The Gores Group on Wednesday said it has made an investment in Big Strike Inc., a Gardena company that designs and manufactures women’s apparel.

Big Strike would be the first apparel investment for Los Angeles billionaire Alec Gores’ investment company, which did not disclose terms of the deal. The company’s products are marketed under the brand names Heart Soul, Soulmates, Free to Love, Halo and the recently acquired Tracy Evans labels. The clothing is sold in JC Penney, Dillards, Kohl’s and other mid-range department stores.

In connection with the deal, industry veteran Paula Schneider was appointed chief executive. Schneider has been president of Warnaco’s Swimwear brands such as Speedo, president of Laundry by Shelli Segal, a former division of Liz Claiborne; and president of sales at BCBG Max Azria.

“Big Strike is a great company, with terrific product lines, and strong relationships with many of the best retailers in the industry,” Jeff Schwartz, Gores Group managing director, said in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with Big Strike’s current management team, and founders Lars Viklund, Jodi Sundberg, and Kevin Talbot, to realize the full potential of the business.”