Who Owns Claire's?

Claire's was founded in 1961 as Fashion Tress Industries, a company focused on hair accessories and fashion items. The company was renamed Claire's Accessories in 1973 and later became known as Claire's Boutiques. The company established itself as a premier destination for accessories, jewelry, and fashion items targeted at young women. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for fashion accessories while establishing a distinctive retail concept that would define the tween and teen accessories market for generations.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Claire's expanded significantly, opening stores across the United States and internationally. The company became particularly known for its ear piercing services, claiming to have performed over 100 million piercings in 25+ years. This period of expansion demonstrated Claire's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. Claire's went public and expanded its product portfolio to include toys, cosmetics, and lifestyle items.

In 2007, Apollo Global Management acquired Claire's in a leveraged buyout. The company faced significant financial challenges following the acquisition, including high debt levels and changing retail dynamics. In 2022, Claire's announced plans for an initial public offering but subsequently faced financial difficulties. In August 2025, Claire's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing tariff uncertainty and operational challenges. This period of financial restructuring demonstrated Claire's exceptional ability to navigate complex business challenges while maintaining its core brand identity and customer relationships. In September 2025, Ames Watson Capital completed the acquisition of Claire's North American business for $140 million, marking a new chapter in the brand's evolution under new ownership focused on revitalization and growth.