Brooks Brothers
Authentic Brands Group (brand owner); Catalyst Brands (operator) · United States
Brooks Brothers is an American menswear brand founded in New York in 1818 by Henry Sands Brooks and described as the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the US. After its 2020 bankruptcy it was bought by Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group, and its retail business is now run by Catalyst Brands.
| Founded | 1818, New York |
|---|---|
| Founder | Henry Sands Brooks |
| Brand owner | Authentic Brands Group |
| Operator | Catalyst Brands (since 2025) |
| Signature product | Button-down collar shirt (1896) |
| Website | brooksbrothers.com |
What is Brooks Brothers?
Brooks Brothers is a New York clothing brand synonymous with classic American style. It is best known for menswear such as suits, button-down shirts and blazers, and also sells womenswear, boys' clothing, accessories and made-to-measure tailoring.
History
Henry Sands Brooks opened the business in Manhattan on 7 April 1818 as H. & D. H. Brooks & Co. The company helped create the market for ready-to-wear suits and introduced the button-down collar shirt in 1896. It has dressed most US presidents since James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln was wearing a Brooks Brothers coat when he was assassinated.
The family ran the business until 1946. Later owners included Marks & Spencer from 1988 and, from 2001, Retail Brand Alliance, owned by Claudio Del Vecchio. Brooks Brothers filed for Chapter 11 in July 2020 and was acquired in September 2020 by SPARC Group, a venture of Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group. In 2025 SPARC merged with JCPenney to form Catalyst Brands, which now runs the business, while Authentic holds the brand.
Products and positioning
Brooks Brothers sits in the premium segment with a heritage, preppy identity. Its range includes:
- Suits, sport coats and tuxedos
- Dress shirts, including non-iron styles
- Knitwear, polos and casualwear
- Womenswear and boys' clothing
- Shoes, ties and accessories
Business model and distribution
The brand sells through its own stores, outlets and website, plus licensing partnerships for categories such as eyewear, fragrance and home textiles. Since 2023 a lower-priced line, B by Brooks Brothers, has been sold through Macy's. A new New York flagship opened at 195 Broadway in May 2025, after the historic Madison Avenue flagship closed during the bankruptcy.
Why it matters
Brooks Brothers shows how a two-century-old heritage brand can survive bankruptcy by moving into the brand management model, where intellectual property and store operations are separated. Its path is closely watched as a test of whether heritage menswear can be revived under Authentic Brands Group.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Brooks Brothers?
Brooks Brothers was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2020 by SPARC Group, a venture of Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group. Since SPARC merged with JCPenney in 2025, the retail business has been run by Catalyst Brands, while Authentic holds the brand.
How old is Brooks Brothers?
Brooks Brothers was founded in New York in 1818. It is described as the oldest American apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States.