NAIC 315234

Women's and Girls

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

21companies1836–1996founding years21still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
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

Marzotto S.p.A.
Active · founded 1836 · Italy
Marzotto S.p.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…
Schott Brothers, Inc.
Active · founded 1913
Schott Brothers, Inc.
Salvatore Ferragamo Italia S.p.A.
Active · founded 1927 · Italy
Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A.
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.
Active · founded 1945 · Italy
Brioni Roman Style S.p.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…
Klaus Steilmann GmbH & Co. KG
Active · founded 1958 · Germany
Klaus Steilmann GmbH & Co.
Stefanel SpA
Active · founded 1959 · Italy
Stefanel SpA is an Italian clothing designer, manufacturer, and retailer, producing fashions for the men's and women's…
Calvin Klein, Inc.
Active · founded 1967
Calvin Klein, Inc., designs, licenses, and, in some cases, produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, and home…
Bill Blass Ltd.
Active · founded 1968
Bill Blass Ltd.
Giorgio Armani S.p.A.
Active · founded 1975 · Italy
Giorgio Armani S.p.A.
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd.
Active · founded 1975
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd., the world's largest women's suit manufacturer, designs, markets, sources, manufactures, and…
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.
Dolce & Gabbana SpA
Active · founded 1982 · Italy
Dolce & Gabbana SpA cuts an independent swath in the international fashion scene.
Hugo Boss AG
Active · founded 1985 · Germany
Hugo Boss AG is Germany's largest manufacturer of men's and women's clothing and one of the world's leading design…
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…
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.
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