Who Owns Van Heusen?

Van Heusen was founded in 1881 by John Manning Van Heusen in Troy, New York, initially as a collar manufacturer. The brand's name became synonymous with the soft-fold collar, a significant innovation in men's dress shirts that replaced the stiff, detachable collars that were standard in the late 19th century. The Van Heusen soft collar, patented in 1919, was a major commercial success and helped establish the brand as a leader in men's dress shirts.

Throughout the early 20th century, Van Heusen expanded from collars into full dress shirts and casual wear, building a reputation for quality construction and professional styling. The brand became a staple of American men's professional wardrobes, known for its consistent quality and broad availability through department stores and men's clothing retailers.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, which would eventually become PVH Corp., was formed when Phillips Jones Corporation merged with Van Heusen in 1957. The combined company grew through decades of acquisitions, adding brands including IZOD, Arrow, Bass, and eventually Calvin Klein (2003) and Tommy Hilfiger (2010), transforming from a heritage shirt manufacturer into one of the world's largest fashion companies.

Under PVH's ownership, Van Heusen has been positioned as the company's accessible heritage brand, targeting professional men and women seeking quality dress shirts and business casual wear at mid-market price points. The brand is sold primarily through department stores, outlet stores, and the brand's own retail locations, with a significant presence in PVH's outlet channel.