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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                   SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

          This Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement
(this "Agreement") is made as of November 1, 1993 between Frederick J. Rowan, II
("Executive") and The William Carter Company, a Massachusetts corporation. Upon
its execution and delivery by the parties hereto, this Agreement amends and
restates in its entirety the Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement made
April 28, 1992 between Executive and the Company (the "Prior Agreement").

          This Agreement is being effected simultaneously with an amendment to
the employment agreement dated as of April 28, 1992 among Carter Holdings Corp.,
a Massachusetts corporation ("Holdings"), the Company, and Executive (as
amended, the "Employment Agreement"). Certain capitalized terms used in this
Agreement are defined in paragraph 24 hereof.

          The parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement is deemed to be effective as of
April 1, 1992 (the "Effective Date").

          2.   AMOUNT OF BASIC BENEFIT. Executive's accrued benefit pursuant to
this Agreement shall be (a) plus (b) minus (c), where (a), (b) and (c) are as
follows:

          (a)  28.75 percent of Executive's "average annual salary" (as defined
below) up to "covered compensation" (as defined below);

          (b)  45 percent of Executive's average annual salary in excess of
covered compensation; and

          (c)  all other qualified and non-qualified retirement benefits payable
to or with respect to Executive under any plan, program, policy or arrangement
of Holdings or the Company (whether heretofore or hereafter established),
estimated Primary Social Security benefits (as defined below), and all qualified
and non-qualified retirement benefits payable to or with respect to Executive
under any plan, program, policy or arrangement of any former employer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's benefits pursuant to this Agreement
shall not be reduced by his benefits, if any, under the Company's Retirement
Savings Plan, the VF Corporation Tax-Advantaged Savings Plan, or any other
similar savings or thrift plan of Holdings, the Company, VF Corporation or any
other

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former employer. At the Company's request, the Executive shall provide the
Company in writing with a true, complete and accurate accounting of all benefits
cdescribed in subparagraph (c) of this paragraph 2 to which he is then entitled
or is reasonably expected to be entitled in the future on account of his prior
employment with any former employer.

          3.   AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY. For purposes of computing the Executive's
benefits hereunder, his "average annual salary" shall mean the average of his
annual Base Salary plus annual awards to the Executive under the Company's
Annual Incentive Plan from the Company for the 36 consecutive calendar months
during which his compensation is the highest in the 60-calendar month period
ending on the date his employment with the Company terminates (or, if employed
by the Company for fewer than 60 months, the average for the 36 consecutive
calendar months during which his compensation is the highest in his full period
of employment with the Company). If the Executive's period of employment with
the Company is less than 36 months, Executive's average annual salary shall be
based on his full period of employment with the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, average annual salary
shall include amounts, if any, the Executive elects to defer as salary deferral
contributions to the Company's Retirement Savings Plan but shall exclude:

          (a)  severance pay;

          (b)  any noncash compensation, including any amounts contributed by
the Company for the Executive's benefit under any profit sharing (other than the
Company's Retirement Savings Plan), pension, stock bonus or other retirement or
benefit plan maintained by the Company (including the contributions contemplated
by this Agreement);

          (c)  any reimbursements for travel expenses, relocation allowances,
housing allowances, educational assistance allowances, or other special
allowances and awards;

          (d)  any country club and other similar dues paid on behalf of
Executive (or amounts paid to the Executive for payment of any such dues);

          (e)  any income realized for federal income tax purposes as a result
of (i) group life insurance, (ii) the grant or exercise of an option or options
to acquire shares of stock of the Company or an affiliated company, the receipt
of a cash appreciation payment in lieu of the exercise of such an option or
options, the disposition of shares acquired on exercise of such an option, (iii)
the transfer of restricted shares of stock or restricted property of the Company
or any affiliated company, or

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the removal of any such restrictions, or (iv) any other Company fringe benefits;

          (f)  payment for unused accrued vacation;

          (g)  any special bonuses, including but not limited to, all amounts
paid or payable to Executive pursuant to paragraph 21 hereof (whether paid by
the Company, the Trust or otherwise) and any bonus paid to Executive on account
of his accepting employment with the Company; and

          (h)  any compensation paid or payable to the Executive, or to any
governmental body or agency on account of the Executive, under the terms of any
state or federal law requiring the payment of such compensation because of the
Executive's voluntary or involuntary termination of employment with the Company.

          4.   COVERED COMPENSATION. For purposes of computing the Executive's
benefits hereunder, "covered compensation" shall mean, with respect to the
Executive, the average of the taxable wage bases in effect (under Section 230 of
the Social Security Act) for each calendar year during the 35-year period ending
with the year in which the Executive attains (or will attain) his Social
Security retirement age. In determining the Executive's covered compensation for
a year, the taxable wage base for all calendar years beginning after such year
is assumed to be the same as the taxable wage base in effect for that year. The
Executive's "Social Security retirement age" means the age used as his
retirement age under Section 216(1) of the Social Security Act (provided,
however, such section shall be applied without regard to the age increase factor
and as if the early retirement age under Section 216(1)(2) of such Act were 62
years).

          5.   ESTIMATED PRIMARY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT. The term "Primary
Social Security Benefit" means:

          (a)  If the Executive retires on his normal or late retirement date,
the estimated "Primary Insurance Amount" payable to him as of the date he first
would be entitled to receive unreduced Primary Insurance Amounts under the
Social Security Act as in effect on his retirement date, determined upon the
assumption that he would not receive any "wages" for purposes of the Social
Security Act after his retirement date.

          (b)  If the Executive retires or terminates employment with the
Company prior to his normal retirement date, the estimated Primary Insurance
Amount payable to him as of the date he first would be entitled to receive
unreduced Primary Insurance Amounts under the Social Security Act as in effect
as of his employment termination date, but determined upon the assumptions that
he would have continued in covered employment for purposes

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of such Act until the date he first would be entitled to receive such unreduced
Primary Insurance Amounts and that his "wages" for purposes of the Social
Security Act would have continued until such date at the same rate as his
"wages" for the calendar year ending coincident with or next preceding the
calendar year in which his termination of employment occurs.

          The Executive's estimated Primary Insurance Amount for purposes of
this Agreement shall be determined pursuant to a table prepared by the Company
for this purpose, which table shall reasonably reflect the Executive's estimated
monthly Primary Insurance Amount for purposes of this Agreement as of his
retirement date or employment termination date on the basis of his estimated
"average monthly wage at age 65" (which average monthly wage at age 65 shall be
based upon the Executive's "wages" for the calendar year ending coincident with
or next preceding the calendar year in which his termination of employment
occurs, the assumption that the Executive's "wages" for prior calendar years had
increased at the rate of increase in the "Average Per Worker Total Wages"
reported by the Social Security Administration and the assumption, to the extent
appropriate, that the Executive's "wages" for subsequent calendar years equal
his "wages" for such calendar year ending coincident with or next preceding the
calendar year in which his retirement date or termination of employment occurs).
For purposes of this Agreement, "Primary Insurance Amount," "wages," and
"average monthly wage at age 65" have the respective meanings set forth in the
Social Security Act.

          6.   MAXIMUM BENEFIT. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, in no event shall Executive's basic annual benefit (computed by
adding the amounts described in subparagraphs 2(a) and 2(b) and before applying
any offsets described in subparagraph 2(c) or any proration for termination of
employment before age 65 or early retirement reductions described in paragraph
13 below) under any form of payment elected by Executive (or his surviving
spouse) exceed the Maximum Benefit permitted to be paid under such form of
payment.

          7.   VESTING. Subject to the conditions below and in Executive's
Employment Agreement, Executive shall be fully vested in all benefits pursuant
to this Agreement upon his completion of three full "years of service" (as
defined below) with the Company. In addition, Executive shall be fully vested in
such benefits upon (a) his death, termination of employment by the Company by
reason of Executive's Disability, or his termination of employment by the
Company Without Cause, (b) his termination of employment with the Company within
36 months after a Change of Control for reason other than Retirement, or
termination by the Company for Cause, or (c) Executive's resignation from the
employ of the Company for Good Reason within 36 months after a Change of
Control. Prior to Executive's

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completion of three full years of service with the Company or the occurrence of
an event described in the preceding sentence, Executive shall not be vested in
any portion of his benefits hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything
in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement except that clause
(d) of that definition shall not apply), Executive shall forfeit all rights to
any benefits hereunder (regardless of whether at the time of such termination
Executive had completed three full years of service with the Company), and
neither Executive nor any beneficiary of Executive shall be entitled to any
benefits pursuant to this Agreement.

          8.   YEAR OF SERVICE. Executive shall be credited with one "year of
service" with the Company for each twelve-consecutive-month period he is
employed by the Company ending on the anniversary of his date of hire by the
Company (and such additional service credit as is provided for in the Employment
Agreement).

          9.   NORMAL RETIREMENT. Executive's "normal retirement date" shall be
the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next following the date
the Executive attains age 65 years.

          10.  EARLY RETIREMENT DATE. Executive's "early retirement date" shall
be the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next following the
date of his retirement from the employ of the Company before his normal
retirement date but after he has attained age 60 years.

          11.  LATE RETIREMENT DATE. Executive's "late retirement date" shall be
the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next following the date
of his retirement from the employ of the Company after his normal retirement
date.

          12.  RETIREMENT DATE. Reference herein to the Executive's "retirement
date" shall mean his early retirement date, normal retirement date, or late
retirement date, whichever applies.

          13.  EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

          (a)  If Executive's employment with the Company terminates prior to
his attainment of age 65 years (including due to his death), his retirement
benefits (if any) prior to reduction by amounts, if any, described in
subparagraph 2(c) above shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be 26 minus the number of full years until the Executive would
attain (or would have attained, in the case of his death) age 65 years and the
denominator of which shall be 25; PROVIDED, that in no event shall the foregoing
fraction exceed 1; and,

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PROVIDED, FURTHER, that in the event the Company terminates Executive within 36
months after a Change of Control occurs (unless such termination is due to
Executive's death or Retirement, or Executive's termination for Cause or
Disability) or Executive resigns for Good Reason within 36 months after a Change
of Control occurs, then the Executive's retirement benefits (before reduction
for amounts described in paragraph 2 (c) above) will be multiplied by the
greater of (i) the fraction determined in accordance with the method specified
above, and (ii) 21/25ths. After application of the foregoing fraction, the
Executive's benefits shall be reduced by the amounts, if any, described in
subparagraph 2(c) above.

          (b)  In the event that Executive's benefits commence prior to his
attainment of age 65 years, his retirement benefits hereunder (as prorated in
accordance with the foregoing and reduced by amounts, if any, described in
subparagraph 2(c)) shall be reduced by 0.667 percent for each of the first 36
months and 0.333 percent for each of the next 24 months that benefits commence
before age 65 years.

          14.  DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment with the Company
terminates by reason of his Disability, Executive shall be fully vested in his
benefits hereunder and may elect to commence receipt of such benefits as of any
date on or after the later of the date his employment terminates by reason of
his Disability or the date he attains age 60 years. Any benefits payable
pursuant to this paragraph shall be prorated and, to the extent benefit payments
commence before Executive attains age 65 years, reduced in the same manner as
early retirement benefits described in paragraph 13 above.

          15.  LATE RETIREMENT. If the Executive's employment with the Company
terminates after his attainment of age 65 years, the Executive's benefits, if
any, pursuant to this Agreement shall not be actuarially increased to account
for receipt after his normal retirement date.

          16.  BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION. Prior to commencement of the Executive's
benefit, the Executive's beneficiary for all benefits, if any, payable hereunder
upon his death shall be his surviving spouse, if any. If Executive is not
married as of the date of his death, and he dies prior to the commencement of
his benefits hereunder, no death or survivor benefits shall be paid to any other
beneficiary (including Executive's estate). On and after commencement of
Executive's benefit, any death benefit payable shall be determined based on the
form of payment under which the benefit is being paid. With respect to the
optional forms of payment under subparagraphs 18(a), (b) and (c), the Executive
may designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) other than his spouse at the time
(but not later than the time) that benefits commence. Notwithstanding anything
in this Agreement to

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the contrary, the Executive shall not be permitted to change his beneficiary
designation after commencement of his benefits hereunder if such benefits are
paid in an optional form described in subparagraphs 18(a) or (b). With respect
to any joint and survivor form of benefit payment described in paragraph 18, if
the Executive's beneficiary predeceases him after commencement of the
Executive's benefits, the monthly amount payable to the Executive shall not be
recalculated and no benefits shall be payable to any other beneficiary
(including Executive's estate) upon the Executive's death; provided, however,
that to the extent the Executive names more than one beneficiary and one or
more, but not all, of such beneficiaries predeceases the Executive after
commencement of the Executive's benefits, the monthly amount, if any, payable
after the Executive's death to any surviving beneficiary shall not be
recalculated. With respect to any payments made in the form of a ten-year
certain benefit described in subparagraph 18(c), (i) if the Executive's
beneficiary predeceases him after commencement of the Executive's benefits, the
Executive may name another beneficiary or beneficiaries, as his designated
beneficiary, and (ii) if the Executive dies after commencement of his benefits
in the form of a ten-year certain option but prior to the expiration of the
120-month payment period, benefit payments commence to his designated
beneficiary, and such beneficiary also dies prior to the expiration of such
120-month period, the balance of any remaining payments shall be made to the
deceased beneficiary's estate.

          17.  AUTOMATIC FORM OF BENEFIT PAYMENT. Executive's benefits shall
automatically be paid in the form of a life annuity (if, at the time Executive
commences receipt of benefits, Executive is not married) or a 50-percent joint
and survivor annuity (if, at the time Executive commences receipt of benefits,
Executive is married); PROVIDED that in each case the automatic form of benefit
shall be actuarially equivalent to the Standard Form of Payment. For purposes of
this Agreement, "life annuity" shall mean equal monthly payments to the
Executive commencing on Executive's retirement date and continuing for the
remainder of his life, and "50-percent joint and survivor annuity" shall mean a
monthly benefit payable to the Executive commencing on his retirement date for
his life, with 50 percent of such monthly benefit payable to his surviving
spouse for the remainder of her life; PROVIDED, that if Executive dies prior to
commencement of benefits hereunder, his surviving spouse's monthly benefit will
commence at the time Executive would have achieved age 65 years had he survived
and will be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the monthly benefit that Executive
would have received if he were deemed to have terminated his employment with the
Company as of the date of his death and commenced receipt of his benefits (in
the form of a 50-percent joint and survivor annuity) at Executive's normal
retirement date. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive's "surviving
spouse" shall be his spouse

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at the time of his death; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if Executive commences receipt
of benefits prior to his death, such person shall be deemed to be Executive's
"surviving spouse" only if Executive was married to such spouse as of the date
his benefits commenced pursuant to this Agreement.

          18.  OPTIONAL FORMS OF BENEFIT PAYMENT. In lieu of the automatic forms
of benefit payment, the Executive may elect to receive his benefits in any one
of the following forms, subject to the conditions of this Agreement (all of
which shall be actuarially equivalent to the Standard Form of Payment):

          (a)  66-2/3-PERCENT JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY. An actuarially reduced
monthly benefit payable to the Executive during his life, with 66-2/3 percent of
such reduced monthly benefit payable to his beneficiary for the remainder of
his/her life.

          (b)  100-PERCENT JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY. An actuarially reduced
monthly benefit payable to the Executive during his life, with 100 percent of
such reduced monthly benefit payable to his beneficiary for the remainder of
his/her life.

          (c)  TEN-YEAR CERTAIN OPTION. An actuarially reduced monthly benefit
payable to the Executive during his life and, if the Executive dies before
payments have been made over 120 months, a continuing monthly payment of the
same amount shall be payable to the Executive's beneficiary for the balance of
such 120-month period.

          (d)  LUMP SUM. If Executive resigns from the employ of the Company for
Good Reason within 36 months after a Change of Control or dies while still
employed by the Company, Executive (or his spouse as of his death, as
applicable) may elect to receive his benefits hereunder in the form of the lump
sum actuarially equivalent value of his monthly benefits (payable at the
Executive's normal retirement date) as soon as reasonably practicable after
Executive's termination of employment or death.

          18A. EARLY COMMENCEMENT OF SURVIVOR BENEFIT. If Executive dies before
commencement of benefits hereunder (and his surviving spouse, if any, does not,
or is not entitled to, elect to receive a lump sum payment pursuant to paragraph
18(d) above), Executive's surviving spouse may elect to commence receipt of the
benefit otherwise payable under paragraph 17 at any time after Executive's
death. The amount of such monthly benefit will be reduced in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 13(b) to the extent that such benefits commence prior to
date that Executive would have attained age 65 years had he survived (and if
such monthly benefits are to commence prior to that date that Executive would
have attained the age of 60 years had he survived, then, after giving effect to
the maximum reduction

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provided for in paragraph 13(b), the amount of such monthly benefit will be
further reduced to the actuarial equivalent (as determined in accordance with
paragraph 19) of the benefit that would be payable if such monthly benefits had
commenced on the date that Executive would have attained age 60 years).

          19.  ACTUARIAL EQUIVALENCE. A benefit shall be actuarially equivalent
to any other benefit if the actuarial reserve required to provide such benefit
is equal to the actuarial reserve required to provide such other benefits,
computed on the basis of the actuarial rates, tables and procedures as follows:

          (a)  An interest rate of eight percent per annum shall be used in
determining actuarial equivalence for any optional form of benefit and for
purposes of computing the amount of any lump sum payment.

          (b)  Actuarial equivalence shall be based on the 1975 Basic and
Ultimate Mortality Table.

          20.  FACILITY OF PAYMENT. If the Executive or his beneficiary is
entitled to payments pursuant to this Agreement and it has been determined by a
judicial forum with appropriate jurisdiction that such person is legally
incapacitated so as to be unable to manage his or her financial affairs, the
Company shall make payments to the Executive's or beneficiary's legal
representative. Any payment made in accordance with the preceding sentence shall
be a full and complete discharge of any liability for such payments hereunder.

          21.  REIMBURSEMENT OF INCOME TAXES. After the end of each of the
Trust's taxable years, beginning with the Trust's taxable year in which the
Executive becomes vested in the benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement and
ending with the Trust's taxable year which includes the Commencement Date, the
Company shall direct the trustee of the Trust to distribute to the Executive
from assets of the Trust an amount equal to the Executive's Income Tax Cost with
respect to such Trust taxable year. Each such distribution shall be made within
5 business days after the end of the relevant Trust taxable year.

          22.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST. The parties hereto agree that as soon as
reasonably practicable, the Company shall establish a trust for the purpose of
holding assets to be used in paying benefits established pursuant to this
Agreement (the "Trust") by executing the trust agreement attached as Exhibit C
to the Employment Agreement. The Company shall make annual cash contributions to
the Trust on or before December 31 of each calendar year with the last
contribution to be made to the Trust on or before December 31, 1999, subject to
the conditions of this paragraph 22. The amount of each such annual contribution
shall

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be actuarially determined by the Company in its sole discretion, taking into
account the actuarial present value (computed using the assumptions set forth in
paragraph 19) as of the date of contribution of the Executive's projected normal
retirement benefit at age 65 (i.e., assuming that Executive would have become
fully vested in all benefits accrued under this Agreement and his employment
with the Company would not have terminated prior to his attaining age 65), if
any, hereunder, the market value of assets, if any, in the Trust as of such
date, the actual rate of return on assets in the Trust up to such date and the
projected future cost of the Company's obligations under paragraph 21 (assuming
the Commencement Date is Executive's normal retirement date) based on the
prevailing income tax rates. The Company may employ actuaries or other
consultants to compute the amount of any such annual contribution. To the extent
the Company (or its actuaries or consultants) determines that in any calendar
year in which the Company would otherwise be required to make a contribution to
the Trust, actuarially no contribution is required, the Company shall not be
required to make any contribution to the Trust for such year. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control, the Company shall contribute
to the Trust on the closing date of such Change of Control transaction the
amount in cash that as of such date, when combined with the total assets that
have been contributed to the Trust as of such date (plus earnings thereon),
equals the then present value (computed using the assumptions set forth in
paragraph 19) of the Executive's projected early retirement benefit at age 60,
or his actual age, if greater (i.e., assuming that Executive would have become
fully vested in all benefits accrued under this Agreement and his employment
with the Company would have terminated upon his attaining age 60, or his actual
termination date, if later) and the projected future cost of the Company's
obligations under paragraph 21 (assuming the Commencement Date is Executive's
normal retirement date) based on the prevailing income tax rates, and the
Company shall have no further obligation to make contributions to the Trust
under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, (i) the Company may, upon written notice to the trustee of the Trust
that all amounts payable to or with respect to the Executive under this
Agreement have been fully paid or otherwise provided for, require the trustee to
return all residual assets of the Trust to the Company, and (ii) the Company may
at any time direct the trustee to return to the Company the amount of actuarial
overfunding in the Trust (regardless of whether the Executive is then entitled
to commence receipt of benefits under this Agreement), the amount of such
overfunding to be determined by the Company.

          23.  WITHHOLDING FOR TAXES. Notwithstanding any provision in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Company may withhold from any payment made by it
under this Agreement such amount or amounts as may be required for purposes of
complying

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with the tax withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or any state's
income tax act or for purposes of paying any estate, inheritance or other tax
attributable to any amounts payable hereunder.

          24.  CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.

          (a)  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them below:

          "AFTER-TAX BENEFIT" means, with respect to any amount to be paid to
Executive, the amount to be paid to the Executive less the Tax Cost of such
payment.

          "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          "COMMENCEMENT DATE" means the earlier of (i) the date that payment of
benefits provided for in this Agreement (excluding those described in paragraph
21 hereof) commence and (ii) Executive's normal retirement date.

          "COMPANY" means The William Carter Company and any successor by reason
of merger, consolidation, the purchase of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company or otherwise.

          "FUNDED VESTED BENEFIT" means the lesser of (x) the actuarial present
value of the vested accrued benefits provided to the Executive under this
Agreement (as determined by utilizing the actuarial assumptions set forth in
paragraph 19) or (y) the aggregate fair market value of the assets of the Trust.
For this purpose, the fair market value of any life insurance policy owned by
the Trust shall equal the cash value of the policy.

          "INCOME TAX COST" means the aggregate amount of all federal, state and
local income taxes payable by Executive on any amount included in the taxable
income of Executive pursuant to Section 402(b)(4) of the Code and any
corresponding provisions of state or local tax law (assuming that such taxable
income would be taxed at the highest marginal federal, state and local income
tax rates for ordinary income in effect for the relevant tax year) and any
related "payroll" taxes, as determined by the Company in good faith. The Company
and Executive currently anticipate, based on existing IRS guidance, that the
taxable amount will equal the sum of (x) the increase during the Trust taxable
year of the Funded Vested Benefit and (y) any amounts distributed to Executive
during the Trust taxable year.

          "INSOLVENCY EVENT" means (i) the entry by a court having jurisdiction
over the matter of an order or decree for relief in respect of the Company in
any involuntary case under federal bankruptcy laws or other similar laws, of an
order or

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decree appointing a receiver, liquidator, custodian or trustee for the Company
or for all or substantially all of its assets or of an order or decree of
liquidation of the Company, which order or decree remains unstayed and in effect
for a period of 60 consecutive days, or (ii) the commencement by the Company of
a voluntary case under federal bankruptcy laws or other similar laws or the
consent by the Company to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, custodian
or trustee for the Company or for all or substantially all of its assets, or a
voluntary liquidation by the Company or a voluntary assignment by the Company of
all or substantially all of its assets for the benefit of its creditors.

          "MAXIMUM BENEFIT" means that annual amount distributed by the Trust to
Executive after commencement of benefits under this Agreement which will yield
an annual After-Tax Benefit that is equal to the After-Tax Benefit that would be
realized by Executive if the Company were to pay Executive a fully-taxable
benefit of $385,000 a year during the same period in the Standard Form of
Payment. The Maximum Benefit payable under any other form of payment (or with
respect to any other beneficiary or beneficiaries) will be the amount which is
actuarially equivalent (determined based on the provisions of paragraph 19) to
the Maximum Benefit payable under the Form of Payment.

          "STANDARD FORM OF PAYMENT" means the payments payable under a 50%
joint and survivor annuity based on (i) the life expectancies of Executive and
his spouse as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) the assumption that
Executive is continuously employed by the Company through his normal retirement
age and commences receipt of benefits at his normal retirement age.

          "TAX COST" means, with respect to any amount received (or to be
received) by Executive in any taxable year, the aggregate amount of all foreign,
federal, state and local income taxes and any related "payroll" taxes that would
be payable by Executive as a result of his receipt of such amount (assuming that
such amount (or the portion of the amount received that is taxable) would be
taxed at the highest applicable marginal foreign, federal, state and local
income tax rates for ordinary income in effect at the time specified in the
following sentence). For purposes of calculating the applicable Maximum Amount
to determine the amount of any contribution to be made to the Trust under
paragraph 22, the relevant Tax Cost shall be determined using income tax rates
in effect at the time of (or for the period covered by) the payment; for
purposes of determining the Maximum Amount in order to give effect to the
limitation expressed in paragraph 6, the relevant Tax Cost shall be determined
using the income tax rates in effect on the Commencement Date.

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          (b)  As used in this Agreement, the terms "Annual Incentive Plan,"
"Base Salary," "Cause," "Change of Control," "Disability," "Good Reason,"
"Retirement" and "Without Cause" shall have the meanings given such terms in the
Employment Agreement.

          25.  EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. This Agreement is not a contract of
employment. Any right of the Executive to employment with the Company is set
forth in the Employment Agreement.

          26.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. To the extent permitted by law, no
person (including Holdings, the Company, the respective Boards of Directors of
Holdings and the Company, any present or former member of the foregoing Boards,
and any present or former officer or employee of Holdings or the Company) shall
be personally liable for any act done or omitted to be done in good faith in the
administration of this Agreement and the computation and payment of benefits
pursuant hereto.

          27.  CONTROLLING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Connecticut, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
State of Connecticut or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application
of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Connecticut.

          28.  ACTION BY THE COMPANY. Any action required of or permitted by the
Company under this Agreement shall be by resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company or any person or persons authorized by resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company.

          29.  ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties, their legal representatives, successors and assigns, and
all persons entitled to benefits hereunder. All rights and benefits pursuant to
this Agreement are personal to the Executive and neither this Agreement nor
right or interest of the Executive, his beneficiary, or any other person arising
under this Agreement is subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, sale,
transfer, or assignment.

          30.  NOTICES. Any notice given in connection with this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be delivered in person or by registered mail, return
receipt requested. Any notice given by registered mail shall be deemed to have
been given upon the date of delivery indicated on the registered mail return
receipt, if correctly addressed.

                                      -13-
<Page>

          31.  NOTICE TO TRUSTEE. The Company shall immediately provide written
notice to the trustee of the Trust upon the occurrence of an Insolvency Event or
a Change of Control.

          32.  AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. The provisions of this Agreement may be
amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the
Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the
provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement.

          33.  COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, those documents expressly
referred herein and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties,
written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

          34.  SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
                            [SINGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                      -14-
<Page>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.

                                                     THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY

                                                     By /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                                       -------------------------
                                                     Its Chairman
                                                        ------------------------

                                                     /s/ Frederick J. Rowan
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     FREDERICK J. ROWAN, II

                                      -15-<Page>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                   SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

     This Amendment ("Amendment") is made this 30 day of October, 1996, by and
between Frederick J. Rowan, II ("Executive") and The William Carter Company, a
Massachusetts corporation ("Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Executive and Company entered into an Amended and Restated
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement ("Agreement") as of November 1,
1993; and

     WHEREAS, in connection with the pending acquisition of the Company (and/or
Carter Holdings Corp. ("Holdings")), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of September 18, 1996, by and between TWCC Acquisition
Corporation and The William Carter Company ("Merger"), the parties have agreed
to amend the Agreement to delete all provisions relating to (i) a current or
future Change of Control, or (ii) forfeiture of benefits upon a termination for
Cause;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises
and covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Agreement is hereby
amended as follows, effective as of the day and year first written above.

          1.   DEFINITIONS. Unless expressly defined in this Amendment, the
capitalized terms used herein have the definitions attributed to them in the
Agreement, and the definitions of those terms in the Agreement are incorporated
herein by reference.

          2.   NO CHANGE OF CONTROL. The parties hereto expressly agree that the
acquisition of the Company and/or Holdings to be effected pursuant to the Merger
will not trigger any additional rights, vesting, benefits, or funding under the
Agreement or under the related Trust Agreement dated as of August 1, 1994, by
and between the Company and Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A. ("Trust Agreement"),
notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement or the Trust Agreement to the
contrary.

          3.   VESTING. Section 7 of the Agreement is amended to delete all
references to a Change of Control and to termination for Cause. Section 7, as
amended, shall read as follows:

               7.   VESTING. Subject to the conditions below and in Executive's
               Employment Agreement, Executive shall be fully vested in all
               benefits pursuant to this Agreement upon his completion of three
               full "years of service" (as defined below) with the Company. In
               addition, Executive shall be fully vested in such benefits upon
               his death, termination of employment

<Page>

               by the Company by reason of Executive's Disability, or his
               termination of employment by the Company Without Cause. Prior to
               Executive's completion of three full years of service with the
               Company or the occurrence of an event described in the preceding
               sentence, Executive shall not be vested in any portion of his
               benefits hereunder.

          4.   EARLY RETIREMENT. Section 13(a) of the Agreement, relating to
early retirement benefits, is amended to delete the special Change in Control
provisions. Section 13(a), as amended, shall read as follows:

               (a)  If Executive's employment with the Company terminates prior
               to his attainment of age 65 years (including due to his death),
               his retirement benefits (if any) prior to reduction by amounts,
               if any, described in subparagraph 2(c) above shall be multiplied
               by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be 26 minus the
               number of full years until the Executive would attain (or would
               have attained, in the case of his death) age 65 years and the
               denominator of which shall be 25; PROVIDED, that in no event
               shall the foregoing fraction exceed 1. After application of the
               foregoing fraction, the Executive's benefits shall be reduced by
               the amounts, if any, described in subparagraph 2(c) above.

          5.   LUMP SUM. Section 17(d) of the Agreement is amended to delete the
Change of Control provisions. Section 17(d), as amended, shall read as follows:

               (d)  LUMP SUM. If Executive dies while still employed by the
               Company, his spouse as of his death may elect to receive his
               benefits hereunder in the form of the lump sum actuarially
               equivalent value of his monthly benefits (payable at the
               Executive's normal retirement date) as soon as reasonably
               practicable after Executive's death.

          6.   TRUST FUNDING. Section 22 of the Agreement is amended to delete
the Change of Control provisions. Section 22, as amended, shall read as follows:

               22.  ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST. The parties hereto agree that as
soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall establish a trust for the
purpose of holding assets to be used in paying benefits established pursuant to
this Agreement (the "Trust") by executing the trust agreement attached as
Exhibit C to the Employment Agreement. The Company shall make annual cash
contributions to the Trust on or before December 31 of each calendar year with
the last contribution to be made to the Trust on or before December 31, 1999,
subject to the conditions of this paragraph 22. The amount of each such annual
contribution shall be actuarially determined by the Company in its sole
discretion, taking into account the actuarial present value (computed using the
assumptions set forth in paragraph 19) as of the date of contribution of the
Executive's projected normal retirement benefit at age 65 (i.e., assuming that
Executive would have become fully vested in all benefits accrued under this
Agreement and his employment with the Company would not have terminated prior to
his attaining age 65), if any, hereunder, the market value of assets, if any, in
the Trust as of such date, the actual rate of return on assets in the Trust up
to

                                        2
<Page>

such date and the projected future cost of the Company's obligations under
paragraph 21 (assuming the Commencement Date is Executive's normal retirement
date) based on the prevailing income tax rates. The Company may employ actuaries
or other consultants to compute the amount of any such annual contribution. To
the extent the Company (or its actuaries or consultants) determines that in any
calendar year in which the Company would otherwise be required to make a
contribution to the Trust, actuarially no contribution is required, the Company
shall not be required to make any contribution to the Trust for such year.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Company may,
upon written notice to the trustee of the Trust that all amounts payable to or
with respect to the Executive under this Agreement have been fully paid or
otherwise provided for, require the trustee to return all residual assets of the
Trust to the Company, and (ii) the Company may at any time direct the trustee to
return to the Company the amount of actuarial overfunding in the Trust
(regardless of whether the Executive is then entitled to commence receipt of
benefits under this Agreement), the amount of such overfunding to be determined
by the Company.

     7.   TRUSTEE NOTICE. Section 31 of the Agreement is amended to delete any
reference to a Change of Control, Section 31, as amended, shall read as follows:

          31.  NOTICE TO TRUSTEE. The Company shall immediately provide written
               notice to the trustee of the Trust upon the occurrence of an
               Insolvency Event.

     8.   CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS. Except as amended by this Amendment, the
Agreement continues in full force and effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective as
of the day and year first written above.

                                           THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY

                                           By:    /s/ David A. Brown
                                                  ------------------------------

                                           Its:   Sr. VP - Secretary
                                                  ------------------------------

                                           EXECUTIVE:

                                           /s/ Frederick J. Rowan, II
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           FREDERICK J. ROWAN, II

                                        3

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