Cherokee
Galaxy Universal · United States
Cherokee is an American apparel and footwear brand founded in 1973 by James Argyropoulos in Venice Beach, California. It operates mainly through licensing, including the widely known Cherokee scrubs, and is owned by Galaxy Universal.
| Founded | 1973, Venice Beach, California |
|---|---|
| Founder | James Argyropoulos |
| Parent | Galaxy Universal (since 2021) |
| Licensed in | More than 50 countries |
| Website | cherokeeuniforms.com |
What is Cherokee?
Cherokee is an American apparel, footwear and accessories brand that began in 1973, when James Argyropoulos started selling custom-made footwear from his home in Venice Beach, California. The company was later based in Sherman Oaks, California.
History
Cherokee became a household name through a partnership with Target that began in the 1990s. Target ended its exclusive licence in January 2017, although some Target stores have since carried Cherokee products on a non-exclusive basis. The company also traded as Apex Global Brands and was acquired by Galaxy Universal in 2021.
Products and positioning
The brand covers apparel, footwear and accessories at accessible prices. Its workwear line produces medical scrubs, sold under Cherokee Uniforms in styles such as WW Originals, WW Revolution, Infinity and Tooniforms.
Distribution
Cherokee operates largely as a licensed brand, available in more than 50 countries through retail partners. Scrubs are also sold through a dedicated online store and a dealer network.
Why it matters
Cherokee is one of the clearest cases of a brand built through mass retail licensing, and of a name that found a durable second life in the healthcare uniform market.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the Cherokee brand?
Cherokee is owned by Galaxy Universal, which acquired the company, also known as Apex Global Brands, in 2021.
Does Target still sell Cherokee?
Target's exclusive licence ended in 2017, but some Target stores have carried Cherokee products on a non-exclusive basis.