Who Owns Van Heusen?

Van Heusen traces its origins to the late 19th century, when the soft-folding collar was developed as an alternative to the stiff, detachable collars that men wore with dress shirts at the time. The key innovation came from a Dutch immigrant named John Manning Van Heusen, who patented a process for bonding fabric to create a collar that could fold without cracking. In New York, Van Heusen met Isaac Phillips, who purchased the U.S. patent for the soft-folding collar. The partnership between Van Heusen and Phillips became the foundation of what would later be called Phillips-Van Heusen.

The soft-folding collar, patented in 1919, was a significant commercial success. It replaced the uncomfortable starched collars that had been standard for decades. The product resonated with men who wanted a professional appearance without the inconvenience and discomfort of detachable collars. This single product established the brand's identity as an innovator in men's professional apparel.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation was formally created in 1957 when Phillips Jones Corporation merged with Van Heusen. The combined company expanded from collars into full dress shirts, sportswear, and casual apparel. Through the 1960s and 1970s, Van Heusen became a staple of American men's professional wardrobes, sold through department stores and men's clothing retailers across the United States.

The company grew through acquisitions in subsequent decades. It added Izod in 1985, Arrow in 2000, Calvin Klein in 2003, and Tommy Hilfiger in 2010. These acquisitions transformed Phillips-Van Heusen from a heritage shirt manufacturer into one of the world's largest fashion companies. The corporation changed its name to PVH Corp. in 2011 to reflect its broader brand portfolio.

By the late 2010s, PVH's strategic priorities had shifted. The company was investing heavily in Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger as its global growth engines. The Heritage Brands portfolio, which included Van Heusen, Izod, and Arrow, was generating declining revenue and receiving minimal marketing investment. PVH shuttered 162 Heritage Brands outlet stores by mid-2021 and cut approximately 450 jobs.

In June 2021, PVH announced the sale of the Heritage Brands intellectual property to ABG for approximately $220 million. The transaction closed in August 2021. Under ABG's ownership, Van Heusen transitioned from a wholly-owned corporate division to a licensed brand operated by multiple partners. PVH retained the license for dress shirts and neckwear in North America, while United Legwear & Apparel Company took on the sportswear license.

In India, Van Heusen operates under Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited, which has built the brand into one of the largest premium menswear labels in the country. The Indian operation includes hundreds of retail stores and a broad product range that extends beyond dress shirts into casual wear, sportswear, and accessories. This regional licensing arrangement predates ABG's acquisition and continues independently.

As of 2026, Van Heusen remains a recognized name in men's professional apparel, though the brand faces ongoing challenges from the casualization of workplace dress codes and the growth of direct-to-consumer apparel brands.