Young luck. (Up Front).

LUCKY Brand Dungarees has started to target the very young.

The L.A. manufacturer and retailer of denim jeans, sportswear and activewear signed a licensing agreement with New York manufacturer Haddad Apparel Group to put the Lucky trademark on an extensive line of kids wear -- from pacifiers to lunch bags.

This is the fifth licensing agreement the clothing company has signed in recent months. It already has agreements for fragrances, leather, swimwear and socks to be made under the Lucky Brand name.

The kids line will include boys and girls sportswear, activewear, bodywear, swimwear, outerwear, underwear and accessories such as hats, bags, backpacks, lunch bags, bottles, and pacifiers. All the items will debut in stores this fall.

Lucky has been on a licensing spree ever since 85 percent of the company was acquired by Liz Claiborne Inc. in 1999.

"We have always had an interest in licensing, but I think we had to wait until we had size and a brand recognition. And right now we're are at that point," said Trent Merrill, Lucky Brand's executive vice president.

Licensing deals have been a popular way for clothing manufacturers to make more money off their names. Sportswear brand Mossimo was rescued from bankruptcy a few years ago with a three-year $1-billion licensing deal with Target Corp. Cherokee Inc., based in Van Nuys, used to manufacture clothing under its own name but now makes money by managing more than 20 licensing agreements, including the Mossimo name.

Lucky Brand Dungarees is looking for other licensing partners for such items as watches, shoes, outerwear and accessories.