Who Owns Izod?

Izod's history traces to 1938 when the Izod brand was established as a clothing company. The brand's most significant early chapter came through its association with Lacoste, the French sportswear brand founded by tennis player René Lacoste. In the 1950s, Izod entered into a licensing arrangement with Lacoste to manufacture and distribute Lacoste's iconic polo shirt in the United States. The Lacoste polo, featuring the famous crocodile logo, became one of the most recognizable sportswear items in America during the 1950s and 1960s, and Izod's association with the brand gave it significant market presence and consumer recognition.

The Izod-Lacoste polo shirt became a defining garment of the American preppy aesthetic of the 1950s through 1970s. The shirt's association with country clubs, golf courses, and Ivy League campuses made it a symbol of a particular strand of American upper-middle-class culture, and the brand developed strong recognition among consumers who identified with this aesthetic.

In 1969, General Mills acquired Izod, bringing the brand into the consumer goods conglomerate's portfolio. General Mills subsequently sold the brand to Crystal Brands in 1985. The Izod-Lacoste licensing arrangement ended in 1993, when Lacoste chose to distribute its products directly in the United States rather than through Izod. The end of the Lacoste license was a significant moment for Izod, as the brand had to establish its own identity independent of the Lacoste association that had defined much of its consumer recognition.

PVH Corp. acquired Izod in 1995, adding the brand to its Heritage Brands portfolio alongside Van Heusen, Arrow, and other heritage American fashion brands. Under PVH's ownership, Izod continued to operate as a golf and casual sportswear brand, maintaining its heritage positioning while adapting its product range to contemporary consumer preferences. PVH distributed Izod products through department stores, golf pro shops, and its own retail channels.

In 2021, PVH Corp. sold Izod to Authentic Brands Group as part of a $220 million transaction that also included Van Heusen, Arrow, and Geoffrey Beene. The sale reflected PVH's strategic decision to focus its resources on its two major global brands, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and to divest its Heritage Brands portfolio. ABG's acquisition of Izod fit the company's strategy of acquiring heritage American brands and managing them through a licensing model.

Under ABG's ownership, Izod continues to operate through licensed partners who manufacture and distribute Izod-branded products across golf apparel, casual sportswear, and lifestyle categories.