COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 315232

Women's and Girls' Cut and Sew Blouse and Shirt Manufacturing

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

30companies1899–1996founding years30still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedVF CorporationFoundedVF Corporation
1899
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
FoundedHartmarx Corporation
1911
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedKoret of California, Inc.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedChristian Dior S.A.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedEllen Tracy, Inc.
1949
FoundedLaura Ashley Holdings plcFoundedLaura Ashley Holdings plc
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
FoundedGaran, Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedStefanel SpA
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCalvin Klein, Inc.
1967
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedGiorgio Armani S.p.A.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedESCADA AGFoundedESCADA AG
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1980
EnvironmentSuperfund law makes polluters pay for cleanup.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedEileen Fisher Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedGerry Weber International AG
1989
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedTommy Hilfiger Corporation
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedPrada Holding B.V.
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

VF Corporation →
Active · founded 1899
VF Corporation is one of the world's largest publicly owned fashion apparel manufacturers, designing and producing a…
VF Corporation →
Active · founded 1899
VF Corporation is one of the world's largest publicly owned fashion apparel manufacturers, designing and producing a…
Hartmarx Corporation →
Active · founded 1911
Hartmarx Corporation is a holding company for a number of clothing companies, including its flagship brands of men's…
Hartmarx Corporation →
Active · founded 1911
Hartmarx Corporation is a holding company for a number of clothing companies, including its flagship brands of men's…
Koret of California, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Koret of California, Inc., has been making moderately priced apparel for women since 1938.
Koret of California, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Koret of California, Inc., has been making moderately priced apparel for women since 1938.
Christian Dior S.A. →
Active · founded 1946 · France
Christian Dior S.A.
Christian Dior S.A. →
Active · founded 1946 · France
Christian Dior S.A.
Ellen Tracy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Ellen Tracy, Inc., which originally made blouses, is now a leading maker of bridge apparel--clothing that falls in…
Ellen Tracy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Ellen Tracy, Inc., which originally made blouses, is now a leading maker of bridge apparel--clothing that falls in…
Laura Ashley Holdings plc →
Active · founded 1954 · United Kingdom
Laura Ashley Holdings plc is an international designer and retailer of clothing and home furnishings.
Laura Ashley Holdings plc →
Active · founded 1954 · United Kingdom
Laura Ashley Holdings plc is an international designer and retailer of clothing and home furnishings.
Garan, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Garan, Inc., is engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of men's, women's, and children's apparel under the…
Garan, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Garan, Inc., is engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of men's, women's, and children's apparel under the…
Stefanel SpA →
Active · founded 1959 · Italy
1970s:Joined by son Guiseppe, Stefanel begins designing and selling clothing under the Stefanel brand directly to…
Stefanel SpA →
Active · founded 1959 · Italy
1970s:Joined by son Guiseppe, Stefanel begins designing and selling clothing under the Stefanel brand directly to…
Calvin Klein, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Calvin Klein, Inc., designs, licenses, and, in some cases, produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, and home…
Calvin Klein, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Calvin Klein, Inc., designs, licenses, and, in some cases, produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, and home…
Giorgio Armani S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Italy
Giorgio Armani S.p.A.
Giorgio Armani S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Italy
Giorgio Armani S.p.A.
ESCADA AG →
Active · founded 1979 · Germany
ESCADA AG (Escada) is Germany's leading luxury fashion brand and a leading player in the global luxury clothing market.
ESCADA AG →
Active · founded 1979 · Germany
ESCADA AG (Escada) is Germany's leading luxury fashion brand and a leading player in the global luxury clothing market.
Eileen Fisher Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Eileen Fisher Inc.
Eileen Fisher Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Eileen Fisher Inc.
Gerry Weber International AG →
Active · founded 1989 · Germany
The union of tennis and fashion propelled Gerry Weber International AG into its position as one of Europe's leading…
Gerry Weber International AG →
Active · founded 1989 · Germany
The union of tennis and fashion propelled Gerry Weber International AG into its position as one of Europe's leading…
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation →
Active · founded 1992 · Hong Kong
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation markets menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear designed by Tommy Hilfiger.
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation →
Active · founded 1992 · Hong Kong
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation markets menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear designed by Tommy Hilfiger.
Prada Holding B.V. →
Active · founded 1996 · The Netherlands
Prada Holding B.V.
Prada Holding B.V. →
Active · founded 1996 · The Netherlands
Prada Holding B.V.
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