January  31,  1997 did not
contain an adverse  opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.  However, in a
May 12, 1999 press release the Company  indicated that its financial  statements
for Fiscal 1998 should not be relied upon.

     The  decision to change  auditors  was  approved by the Board and the Audit
Committee  of the  Board.  During  the time  that the  audits  of the  Company's
financial  statements  for  each of the two  fiscal  years in the  period  ended
January 31, 1998 were  conducted,  there were no  disagreements  with E&Y on any
matter of accounting principles or practices,  financial statement disclosure or
auditing scope or procedure  which,  if not resolved to the  satisfaction of E&Y
would have caused it to make reference to the matter in its report.

     During  the  course of its  uncompleted  audit of the  Company's  financial
statements  for Fiscal 1999, E&Y informed the Company that it had been unable to
obtain sufficient  evidentiary  support to determine the  appropriateness of the
accounting  the Company had applied to (i)  certain  barter  transactions,  (ii)
transactions with a related party and principal supplier and (iii) certain other
transactions  which may have affected the Company's interim quarterly  financial
results  during  Fiscal  1999.  E&Y also  requested  the  Company to appoint the
Special Committee to conduct an independent  investigation of such transactions.
E&Y also  informed the Company  that,  in its opinion,  the  resolution  of such
matters might require the Company to restate its financial  statement for Fiscal
1998 and each of the first three  quarters of Fiscal  1999,  and could result in
the Company reporting a loss for Fiscal 1999.

     In response to the issues raised by E&Y the Special Committee  commenced an
investigation. The Special Committee completed that investigation, and on August
26, 1999  reported  its  findings to the Board.  On June 22,  1999,  the Company
engaged  BDO  Seidman,  LLP  ("BDO") as its  independent  auditors  to audit its
financial  statements  with  respect to Fiscal 1998 and 1999 and, if  necessary,
other prior fiscal years. The Company has authorized E&Y to respond fully to any
inquiries  BDO made.  The Company did not seek the advice of BDO  regarding  the
subject matter of the foregoing reportable events with E&Y. However,  members of
the Company's  Board and  management  did fully disclose to BDO what the Company
believed  to be the  subject  matter of the issues  raised by E&Y as part of the
process of determining whether BDO would accept the Company's engagement and, if
so, the time frame in which BDO believed it could  complete the necessary  audit
of the  Company's  Financial  Statements.  The  information  with respect to the
Company's  change in auditors was previously  reported in the Company's Form 8-K
for the event dated June 17, 1999.


                                       19



PART III

     The information  required by Items 10 (Directors and Executive  Officers of
the Registrant), 11 (Executive Compensation),  12 (Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial  Owners and Management),  and 13 (Certain  Relationships  and Related
Transactions)  of Part III of this Form 10-K is omitted  from this report and is
incorporated by reference from the definitive  proxy statement for the Company's
annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be held in the year 2000 that will be filed
with the SEC on or before May 30, 2000.


PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule

     See the accompanying  Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule
     filed herewith submitted as a separate section of this report - See F-1

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     None

(c)  See the attached Index to Exhibits



                                       20


                                   Signatures

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                                     CANDIE'S, INC.


                                                     By: /s/ Neil Cole
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         Neil Cole
                                                         Chief Executive Officer


Dated: May 1, 2000

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:



Signature and Name           Capacity in Which Signed                           Date
- ------------------           ------------------------                           ----

                                                                          
/s/ Neil Cole                Chairman of the Board, President and Chief         May 1, 2000
- --------------               Executive Officer
Neil Cole

/s/John M. Needham           Vice President of Finance                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------           (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
John M. Needham

/s/ Barry Emanuel            Director                                           May 1, 2000
- -------------------
Barry Emanuel

/s/ Mark Tucker              Director                                           May 1, 2000
- -----------------
Mark Tucker

                             Director                                           May 1, 2000
- -------------------
Steven Mendelow

/s/ Peter Siris              Director                                           May 1, 2000
- ---------------
Peter Siris



                                       21



                                Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
Numbers  Description

2.1       Agreement  and Plan of  Merger  between  the  Company  and New  Retail
          Concepts, Inc.(8)

2.2       Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  September 24, 1998 by and among the
          Company,  Licensing  Acquisition  Corp.,  Michael  Caruso & Co.,  Inc.
          ("Caruso") and the stockholders of Caruso (11)

3.1       Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through October 1994 (1)(3)

3.2       Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation filed November 1994 (2)

3.3       Amendments to Certificate of  Incorporation  filed in August 1998, and
          February 2000 (16)

3.4       Restated and Amended By-Laws (16)

10.1      Trademark  Purchase  Agreement  between  the  Company  and New  Retail
          Concepts, Inc. (3)

10.2      1989 Stock Option Plan of the Company (1)

10.3      1997 Stock Option Plan of the Company (7)

10.4      Employment Agreement between Neil Cole and the Company (4)

10.5      Amendment to  Employment  Agreement  between Neil Cole and the Company
          (6)

10.6      Lease with respect to the Company's executive offices (2)

10.7      Agreement  dated as of April 3, 1996  between  the Company and Redwood
          Shoe Corp. (5)

10.8      Amendment  dated as of  September  30, 1996 to  agreement  dated as of
          April 3, 1996 between the Company and Redwood Shoe Corp. (6)

10.9      Employment  Agreement between Lawrence O' Shaughnessy and the Company.
          (5)

10.10     Amendment to Employment  Agreement between Lawrence  O'Shaughnessy and
          the Company. (6)

10.11     Employment Agreement between David Golden and the Company. (8)

10.12     Employment Agreement between Deborah Sorell Stehr and the Company (13)

10.13     Employment Agreement between Frank Marcinowski and the Company (13)

10.14     Limited Liability Company Operating  Agreement of Unzipped Apparel LLC
          (12)

10.15     Escrow Agreement by and among the Company,  the stockholders of Caruso
          and Tenzer Greenblatt LLP(11)

10.16     Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the stockholders
          of Caruso (11)

10.17     Amendment to Lease  Agreement with respect to the Company's  executive
          offices. (13)


                                       22



10.18     Amendment dated January 27, 2000 to Employment  Agreement between Neil
          Cole and the Company (16)

10.19     Amendment  dated  January 27,  2000 to  Employment  Agreement  between
          Deborah Sorell Stehr and the Company (16)

10.20     Employment Agreement between John M. Needham and the Company (16)

10.21     Rights  Agreement  dated  January  26,  2000  between  the Company and
          Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company (15)

10.22     Factoring  Agreement  between  Rosenthal  &  Rosenthal,  Inc.  and the
          Company (14)

10.23     Inventory Security  Agreement between Rosenthal & Rosenthal,  Inc. and
          the Company (14)

10.24     Factoring  Agreement  between  Rosenthal & Rosenthal,  Inc. and Bright
          Star Footwear, Inc. (14)

10.25     Inventory Security  Agreement between Rosenthal & Rosenthal,  Inc. and
          Bright Star Footwear, Inc. (14)

21        Subsidiaries of the Company. (16)

23        Consent of BDO Seidman LLP (16)

27        Financial Data Schedules. (for SEC use only) (16)

- ----------
(1)  Filed  with the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-18  (File
     33-32277-NY) and incorporated by reference herein.
(2)  Filed with the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
     January 31, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
(3)  Filed  with the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-1  (File
     33-53878) and incorporated by reference herein.
(4)  Filed  with the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended
     January 31, 1994 and incorporated by reference herein.
(5)  Filed with the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
     January 31, 1996, and incorporated by reference herein.
(6)  Filed with the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
     January 31, 1997, and incorporated by reference herein.
(7)  Filed  with the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter
     ended October 31, 1997, and incorporated by reference herein.
(8)  Filed  with the  Company's  Annual  Report on form 10-K for the year  ended
     January 31, 1998
(9)  Filed  with the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter
     ended April 30, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein.
(10) Filed with the  Company's  Joint proxy  Statement/Prospectus  dated July 2,
     1998  constituting a part of the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-4 333-52779
(11) Filed with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  September 24,
     1998 and incorporated by reference herein.
(12) Filed  with the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter
     ended October 31, 1998 and incorporated by reference herein.
(13) Filed  with the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended
     January 31, 1999
(14) Filed  with the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter
     ended October 31, 1999
(15) Filed with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2000
(16) Filed herewith




                                       23




                           Annual Report on Form 10-K

                      Item 8, 14(a)(1) and (2), (c) and (d)

          List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule

                           Year Ended January 31, 2000

                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                      F-1





                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                    Form 10-K

   Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule





The   following   consolidated   financial   statements  of  Candie's  Inc.  and
subsidiaries are included in Item 8:


                                                                                                   
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants on Financial Statements
    as of and for the Years Ended January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998............................         F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets - January 31, 2000 and 1999......................................         F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended
    January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998..........................................................         F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
    for the Years ended January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998......................................         F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended
    January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998..........................................................         F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................................         F-8




The following  consolidated  financial statement schedule of Candie's,  Inc. and
subsidiaries is included in Item 14(d):


                                                                                                   
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants on Financial Statement
    Schedule for the Years Ended January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998.............................         S-1

Schedule II  Valuation and qualifying accounts ..............................................         S-2




All other  schedules for which  provision is made in the  applicable  accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange  Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.


                                      F-2




               Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants


The Stockholders and Directors of
Candie's, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of Candie's,  Inc.
and  subsidiaries as of January 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related  consolidated
statements of operations,  stockholders'  equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended January 31, 2000. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the financial position of Candie's,  Inc. and
subsidiaries  at January 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their  operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31,
2000, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




/s/: BDO Seidman, LLP
- ---------------------
BDO Seidman, LLP




New York, New York
April 20, 2000


                                      F-3




                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        (in thousands, except par value)



                                                                            January 31,
                                                                        --------------------
                                                                          2000        1999
                                                                        --------    --------
                                                                              
Assets
Current Assets:
        Cash ........................................................   $    643    $    598
        Restricted cash .............................................      2,000          --
        Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
             $2,992 in 2000 and $950 in 1999 ........................      2,711       2,774
        Due from factor and accounts receivable, net of allowances of
             $1,830 in 2000 and $2,579 in 1999 ......................      8,034      15,138
        Due from affiliates .........................................        636         796
        Inventories .................................................     14,770      19,031
        Refundable and prepaid income taxes .........................        631       2,623
        Deferred income taxes .......................................      1,448       2,598
        Prepaid advertising and other ...............................      1,622       1,182
        Other current assets ........................................        304         476
                                                                        --------    --------
Total Current Assets ................................................     32,799      45,216
                                                                        --------    --------

Property and equipment, at cost:
        Furniture, fixtures and equipment ...........................      6,679       3,860
        Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization .............      2,124       1,258
                                                                        --------    --------
                                                                           4,555       2,602
                                                                        --------    --------

Other Assets:
        Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of
              $509 in 2000 and $367 in 1999 .........................      2,152       2,294
        Other intangibles, net ......................................     22,047      23,885
        Deferred income taxes .......................................      2,174          --
        Investment and equity in joint venture - net ................         --          51
        Other .......................................................        331         552
                                                                        --------    --------
                                                                          26,704      26,782
                                                                        --------    --------
Total Assets ........................................................   $ 64,058    $ 74,600
                                                                        ========    ========


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
    Revolving notes payable - banks .................................   $ 13,764    $ 16,874
    Litigation settlement ...........................................      4,000          --
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses ...........................      7,618       4,416
    Accounts payable - Redwood Shoe .................................      1,286         943
    Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligation ..      1,143          97
    Losses in excess of joint venture investment ....................      1,451          --
                                                                        --------    --------
Total current liabilities ...........................................     29,262      22,330
                                                                        --------    --------


Long-term liabilities and capital lease obligation ..................      1,848         271
Deferred income taxes ...............................................         --         150

Stockholders' Equity:
    Preferred and common stock to be issued .........................      6,000          --
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value - shares authorized 5,000;
             none issued or outstanding .............................         --          --
    Common stock, $.001 par value - shares authorized 30,000;
             shares issued 19,209 in 2000 and 18,525 in 1999 ........         19          18
    Additional paid-in capital ......................................     59,094      58,819
    Retained earnings (deficit) .....................................    (25,732)       (556)
    Less:  Treasury stock - at cost - 1,313 shares ..................     (6,433)     (6,432)
                                                                        --------    --------
Total Stockholders' Equity ..........................................     32,948      51,849
                                                                        --------    --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity ..........................   $ 64,058    $ 74,600
                                                                        ========    ========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-4



                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (in thousands, except earnings per share data)




                                                               Year ended January 31,
                                                        -----------------------------------
                                                          2000          1999        1998
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                         
Net revenues ........................................   $  90,796    $ 114,696    $  89,297
Cost of goods sold ..................................      74,347       88,427       67,314
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
Gross profit ........................................      16,449       26,269       21,983
Licensing income ....................................       2,951          373           84
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                           19,400       26,642       22,067

Selling, general and administrative expenses ........      31,260       25,856       17,178
Special charges .....................................       3,002         --           --
Litigation settlement, net ..........................       8,000         --           --
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------

Operating (loss) income .............................     (22,862)         786        4,889

Other expenses:
        Interest expense - net ......................       1,415        1,005        1,129
        Equity loss in joint venture ................       2,002          545         --
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                            3,417        1,550        1,129
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------

(Loss) income before income taxes ...................     (26,279)        (764)       3,760

Provision (benefit) for income taxes ................      (1,103)        (123)         355
                                                        ---------    ---------    ---------

Net (loss) income ...................................   $ (25,176)   $    (641)   $   3,405
                                                        =========    =========    =========
(Loss) earnings per share:
                              Basic .................   $   (1.41)   $    (.04)   $     .30
                                                        =========    =========    =========
                              Diluted ...............   $   (1.41)   $    (.04)   $     .25
                                                        =========    =========    =========

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

                              Basic .................      17,798       15,250       11,375
                                                        =========    =========    =========
                              Diluted ...............      17,798       15,250       13,788
                                                        =========    =========    =========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-5



                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                                 (in thousands)




                                                                           Preferred
                                                                           & Common    Additional  Retained
                                                          Common Stock     Stock to be Paid - In   Earnings    Treasury
                                                      Shares      Amount     Issued     Capital    (Deficit)    Stock        Total
                                                     --------    --------   --------   --------    --------    --------    --------

                                                                                                      
Balance at February 1, 1997 ......................      9,634    $      9   $     --   $ 11,919    $ (3,320)   $     --    $  8,608
   Exercise of stock options and
     warrants ....................................      2,800           3         --      9,510          --          --       9,513
   Retirement of escrow shares ...................        (20)         --         --         --          --          --          --
   Issuance of common stock to
     benefit plan ................................         11          --         --         56          --          --          56
   Tax benefit from pre-quasi
     reorganization carryforward
     losses ......................................         --          --         --      1,102          --          --       1,102
   Stock option compensation .....................         --          --         --         36          --          --          36
   Tax benefit from exercise of stock
     options .....................................         --          --         --        830          --          --         830
   Net income ....................................         --          --         --         --       3,405          --       3,405
                                                     --------    --------   --------   --------    --------    --------    --------
Balance at January 31, 1998 ......................     12,425          12         --     23,453          85          --      23,550
   Exercise of stock options and
     warrants ....................................      1,790           2         --      8,329          --          --       8,331
   Net effect of merger with New
     Retail Concepts, Inc. .......................      2,326           2         --     11,314          --      (6,061)      5,255
   Stock acquisition of Michael
     Caruso & Co., Inc. ..........................      1,968           2         --     15,248          --          --      15,250
   Issuance of common stock to
     benefit plan ................................         16          --         --         78          --          --          78
   Purchase of treasury shares ...................         --          --         --         --          --        (371)       (371)
   Stock option compensation .....................         --          --         --        102          --          --         102
   Tax benefit from exercise of stock
     options .....................................         --          --         --        295          --          --         295
   Net loss ......................................         --          --         --         --        (641)         --        (641)
                                                     --------    --------   --------   --------    --------    --------    --------
Balance at January 31, 1999 ......................     18,525          18         --     58,819        (556)     (6,432)     51,849
   Exercise of stock options and
     warrants ....................................         99          --         --        148          --          --         148
   Issuance of common stock to
     benefit plan ................................         37          --         --        128          --          --         128
   Preferred and common stock to be
     issued for litigation settlement ............         --          --      6,000         --          --          --       6,000
   Additional contingent shares
     issued for the Acquisition of
     Michael Caruso & Co., Inc. ..................        548           1         --         (1)         --          --          --
   Other .........................................         --          --         --         --          --          (1)         (1)
   Net loss ......................................         --          --         --         --     (25,176)         --     (25,176)
                                                     --------    --------   --------   --------    --------    --------    --------
Balance at January 31, 2000 ......................     19,209    $     19   $  6,000   $ 59,094    $(25,732)   $ (6,433)   $ 32,948
                                                     ========    ========   ========   ========    ========    ========    ========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-6



                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (in thousands)


                                                                                                   Year ended January 31,
                                                                                         2000              1999               1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net (loss) income ............................................................         $(25,176)         $   (641)         $  3,405
Items in net income not affecting cash:
      Depreciation of property and equipment .................................              877               547               244
      Amortization of intangibles ............................................            2,145             1,023               360
      Stock option compensation ..............................................             --                 102                36
      Equity loss in Joint Venture ...........................................            2,002               545              --
      Litigation settlement ..................................................            8,000              --                --
      Deferred income taxes ..................................................           (1,174)             (811)             (598)
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
              Accounts receivable ............................................               63            (1,488)              (68)
              Factoring receivables and payable, net .........................            7,104           (16,038)              319
              Inventories ....................................................            4,261            (1,367)          (12,413)
              Prepaid advertising and other ..................................             (139)             (418)             (305)
              Refundable and prepaid taxes ...................................            1,992            (2,480)              (65)
              Other assets ...................................................              221              (154)              262
              Accounts payable and accrued expenses ..........................            3,205              (835)               39
              Long-term liabilities ..........................................              (52)               (9)              (47)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ..........................            3,329           (22,024)           (8,831)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows used in investing activities:
       Purchases of property and equipment ...................................           (2,832)           (1,923)             (705)
       Investment in joint venture ...........................................             --                (500)             --
       Other .................................................................             (165)             (156)             --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities ........................................           (2,997)           (2,579)             (705)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
       Revolving notes payable bank ..........................................           (3,110)           16,874              --
       Proceeds from loans ...................................................            3,471              --                --
       Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants ..................              148             8,331             9,513
       Proceeds from long-term debt and capital lease obligation .............             (796)             --                --
       Purchase of treasury stock ............................................             --                (371)             --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ..........................             (287)           24,834             9,513
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .........................               45               231               (23)

       Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year ..........................              598               367               390
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Cash and cash equivalents, end of year ................................         $    643          $    598          $    367
===================================================================================================================================

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the year:
       Interest ..............................................................         $  1,452          $  1,013          $  1,131
                                                                                       ============================================
       Income taxes ..........................................................         $    163          $  2,859          $     89
                                                                                       ============================================

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing
activities:
                                                                                       ============================================
        Tax benefit from pre-quasi reorganization
            carryforward losses ..............................................         $   --            $   --            $  1,102
                                                                                       ============================================
        Preferred and common stock to be issued ..............................         $  6,000          $   --            $   --
                                                                                       ============================================
        Issuance of common stock to benefit plan .............................         $    128          $     78          $     56
                                                                                       ============================================
        Capital contribution - Unzipped ......................................         $    500          $   --            $   --
                                                                                       ============================================
        Tax benefit from exercise of stock options ...........................         $   --            $    295          $    830
                                                                                       ============================================
        Capital lease for property and equipment .............................         $   --            $    316          $   --
                                                                                       ============================================
        Merger and acquisition of businesses .................................         $   --            $ 15,250          $   --
                                                                                       ============================================
        Common stock issued for merger & acquisition - net
        of treasury stock acquired ...........................................         $   --            $  5,255          $   --
                                                                                       ============================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-7



                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
              Information as of and for the Years Ended January 31,
         2000 and 1999 (dollars are in thousands, except per share data)

The Company

The  history  of the  "CANDIE'S"  brand  spans  over 22  years  and  has  become
synonymous  with young,  fun and  fashionable,  footwear  marketed by innovative
advertising and celebrity spokespersons.  Candie's, Inc., which was incorporated
in Delaware in 1978,  and its  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the  "Company")  is
currently  engaged  primarily  in the design,  marketing,  and  distribution  of
moderately-priced  women's casual and fashion footwear under the CANDIE'S(R) and
BONGO(R)  trademarks  for  distribution  within the United States to department,
specialty,  chain and seven company-owned  retail stores and to specialty stores
internationally.  The Company markets and distributes, children's footwear under
the  CANDIE'S  and BONGO  trademarks,  as well as a variety of men's  workboots,
hiking boots, winter boots, and outdoor casual shoes designed and marketed under
private labels and the ASPEN(R)  brand,  which is licensed by the Company from a
third party through Bright Star Footwear,  Inc.  ("Bright Star"),  the Company's
wholly-owned  subsidiary.  In 1998,  the Company  began  licensing  its CANDIE'S
trademark for the purpose of building  CANDIE'S  into a lifestyle  brand serving
generation "Y" women and girls,  and it currently  holds licenses for fragrance,
eyewear, leg wear and handbags. Through Unzipped Apparel, LLC ("Unzipped"),  the
Company's  joint  venture  with Sweet  Sportswear  LLC  ("Sweet"),  the  Company
marketed  and  distributed  jeanswear  and apparel  under the CANDIE'S and BONGO
label to department, specialty, and chain stores in the United States.

The Company believes that it has developed CANDIE'S into a strong footwear brand
appealing  to women and girls in the  generation  "Y"  demographic.  As a growth
strategy, the Company plans to continue to focus on building market share in the
junior  footwear  area of  better  department  and  specialty  stores,  pursuing
licensing opportunities,  and expanding its consumer direct business through the
opening of retail stores and e-commerce.


1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Candie's, Inc. and
its wholly owned  subsidiaries.  All significant  intercompany  transactions and
items have been eliminated in  consolidation.  The Company's 50% equity interest
in Unzipped is accounted for under the equity method.

     Use of Estimates

The  preparation of the  consolidated  financial  statements in conformity  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at the  date of  financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period.  The Company reviews all significant  estimates  affecting the
financial  statements  on a  recurring  basis  and  records  the  effect  of any
adjustments when necessary.

     Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration  of credit risk is limited due to the large number of customers to
which the Company sells its products and the use of a factor to assign  invoices
for sales to its  customers.  For the fiscal year ended  January 31,  2000,  one
customer  accounted  for 10.2% of the  Company's  total net  revenues.  No other
customer in any of the years presented exceeded 10% of total revenues.

     Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with
a maturity date of three months or less.  Cash  equivalents  are stated at cost,
which approximate market value.

     Inventories

Inventories,  which consist  entirely of finished goods, are stated at the lower
of cost or net realizable value.  Cost is determined by the first-in,  first-out
("FIFO") method.


                                      F-8



     Property, Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation  and  amortization  are
determined  by the straight  line and  accelerated  methods  over the  estimated
useful  lives of the  respective  assets  ranging  from  three  to seven  years.
Leasehold  improvements are amortized by the straight-line  method over the term
of the related lease or estimated useful life, whichever is less.

     Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

When  circumstances  mandate,  the Company  evaluates the  recoverability of its
long-lived assets by comparing estimated future undiscounted cash flows with the
assets' carrying value to determine whether a write-down to market value,  based
on discounted  cash flow, is  necessary.  No impaired  losses have been recorded
through January 31, 2000.

     Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The net assets of  businesses  purchased are recorded at their fair value at the
acquisition  date.  Any  excess  of  acquisition  costs  over the fair  value of
identifiable  net assets  acquired is included in goodwill  and  amortized  on a
straight-line  basis over 20 years.  Trademarks and other intangible  assets are
recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated
lives of the assets, 4 to 20 years.

The CANDIE'S trademark is stated at cost in the amount of $5,952 and $5,830, net
of accumulated  amortization of $1,963 and $1,662, at January 31, 2000 and 1999,
respectively, as determined primarily by its fair value relative to other assets
and liabilities at February 28, 1993, the date of the quasi  reorganization.  In
connection with the quasi reorganization,  the Company's assets, liabilities and
capital accounts were adjusted to eliminate the stockholders' deficiency.

     Revenue Recognition

Revenue is  recognized  upon shipment with related risk and title passing to the
customers.  Estimates of losses for bad debts,  returns and other allowances are
recorded at the time of the sale.

     Taxes on Income

The Company uses the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes
under Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS ") No. 109 "Accounting
for Income  Taxes".  The Company  provides  deferred  income taxes for temporary
differences  that will result in taxable or  deductible  amounts in future years
based on the  reporting  of certain  costs in  different  periods for  financial
statement  and income tax  purposes.  Valuation  allowances  are  recorded  when
recoverability of the asset is not assured.

     Stock-Based Compensation

The Company  accounts  for stock option  grants in  accordance  with  Accounting
Principles  Board Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees,"
and,  accordingly,  recognizes  no  compensation  expense for the stock  options
granted when the exercise price of the option is the same as the market value of
the Company's  common stock. As prescribed  under SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock Based  Compensation,"  the Company has disclosed the pro-forma  effects on
net income and earnings per share of recording compensation expense for the fair
value of the options granted.

     Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company's financial  instruments  approximate fair value at January 31, 2000
and 1999.

     Foreign Currency Transactions

The Company  enters into forward  exchange  contracts to hedge foreign  currency
transactions and not to engage in currency  speculation.  The Company's  forward
exchange  contracts  do not  subject  the  Company  to risk from  exchange  rate
movements  because gains and losses on such  contracts  offset losses and gains,
respectively,  on the assets,  liabilities  or  transactions  being hedged.  The
forward  exchange  contracts  generally  require the  Company to  exchange  U.S.
dollars for foreign currencies.  If the counterparties to the exchange contracts
do not fulfill  their  obligations  to deliver the  contracted  currencies,  the
Company  could be at risk for any  currency  related  fluctuations.  The Company
limits  exposure  to  foreign  currency  fluctuations  in most  of its  purchase
commitments  through provisions that require vendor payments in U.S. dollars. As
of  January  31,  2000  and  1999,  there  were no  forward  exchange  contracts
outstanding.  Unrealized  gains and  losses are  deferred  and  included  in the
measurement  of the related  foreign  currency  transaction.  Gains or losses on
these contracts during Fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 were immaterial.


                                      F-9



     Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing
income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of
common shares  outstanding  for the period.  Diluted  earnings  (loss) per share
reflect,  in periods in which they have a dilutive effect,  the effect of common
shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants.

     Computer Software costs

Internal and external  direct and  incremental  costs  incurred in obtaining and
developing  computer  software for internal use are  capitalized in property and
equipment and  amortized,  under the  straight-line  method,  over the estimated
useful life of the software, over three years.

     Website costs

External  costs,   totaling   approximately  $400,  incurred  in  obtaining  and
developing the Company's website in fiscal 2000 were capitalized in property and
equipment and  amortized,  under the  straight-line  method,  over the estimated
useful life of the costs incurred, over three years.

     Advertising Campaign Costs

The Company records national advertising campaign costs as an expense concurrent
with the first showing of the related  advertising and other  advertising  costs
when incurred.  Advertising  expenses for the years ended January 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998 amounted to $7,091, $6,423, and $3,461, respectively.

     Licensing Revenue

The Company has entered into various trade name license  agreements that provide
revenues based on minimum royalties and additional  revenues based on percentage
of defined sales. Minimum royalty revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis
over each period, as defined, in each license agreement. Royalties exceeding the
defined minimum amounts are recognized as income during the period corresponding
to the licensee's sales.

     New Accounting Standards

In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities"  which requires
entities to recognize all  derivatives  as either assets or  liabilities  in the
statement of financial  position and measure  those  instruments  at fair value.
SFAS No.  133, as amended by SFAS No. 137,  is  effective  for all fiscal  years
beginning  after June 15, 2000. The Company is currently  reviewing SFAS No. 133
and is not yet able to fully evaluate the impact,  if any, it may have on future
operating results or financial statement disclosures.

On December 3, 1999 the SEC staff issued Staff  Accounting  Bulletin ("SAB") No.
101. SAB No. 101 provides  guidance on applying  generally  accepted  accounting
principles to selected revenue  recognition  issues. The SAB should not have any
material impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies in the future.

2.   Investment in Joint Venture

On October 7, 1998, the Company formed  Unzipped with its joint venture  partner
Sweet, the purpose of which was to market and distribute apparel under the BONGO
and  CANDIE'S  labels.  Candie's and Sweet each have a 50% interest in Unzipped.
Pursuant to the terms of the joint  venture,  the Company  licensed the CANDIE'S
and BONGO trademarks to Unzipped for use in the design,  manufacture and sale of
certain  designated  apparel  products.  The Company  believes  that Unzipped is
currently in breach of certain  provisions of the agreements  among the parties,
and has notified  Unzipped  that the Company does not intend to  contribute  any
additional  capital  toward the joint  venture.  The Company  believes  that its
exposure related to Unzipped,  should the joint venture dissolve,  is adequately
provided for.


                                      F-10



As of January 31, 2000 and 1999, approximately $2,547 and $545, respectively, of
the Company's retained deficit represented the Company's  proportionate share of
the Unzipped loss. Condensed financial information for Unzipped is as follows:



      Unzipped LLC                            January 31, 2000     January 31, 1999
      ------------                            ----------------     ----------------
                                                             
      Current assets, primarily inventory     $ 11,307             $  3,464
      Total assets                              11,556                3,568
      Liabilities                               14,458                3,466
      Equity
          Candie's                              (1,451)                  51
          Sweet                                 (1,451)                  51


                                              For the year ended   For the year ended
                                               January 31, 2000     January 31, 1999
                                               ----------------     ----------------
                                                             
     Net sales                                  $ 32,235           $  2,590
     Operating loss                               (3,973)            (1,080)
     Net loss                                     (4,003)            (1,090)



Pursuant to the terms of the  Operating  Agreement of  Unzipped,  on January 31,
2003, the Company must purchase from Sweet,  Sweet's entire interest in Unzipped
at the aggregate purchase price equal to 50% of 7.5 times EBITDA of Unzipped for
the fiscal year  commencing on February 1, 2002 and ending January 31, 2003. The
Company has the right, in its sole discretion,  to pay for such interest in cash
or shares of common  stock.  In the event the Company  elects to issue shares of
common stock to Sweet, Sweet shall receive registered shares of common stock and
the right to designate a member to the Board of Directors  for the Company until
the  earlier  to occur of (i) the sale of any of such  shares  or (ii) two years
from the date of closing of such purchase.

In October  1999,  the Company  made a non-cash  $500  capital  contribution  to
Unzipped  by  foregoing  affiliate  receivables  to satisfy its  obligation.  At
January 31, 2000 the affiliate receivable balance from Unzipped was $636.


3.   Other Intangibles, net

Intangibles, net consist of the following:
(In thousands, except for estimated lives which are stated in years)



                                                                    January 31,
                                                            ------------------------
                                             Estimated lives    2000        1999
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   
     Trademarks                                           20    $ 23,019    $ 22,854
     Non-compete agreement                                15       2,275       2,275
     Licenses                                              4       3,047       3,047
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  28,341      28,176

     Less accumulated amortization                                (6,294)     (4,291)
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $ 22,047    $ 23,885
     ===============================================================================



4.   Acquisitions

     Caruso

On September 24, 1998, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary,  acquired
all of the  outstanding  shares of Michael Caruso & Co., Inc.  ("Caruso").  As a
result of the  transaction,  the Company acquired the BONGO trademark as well as
certain other related trademarks and two license agreements for use of the BONGO
trademark,  one for  children's and one for large size  jeanswear.  Prior to the
closing of the  acquisition,  Caruso was the licensor of the BONGO trademark for
use on footwear products sold by the Company, which license was terminated as of
the closing.


                                      F-11



The purchase price for the shares acquired was  approximately  $15.4 million and
was paid at the closing in 1,967,742 shares of Candie's Common Stock (each share
being valued at $7.75), plus $100 in cash. On March 24, 1999, 547,722 additional
shares of Candie's Common Stock were delivered to the sellers upon the six month
anniversary  of the  closing  based on a  contingency  clause  in the  agreement
requiring an upward adjustment in the number of shares delivered at closing. The
issuance of the contingent consideration had no effect on the purchase price.

This transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.  The
results of  operations  of Caruso are  included  in the  accompanying  financial
statements  from  the  date  of   acquisition.   The  total  purchase  price  of
approximately  $15.6 million,  including  acquisition  expenses of approximately
$250, but excluding the contingency shares described above, resulted principally
in a purchase  price  allocation to the licenses  acquired of $2.7 million and a
trademark value of $11.8 million.

     NRC

The Company began to license the use of the CANDIE'S  trademark  from New Retail
Concepts,  Inc. ("NRC") in June 1991, and in March 1993,  purchased ownership of
the CANDIE'S trademark from NRC together with certain  pre-existing  licenses of
NRC, a then  publicly  traded  company  engaged  primarily in the  licensing and
sublicensing of fashion trademarks and a significant stockholder of the Company.
NRC's principal stockholder was also the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer.

Effective August 18, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), the Company completed a merger
with NRC (the "Merger").  Each issued and outstanding  share of NRC common stock
$.01 par value (the "NRC Common Stock"),  and each issued and outstanding option
to purchase one share of NRC Common  Stock,  prior to the  Effective  Date,  was
converted,  respectively,  into 0.405 shares of common stock, $.001 par value of
the Company (the "Candie's  Common  Stock"),  and into options to purchase 0.405
shares of Candie's Common Stock, respectively.

At the Effective  Date,  there were 5,743,639  outstanding  shares of NRC Common
Stock and  options  to  purchase  1,585,000  shares  of NRC  Common  Stock.  The
5,743,639  outstanding  shares were  converted to  2,326,174  shares of Candie's
Common Stock and the 1,585,000  options were  converted into options to purchase
641,925  shares of Candie's  Common Stock.  NRC also owned  1,227,696  shares of
Candie's  Common  Stock and had options and  warrants to purchase an  additional
800,000  shares of  Candie's  Common  Stock.  These  options and  warrants  were
extinguished upon consummation of the Merger.

This transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.  The
results  of  operations  of  NRC  are  included  in the  accompanying  financial
statements from the date of the Merger.

The cost of the  acquisition,  including  acquisition  expenses  of $700,  after
netting  the value of the  reacquired  Company  shares,  warrants  and  options,
totaled  approximately $5.6 million. This resulted principally in purchase price
allocation  to the  licenses  acquired  of $340  and a  trademark  value of $5.2
million.  Deferred  tax  liabilities  resulting  from this  transaction  totaled
approximately $2.1 million, which amount was recorded as goodwill.

The following summarized pro-forma condensed  consolidated financial information
are based on the assumption that the merger of NRC and the acquisition of Caruso
had been consummated as of February 1, 1997 as follows:

Pro-Forma Financial Information (unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------
                                                    1999         1998
                                                 ---------     -------
                                         (in thousands, except per-share data)

          Net revenues                           $ 114,696     $89,297
                                                 =========     =======
          Licensing income                       $     831     $   798
                                                 =========     =======
          Net income (loss)                      $    (682)    $ 2,736
                                                 =========     =======
          (Loss) earnings per share:
              Basic                               $ ( .04)     $   .19
                                                 =========     =======
              Diluted                             $ ( .04)     $   .16
                                                 =========     =======

     The  unaudited  pro-forma  financial  information  has  been  provided  for
     comparative purposes only and is not necessarily  indicative of the results
     of operations  that would have been achieved had the merger and acquisition
     been  consummated  at the  beginning  of the periods  presented,  nor is it
     necessarily indicative of future operations or the financial results of the
     combined companies.


                                      F-12



5.   Special Charges

The Company has incurred substantial  additional costs in evaluating various new
potential  borrowing  arrangements,  the  restatement of its fiscal 1998 and the
first three  quarters of fiscal 1999  financial  statements,  the  investigation
conducted by the Special  Committee  of the Board of Directors  and the costs of
defending the class action lawsuit and the SEC investigation.  During the period
ended  January 31, 2000,  the Company has incurred  approximately  $3 million in
special charges for professional fees and payments to financial institutions for
the above matters.


6.   Financing Agreement and Related Loan

     Current Revolving Credit Facility

On  October  28,  1999,  the  Company  entered  into a new two year $35  million
revolving line of credit (the "Line of Credit") with Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.
On November  23,  1999,  First Union  National  Bank  entered  into a co-lending
arrangement and became a participant in the Line of Credit.

Borrowings  under the Line of Credit are formula  based and  available up to the
maximum amount of the Line of Credit.  Borrowings  under the Line of Credit will
bear interest at 0.50% above the prime rate.  Certain borrowings in excess of an
availability  formula  will bear  interest  at 2.5%  above the prime  rate.  The
Company  will also pay an annual  facility  fee of 0.25% of the maximum  Line of
Credit. The Line of Credit also contains certain financial covenants  including,
minimum tangible net worth, certain specified ratios and other limitations.  The
Company has granted the lenders a security  interest in substantially all of its
assets.  The Company was in default of certain  covenants  of its Line of Credit
and has obtained a waiver that exempts the financial covenants unless there is a
further  deterioration of the Company's financial  condition.  In addition,  the
waiver  establishes the commitment that Rosenthal and the Company will establish
mutually agreeable financial covenants within a reasonable timeframe.

At January 31, 2000,  borrowings  under the Line of Credit totaled $13.8 million
which was secured  against  factored  receivables of $9.9 million and inventory.
Interest paid to Rosenthal  during  Fiscal 2000 was $0.3 million.  The borrowing
bore interest at 8.75%,  which rate is subject to an increase or decrease  based
on the conditions of the agreement as stated above.

At January 31, 2000, the Company had $208 of outstanding  letters of credit. The
Company's  letters of credit  availability  are  formula  based which takes into
account borrowings under the Line of Credit, as described above.

     Other Borrowing Arrangements

In May 1999,  the Company  entered  into a $3.5  million  master  lease and loan
agreement with OneSource  Financial Corp.. The agreement requires the Company to
collateralize  property  and  equipment  of $1.9  million,  with  the  remaining
agreement  balance  considered to be an unsecured loan. The agreement's  term is
for a period of four years at an effective  annual interest rate of 10.48%.  The
outstanding  loan balance as of January 31, 2000 was $2.8 million.  The interest
paid for Fiscal  2000 was $0.3  million.  The  quarterly  payment on the loan is
$260 including interest.

     Prior Revolving Credit Facility

In May 1998, the Company entered into a three year $35 million  revolving credit
facility (the "Facility"). During Fiscal 2000, the Company failed to comply with
certain  covenants  of the  Facility  and the  Facility  was repaid in full with
proceeds from the Line of Credit in October 1999.


                                      F-13



7.   Stockholders' Equity

     Warrants

The following  schedule  represents  warrants  activities during the three years
ended January 31, 2000:



                                                     Underwriter's  Class (A)    Class (B)     Class (C)        NRC         Other
                                                      Warran4ts(1)   Warrants    Warrants(2)   Warrants(2)    Warrants(3)   Warrants
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          
Warrants outstanding at January 31, 1997 ........      857,532        54,397     1,475,000     1,475,000       700,000      75,000
Warrants exercised (1) ..........................     (650,461)           --    (1,431,100)      (21,000)           --     (50,000)
Warrants expired or cancelled ...................           --       (54,397)      (43,900)           --            --     (25,000)
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants outstanding at January 31, 1998 ........      207,071            --            --     1,454,000       700,000          --
Warrants exercised (1) ..........................     (207,071)           --            --    (1,431,405)           --          --
Warrants expired or cancelled ...................           --            --            --       (22,595)     (700,000)         --
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants outstanding at January 31, 2000 and 1999           --            --            --            --            --          --
                                                     ==============================================================================


(1)  Underwriter's  warrants  consist of 69,024  units at an  exercise  price of
     $3.19 per unit entitling the holder to one share of common stock, one Class
     B warrant and one Class C warrant. The shares reserved represent the number
     of shares  issuable upon the exercise of the  underwriter  warrants and the
     attached  Class B and C warrants.  During the year ended  January 31, 1999,
     all 69,024 units  (representing  a total of 207,071 shares of common stock)
     were exercised aggregating $844. In connection with an October 1994 private
     placement,  the Company  issued  additional  warrants  to purchase  370,175
     shares at an  exercise  price of $1.15 per  share,  of which  163,557  were
     exercised during the year ended January 31, 1998.

(2)  In  connection  with a secondary  offering,  the Company  issued  1,475,000
     shares of common stock, 1,475,000 Class B redeemable warrants and 1,475,000
     Class C redeemable warrants to each registered holder. Each Class B warrant
     entitled  the holder  thereof to  purchase  one share of common  stock at a
     price of $4.00 and each  Class C warrant  entitled  the  holder  thereof to
     purchase  one share of common  stock at a price of  $5.00.  These  warrants
     expired on February 23, 1998. The Company  realized  $5,687 net of expenses
     during the fiscal year ended  January 31, 1998,  related to the exercise of
     these warrants.  The remaining  43,900 warrants were not exercised and were
     canceled.  During the year ended January 31, 1998,  21,000 Class C Warrants
     were exercised  aggregating  $105. During the fiscal year ended January 31,
     1999,  1,431,405 Class C warrants were exercised  aggregating  $7,157.  The
     remaining 22,595 warrants expired.

(3)  On February 1, 1995, in consideration of loans extended to the Company, NRC
     was  granted  warrants  to acquire up to  700,000  shares of the  Company's
     common stock at an exercise price of $1.24 per share.  The warrants  expire
     five  years  from  their  date of  grant.  Upon the  merger of NRC with the
     Company these warrants were extinguished.

     Stock Options

The Company has elected to follow  Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related  interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options  because,  as discussed  below, the
alternative  fair value  accounting  provided for under SFAS  Statement No. 123,
"Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,"  requires use of option  valuation
models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options.  Under
APB 25,  because the exercise  price of the  Company's  employee  stock  options
equals  the  market  price of the  underlying  stock on the  date of  grant,  no
compensation  expense is recognized.  Effects of applying SFAS 123 for providing
pro forma  disclosures  are not likely to be  representative  of the  effects on
reported net income for future years.

Pro forma  information  regarding  net (loss)  income and  earnings per share is
required by SFAS 123, and has been  determined  as if the Company had  accounted
for its employee  stock options  under the fair value method of that  Statement.
The fair value for these  options  was  estimated  at the date of grant  using a
Black-Scholes   option-pricing   model  with  the   following   weighted-average
assumptions:



                                                                        January 31,
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                              2000               1999             1998
                                                            -------------------------------------------------

                                                                                       
Expected Volatility ....................................          .468        .618-.940         .759-.812
Expected Dividend Yield ................................          0%               0%                0%
Expected Life (Term) ...................................      3-7 years        3-7 years         1-3 years
Risk-Free Interest Rate ................................      4.91-6.21%       3.60-9.56%        5.25-6.61%



                                      F-14



The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions  and are fully
transferable.  In addition,  option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective  assumptions  including the expected stock price volatility.  Because
the  Company's  employee  stock  options  have   characteristics   significantly
different from those of traded  options,  and because  changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion,  the  existing  models do not  necessarily  provide a  reliable  single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the option is
expensed  when the  option's are vested.  The  Company's  pro forma  information
follows:



                                                         January 31,
                                            -------------------------------------
                                                2000          1999          1998
                                            -------------------------------------
                                                              
Pro forma net (loss) income .............   $  (25,773)   $   (3,410)  $    2,471

Pro forma (loss) earnings per share:
     Basic ..............................   $    (1.45)   $     (.22)  $      .22

     Diluted ............................   $    (1.45)   $     (.22)  $      .18


The weighted-average  fair value of options granted (at their grant date) during
the years ended  January  31,  2000,  1999 and 1998 was $0.46,  $1.91 and $2.20,
respectively.

In  1989,  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  adopted,  and its  stockholders
approved, the Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Plan"). The 1989 Plan,
as amended  in 1990,  provides  for the  granting  of  incentive  stock  options
("ISO's") and limited stock appreciation rights ("Limited Rights"),  covering up
to 222,222 shares of common stock. The 1989 Plan terminated on August 1, 1999.

Under the 1989 Plan,  ISO's were to be granted at not less than the market price
of the  Company's  common  stock on the date of the  grant.  Stock  options  not
covered by the ISO provisions of the 1989 Plan  ("Non-Qualifying  Stock Options"
or "NQSO's") were granted at prices determined by the Board of Directors.  Under
the 1989 Plan 85,800,  120,300 and 126,800 of ISO's as of January 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998, respectively, were outstanding.

On September 4, 1997,  the Company's  stockholders  approved the Company's  1997
Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan").  The 1997 Plan  authorizes  the granting of
common stock options to purchase up to 3,500,000 shares of Company common stock.
All employees,  directors,  independent agents, consultants and attorneys of the
Company,  including  those of the  Company's  subsidiaries,  are  eligible to be
granted  NQSO's  under the 1997 Plan.  ISO's may be granted only to employees of
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company. The 1997 Plan terminates in 2007.

Additionally,  at January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998,  NQSO's  covering  2,907,500,
2,763,000, and 3,298,500 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding,
which are not part of either the 1989 or 1997 Plans.

The options that were granted under the 1989 and 1997 Plans expire  between five
and ten years from the date of grant.

On November 4, 1999, the Company  granted 400,000 NQSO's at an exercise price of
$1.50 per share, to its Chief  Executive  Officer to replace 400,000 NQSO's with
an exercise price of $1.50 that expired August 1, 1999 and granted 10,000 NQSO's
at an exercise price of $1.25 and simultaneously cancelled 10,000 NQSO's with an
exercise price of $1.25 that were to expire on December 20, 1999.  These options
were at or above the stocks fair value at the date of the grant and,  therefore,
did not result in any  compensation  expense.  On January 15, 1998,  the Company
granted  400,000  NQSO's at an exercise  price of $5.00 per share,  to its Chief
Executive Officer and  simultaneously  cancelled 400,000 NQSO's with an exercise
price of $5.00 that were to expire February 23, 1998.

On September 4, 1997, the Company  granted its Executive Vice  President,  Chief
Operating  Officer  100,000  ISO's at an  exercise  price of $5.50 per share and
simultaneously  cancelled  41,700 NQSO's at an exercise price of $3.00 that were
to expire April 15, 1998.



                                      F-15



A summary of the Company's stock option  activity,  and related  information for
the years ended 2000, 1999 and 1998 follows:



                                                                                         Weighted-Average
                                                                       Shares             Exercise Price
                                                                   --------------------------------------
                                                                                       
Outstanding January 31, 1997...........................               4,215,611              $  2.23
Granted................................................               1,002,500              $  5.48
Canceled...............................................                (517,922)             $  4.55
Exercised..............................................                (647,889)             $  2.33
                                                                   ------------
Outstanding January 31, 1998...........................               4,052,300              $  2.72
Granted................................................               2,519,925              $  3.24
Canceled...............................................                (175,000)             $  2.60
Exercised..............................................                (162,000)             $  2.34
Expired................................................                (220,000)             $  2.68
                                                                   ------------
Outstanding January 31, 1999...........................               6,015,225              $  2.78
Granted................................................               1,567,250              $  1.54
Canceled...............................................                (363,250)             $  3.52
Exercised..............................................                 (99,675)             $  0.99
Expired................................................                (771,125)             $  1.70
                                                                   ------------
Outstanding January 31, 2000...........................               6,348,425              $  2.59
                                                                   ============


At January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, exercisable stock options totaled 5,356,257,
4,877,475 and 3,456,967 and had weighted average exercise prices of $2.58, $2.53
and $2.43, respectively.

On December 11, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors  authorized the repricing
of 2,626,750 options at $3.50. These options, which had original exercise prices
ranging  from $3.88 to $7.44,  retained  all of the  original  terms and vesting
rights from their respective grant date.

Options outstanding and exercisable at January 31, 2000 were as follows:



                            Options Outstanding                                        Options Exercisable
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                 Weighted         Weighted                          Weighted
          Range of                Number     Average Remaining     Average           Number          Average
       Exercise Prices          Outstanding  Contractual Life   Exercise Price     Exercisable   Exercise Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------
                                                                                      
$0.24-0.87.................       267,375          5.38            $ 0.81            217,375         $ 0.81
$1.15-1.50.................     1,708,500          8.91            $ 1.25          1,263,000         $ 1.28
$1.51-2.50.................     1,466,500          1.86            $ 2.04          1,466,500         $ 2.04
$2.51-3.50.................     2,656,050          6.72            $ 3.46          2,216,882         $ 3.47
$3.51-5.00.................        40,000          2.30            $ 4.49             40,000         $ 4.49
$5.01-12.00................       210,000          3.95            $ 8.09            152,500         $ 7.66
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------       ----------------------------
                                6,348,425          5.48            $ 2.59          5,356,257         $ 2.58
============================================================================       ============================


At January 31,  2000,  3,413,000  common  shares were  reserved  for issuance on
exercise of stock options under the 1997 Stock Option Plan.

     Stockholder Rights Plan

In January 2000, the Company's Board of Directors  adopted a stockholder  rights
plan.  Under the plan,  each  stockholder  of Candies  Common  Stock  received a
dividend of one right for each share of the Company's  outstanding common stock,
entitling  the holder to purchase one  thousandth  of a share of Series A Junior
Participating  Preferred Stock, par value, $0.01 per share of the Company, at an
initial  exercise price of $6.00.  The rights become  exercisable and will trade
separately  from the Candies  Common Stock ten business days after any person or
group  acquires 15% or more of the Candies  Common  Stock,  or ten business days
after  any  person  or group  announces  a tender  offer  for 15% or more of the
outstanding Candies Common Stock.

     Stock Repurchase Program

On  September  15,  1998,  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  authorized  the
repurchase  of up to two million  shares of the Company's  common  stock.  As of
October 31, 1998,  85,200  shares were  repurchased  in the open  market,  at an
aggregate cost of approximately $371. No additional shares have been repurchased
since October 31, 1998. The Company intends,  subject to certain conditions,  to
buy shares on the open market from time-to-time, depending on market conditions.


                                      F-16



     Preferred and Common Stock to be Issued

See  Note 9 for the  related  terms  of the  preferred  stock  to be  issued  in
connection with the Litigation settlement.


8.   Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following is a  reconciliation  of the shares used in calculating  basic and
diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands):



                                                                                  January 31,
                                                                    --------------------------------------
                                                                      2000            1999            1998
                                                                    --------------------------------------
                                                                                           
     Basic                                                          17,798          15,250          11,375

     Effect of assumed conversions of employee stock options
        and warrants                                                    --              --           2,413
                                                                    --------------------------------------

     Denominator for diluted earnings per share                     17,798          15,250          13,788
                                                                    ======================================


Included in the calculation of the number of shares is the equivalent  number of
common shares to be issued in connection  with the  Litigation  Settlement  (see
Note 9). The  diluted  weighted  average  number of shares  does not include any
outstanding options because they were antidilutive.

The Company has granted  75,000  stock  options to a related  party,  which vest
based upon the achievement of certain targeted  criteria.  These shares have not
been included in the  computation of diluted  earnings per share as the targeted
criteria has not been met and the exercise  price exceeded the market price and,
therefore, the effect would have been antidilutive.


9.   Commitments and Contingencies

     Several  lawsuits  have recently been filed against the Company and certain
of its current and former  officers and directors in the United States  District
Court for the Southern  District of New York. There can be no assurance that the
Company will successfully defend these lawsuits.

     On May 17, 1999, a purported  stockholder  class action complaint was filed
in the United  States  District  Court for the  Southern  District  of New York,
against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors
which  together with certain  other  complaints  subsequently  filed in the same
court alleging similar violations were consolidated in one lawsuit, Willow Creek
Capital Partners, L.P., v. Candie's, Inc. A consolidated complaint was served on
the Company on or about August 24, 1999.  The  consolidated  complaint  includes
claims under  sections 11, 12 and 15 of the  Securities Act of 1933 and sections
10(b) and 20(a)  and Rule  10b-5 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934.  The
consolidated  complaint  is  brought  on  behalf  of all  persons  who  acquired
securities  of the Company  between May 28, 1997 and May 12,  1999,  and alleges
that the  plaintiffs  were  damaged  by reason of the  Company's  having  issued
materially  false and  misleading  financial  statements for Fiscal 1998 and the
first three  quarters of Fiscal 1999,  which caused the Company's  securities to
trade at artificially inflated prices.

     On or about  January  31,  2000,  the  Company  entered  into a  settlement
agreement  with  plaintiffs  (the  "Settlement  Agreement")  to settle the class
action for total consideration of $10 million, payable in a combination of cash,
Candies Common Stock and convertible  preferred  stock (the "Preferred  Stock").
The Settlement Agreement provides that on or about May 1, 2000, the Company will
pay to  plaintiffs  $3 million in cash,  and issue  Candies  Common Stock with a
value of $2 million.  The Company will pay the Class an additional $1 million on
or before October 1, 2000.  The remaining $4 million owed to plaintiffs  will be
in the form of Preferred Stock,  which will convert to Candies Common Stock at a
rate of ten to one based on the price of the Candies  Common  Stock on the first
and second  anniversary of the date of the approval of the Settlement  Agreement
by the Court. The Court has  preliminarily  approved the settlement and directed
the mailing and  publication  of a notice of the  settlement.  It is anticipated
that the Court will  conduct a hearing on the final  approval of the  Settlement
Agreement in or about July 2000.  It is highly  unlikely that the Court will not
approve the Settlement;  accordingly, the settlement terms, including the shares
of Common and Preferred Stock to be issued, have been recorded as of January 31,
2000.  The  Company  received  $2 million  from its  insurance  company for this
matter,  which  proceeds  have been placed in escrow and can only be used to pay
the cash portion of the settlement. The cash received from the insurance company
has been classified as Restricted cash in the accompanying balance sheet.

     On August 4, 1999,  the staff of the SEC advised  the  Company  that it had
commenced a formal  investigation  into the actions of the Company and others in
connection with, among other things, the accounting issues that have been raised
and that were the subject of the investigation of the Special Committee.


                                      F-17



     The  Company is also a party to certain  litigation  incurred in the normal
course of business.  While any  litigation  has an element of  uncertainty,  the
Company believes that the final outcome of any of these routine matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's  financial position or future liquidity.
Except as set forth above,  the Company knows of no material legal  proceedings,
pending or threatened,  or judgments entered, against any director or officer of
the Company in his capacity as such.


10.  Related Party Transactions

On April 3, 1996,  the Company  entered  into an  agreement  with  Redwood  Shoe
("Redwood"),  a principal buying agent of footwear products,  to satisfy in full
certain trade payables (the "Payables")  amounting to $1,680. Under the terms of
the agreement,  the Company (i) issued  1,050,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock;  (ii) issued an option to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company's  Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.75 which was immediately  exercisable and has a
five year life;  and (iii) made a cash  payment of $50.  The  Company  purchased
approximately $38 million, $68 million, and $48 million in 2000, 1999, and 1998,
respectively,  of footwear  products through  Redwood.  At January 31, 2000, the
Company  had  approximately  $13.8  million of open  purchase  commitments  with
Redwood.  At  January  31,  2000  and  1999,  the  payable  to  Redwood  totaled
approximately $1,286 and $943, respectively.


11.  Operating Leases

Future net minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating lease agreements
as of January 31, 2000 are as follows:

        2001.................                    $  1,039
        2002.................                       1,022
        2003.................                         978
        2004.................                         814
        2005.................                         748
        Thereafter...........                       1,332
                                                 --------
        Totals...............                    $  5,933
                                                 ========

Rent expense was  approximately  $946, $691 and $337 for the years ended January
31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.


12.  Benefit and Incentive Compensation Plans and Other

The Company sponsors a 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan") which covers all
eligible   full-time   employees.   Participants   may  elect  to  make   pretax
contributions  subject to applicable limits. At its discretion,  the Company may
contribute   additional   amounts  to  the  Savings   Plan.   The  Company  made
contributions  of $112,  $134 and $80 to the  Savings  Plan for the years  ended
January 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

The Company  has  certain  incentive  compensation  arrangements  with its Chief
Executive   Officer  pursuant  to  his  employment   agreement.   The  incentive
compensation aggregates 5% of pre-tax earnings, as defined.


13.  Income Taxes

At January 31, 2000, the Company had net operating losses of approximately $19.8
million for income tax  purposes,  which expire in the years 2007 through  2020.
Due to the issuance of common stock on February 23, 1993, an "ownership change,"
as defined in Section 382 of the Internal  Revenue Code,  occurred.  Section 382
restricts the use of the Company's net  operating  loss  carryforwards  incurred
prior to the ownership  change to $275 per year.  Approximately  $2.5 million of
the  operating  loss   carryforwards   are  subject  to  this   restriction  and
accordingly,  no accounting  recognition  has been given to  approximately  $1.8
million  of  operating   losses  since  present   restrictions   preclude  their
utilization. During Fiscal 1999, the Company merged with NRC and was entitled to
another $2.4 million of operating losses incurred by NRC. These operating losses
are also subject to restriction and only $327 can be carried forward each year.

After the date of the pre-quasi reorganization the tax benefits of net operating
loss carryforwards  incurred prior to the  reorganization,  has been treated for
financial  statement purposes as direct additions to additional paid-in capital.
For Fiscal  1998,  the Company  utilized  $149 of pre-quasi  reorganization  net
operating loss carryforwards.  The related tax benefit $56, at January 31, 1998,
had been recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital.  Additionally,
as of January 31, 1998,  the Company  eliminated  its  valuation  allowance  for
deferred tax assets by approximately $2.4 million, increasing paid-in capital by
approximately   $1  million  and   benefiting   the  income  tax   provision  by
approximately  $1.4  million.  In the year ended  January 31, 2000,  the Company
recorded  a  valuation  allowance  for  deferred


                                      F-18



tax assets of $9.3 million  representing that portion of the deferred tax assets
that can not be reasonably  determined to be recoverable from estimated earnings
over the next few years.

The income tax  provision  (benefit)  for Federal and state  income taxes in the
consolidated statements of income consists of the following:



                                                                                                        January 31,
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      2000               1999                1998
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
Current:
Federal ................................................................           $    (48)           $    406            $    747
State ..................................................................                119                 282                 206
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
Total current ..........................................................                 71                 688                 953
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------

Deferred:
Federal ................................................................               (838)               (675)               (728)
State ..................................................................               (336)               (136)                130
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
Total deferred .........................................................             (1,174)               (811)               (598)
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------

Total provision (benefit) ..............................................           $ (1,103)           $   (123)           $    355
                                                                                   ================================================


The following  summary  reconciles income tax provision at the Federal statutory
rate with the actual provision (benefit):
                                                                                                      January 31,
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      2000               1999                1998
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
Income taxes (benefit) at statutory rate ...............................           $ (8,935)           $   (260)           $  1,278
Non-deductible amortization ............................................                193                 153                 122
Change in valuation allowance of deferred tax assets ...................              9,257                  --              (1,347)
State provision, net of federal income tax benefit .....................             (1,906)                 99                 213
Adjustment for estimate of prior year taxes ............................                235                (138)                 70
Other ..................................................................                 53                  23                  19
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------------
Total income tax provision (benefit) ...................................           $ (1,103)           $   (123)           $    355
                                                                                   ================================================


The significant  components of net deferred tax assets of the Company consist of
the following:
                                                                                           January 31,
                                                                                   -----------------------------
                                                                                      2000               1999
                                                                                   -----------------------------
                                                                                                 
Compensation expense ...................................................           $     96            $     96
Alternative minimum taxes ..............................................                 96                 126
Inventory valuation ....................................................                964                 643
Litigation settlement ..................................................              3,344                  --
Net operating loss carryforwards .......................................              8,294               2,158
Accounts and factoring receivable valuation ............................              2,016               1,475
Depreciation ...........................................................                112                  96
Other ..................................................................                 74                 288
                                                                                   -----------------------------
Total net deferred tax assets ..........................................             14,996               4,882
Valuation allowance ....................................................             (9,257)                 --
                                                                                   -----------------------------
Total deferred tax assets ..............................................              5,739               4,882

Trademarks and licenses ................................................             (1,952)             (2,269)
Other deferred tax liabilities .........................................               (165)               (165)
                                                                                   -----------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities .........................................             (2,117)             (2,434)
                                                                                   -----------------------------
Total net deferred tax assets ..........................................           $  3,622            $  2,448
                                                                                   =============================



                                      F-19



14.  Segment Information

Effective  February  1, 1998,  the  Company  adopted  the  Financial  Accounting
Standards  Board's  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  No.  131,
Disclosures  about  Segments of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information  ("SFAS
131").  SFAS  131  establishes  standards  for  the  way  that  public  business
enterprises  report  information  about operating  segments in annual  financial
statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about
operating  segments  in interim  financial  reports.  SFAS 131 also  establishes
standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas,
and  major  customers.  The  adoption  of SFAS  131 did not  affect  results  of
operations or financial position.

The Company has one reportable  segment that is engaged in the  manufacture  and
marketing of branded  footwear,  including  casual shoes and boots to the retail
sector.  Revenues of this segment are derived from the sale of branded  footwear
products to external  customers  and the  Company's  retail  division as well as
royalty income from the licensing of the Company's trademarks and brand names to
licensees.   The  business  units   comprising  the  branded   footwear  segment
manufacture  or source,  market and  distribute  products  in a similar  manner.
Branded footwear is distributed  through wholesale  channels and under licensing
and distributor arrangements.






                                      F-20



               REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


Candies, Inc.
Purchase, New York

The audits  referred  to in our report  dated  April 20,  2000,  relating to the
consolidated financial statements of Candie's,  Inc. and Subsidiaries,  which is
contained  in Item 8 of the Form  10-K  included  the  audits  of the  financial
statement  schedule listed in the accompanying index for each of the three years
in the period ended January 31, 2000. This financial  statement  schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the financial statement schedule based upon our audits.

In our opinion the financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.





/s/: BDO Seidman, LLP
- ---------------------
BDO Seidman, LLP



April 20, 2000
New York, New York


                                      S-1



                 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                         Candie's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                                 (In thousands)




                        Column A                              Column B       Column C     Column D (a)     Column E
- ---------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                             Additions
                                                             Balance at     Charged to                    Balance at
                                                            Beginning of     Costs and                      End of
Description                                                    Period        Expenses      Deductions       Period
- ---------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                                
Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:

Year ended January 31, 2000:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts                        $   950          $ 2,042        $     --        $ 2,992

                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======
Allowance for chargebacks                                   $ 2,579          $ 8,294        $  9,043        $ 1,830
                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======

Year ended January 31, 1999:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts                        $    27          $   993        $     70        $   950
                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======
Allowance for chargebacks                                   $ 1,731          $14,104        $ 13,256        $ 2,579
                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======

Year ended January 31, 1998:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts                        $    34          $   183        $    190        $    27
                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======
Allowance for chargebacks                                   $   350          $ 8,049        $  6,668        $ 1,731
                                                            =======          =======        ========        =======



(a) Uncollectible receivables charged against the allowance provided.



                                      S-2