EXHIBIT 99.1




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IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            MEDIA CONTACT:
                                             Hope Johnson
                                             607-377-8258
                                             johnsonhe@worldkitchen.com
                                             --------------------------


              WORLD KITCHEN TO SELL OXO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TO
                    HELEN OF TROY IN $275 MILLION TRANSACTION

Sale Will Enhance World Kitchen's Long-Term Competitiveness and Profitability by
    Dramatically Reducing Debt and Allowing Sharpened Focus on Its Portfolio of
                                 Leading Brands


     RESTON, VA, APRIL 30, 2004 - WKI Holding Company, Inc. (World Kitchen),

which operates principally through its subsidiary World Kitchen, Inc., today

announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its OXO International

business to Helen of Troy Ltd. (Nasdaq: HELE) for $275 million in cash.  With

offices in New York City, OXO develops and markets a wide range of innovative

consumer products under brand names such as OXO(R) and Good Grips(R).


     The sale of OXO reflects World Kitchen management's efforts to sharpen the

company's focus on its portfolio of globally recognized brands - Corelle(R),

Pyrex(R), CorningWare(R), Baker's Secret(R), Chicago Cutlery(R), EKCO(R),

Revere(R) and OLFA(R).  The proceeds of the transaction will be used to

dramatically reduce debt, which will significantly lower annual interest

payments and enable World Kitchen to accelerate investment in its brands.


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World Kitchen - 2


     James A. Sharman, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Kitchen,

said: "Our outstanding brands are the foundation of our future success and we

will continue to take bold steps to improve their performance and strengthen our

balance sheet.  OXO has been a strong contributor over the years, but it has

limited synergies with our other brands.  With this sale, we'll maximize our

return and meaningfully reduce our debt.  OXO has a bright future with Helen of

Troy and we wish Alex Lee and the entire OXO team continued success."

     Terry R. Peets, Chairman of World Kitchen, said: "World Kitchen's Board of

Directors and management team share the same strategic vision: enhancing the

company's value by strongly investing in our world-recognized brands.  We look

forward to the financial and operational benefits this sale will help us to

achieve."

     Alex Lee, President of OXO, and other members of OXO's senior management

team are expected to continue in their positions under Helen of Troy's

ownership.

     Completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the second

quarter of 2004, is subject to approval of World Kitchen's senior lenders,

consummation of Helen of Troy's bank financing and other usual and customary

closing conditions.

     Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein LLC advised World Kitchen in connection with

the sale of OXO.


ABOUT WORLD KITCHEN, INC.
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, World Kitchen and its affiliates manufacture
and market glass, glass ceramic and metal cookware, bakeware, tabletop products
and cutlery sold under well-known brands including CorningWare(R), Pyrex(R),
Corelle(R), Revere(R), EKCO(R), Baker's Secret(R), Magnalite(R), Chicago
Cutlery(R), OLFA(R) and OXO(R).  The Company employs approximately 2,900 people,
and has major manufacturing and distribution operations in the


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United States, Canada and Asia-Pacific regions.  For more information, visit
www.worldkitchen.com.
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