Club Monaco
Regent, L.P. · Canada
Club Monaco is a fashion brand founded in Toronto in 1985 by Joe Mimran, Saul Mimran and Alfred Sung. Ralph Lauren owned it from 1999 until 2021, when it was sold to the Los Angeles private equity firm Regent, L.P.
| Founded | 1985, Toronto |
|---|---|
| Founders | Joe Mimran, Saul Mimran and Alfred Sung |
| Owner | Regent, L.P. (since 2021) |
| Previous owner | Ralph Lauren Corporation (1999 to 2021) |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | clubmonaco.com |
What is Club Monaco?
Club Monaco began as a Canadian better basics retailer, with its first store on Queen Street West in Toronto. It sells womenswear, menswear and accessories at premium prices through its own stores and website.
History
The brand was founded in 1985 by brothers Joe and Saul Mimran with the designer Alfred Sung. Ralph Lauren Corporation bought it in 1999 and moved its headquarters to New York, from where it expanded across the United States, Europe and Asia. The Caban lifestyle brand, launched in 2000, was closed by Ralph Lauren in 2006.
After several years of declining sales, Ralph Lauren sold Club Monaco to Regent, a Los Angeles private equity firm, around early 2021. Ralph Lauren is therefore no longer the owner, although many older references still list it.
Business model and distribution
Club Monaco trades through its own stores and online. Press reports describe a shrinking store base in Canada since the sale. The flagship at 157 Bloor Street West closed in March 2021, and the original store at 403 Queen Street West closed in December 2025. Men's and unisex stores at Yorkdale and Eaton Centre also closed in late 2025, and blogTO reported that the Yonge Street location received an eviction notice from its landlord in January 2026 citing an alleged unpaid amount. Wikipedia states that the brand has also closed its United States stores and now keeps a minimal online presence, a claim this profile has not been able to confirm from a second source.
According to the brand's website, remaining Ontario locations include Sherway Gardens, Yorkdale, Square One and Promenade.
Why it matters
Club Monaco shows how a mid-priced fashion brand can change course after leaving a large corporate owner. It was once a flagship Canadian fashion export inside the Ralph Lauren portfolio and is now a case study in brand restructuring under private equity ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Club Monaco?
Club Monaco is owned by Regent, L.P., a Los Angeles private equity firm, which bought it from Ralph Lauren Corporation around 2021. Ralph Lauren had owned the brand since 1999.
Where is Club Monaco from?
Club Monaco is a Canadian brand founded in Toronto in 1985. Its first store was on Queen Street West, and the company later moved its headquarters to New York under Ralph Lauren.