COMPANYHISTORIES
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.

18companies1836–1996founding years18still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedMarzotto S.p.A.
1836
FoundedVF Corporation
1899
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedHartmarx Corporation
1911
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedKoret of California, Inc.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedChristian Dior S.A.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedEllen Tracy, Inc.
1949
FoundedLaura Ashley Holdings plc
1954
FoundedGaran, Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedStefanel SpA
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCalvin Klein, Inc.
1967
FoundedChorus Line CorporationFoundedGiorgio Armani S.p.A.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedESCADA AG
1979
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedEileen Fisher Inc.
1986
FoundedGerry Weber International AG
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedPhat Fashions LLCFoundedTommy 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
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
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…
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.
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.
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
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…
Chorus Line Corporation →
Active · founded 1975
Founded in 1975 by three men in southern California, Chorus Line Corporation is one of the most successful moderately…
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.
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…
Phat Fashions LLC →
Active · founded 1992
Phat Fashions LLC, using the Phat Farm and Baby Phat labels, is the apparel segment of Rush Communications, one of the…
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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