Cole Haan
Apax Partners · United States
Cole Haan is an American footwear and accessories brand founded in Chicago in 1928 by C. Trafton Cole and Edward Haan. Apax Partners acquired it from Nike in 2012, and it is known for hybrid dress shoes with athletic-inspired soles.
| Founded | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Founders | C. Trafton Cole and Edward Haan |
| Owner | Apax Partners (since 2012) |
| Headquarters | Greenland, New Hampshire, United States |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | colehaan.com |
What is Cole Haan?
Cole Haan is an American brand of men's and women's dress and casual footwear, with belts, handbags, gloves, scarves, hats, outerwear and sunglasses. Its official site presents it as rooted in craftsmanship, design and comfort since 1928.
History
The company dates to 1928 in Chicago, founded by C. Trafton Cole and Edward Haan, with origins linked to the 1930 liquidation of Selz, Schwab and Company. After later changes of ownership, Nike acquired the business in 1988 and sold it to Apax Partners in 2012 for $570 million. A planned initial public offering was withdrawn in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wikipedia reports no change of ownership since the Apax acquisition, but this has not been independently confirmed for 2026.
Products and positioning
- ØriginalGrand: a hybrid dress shoe with a dress upper and athletic sole.
- ZerøGrand: a sneaker-inspired outsole line.
- GrandPrø: a range inspired by athletics.
- Accessories: bags, belts, gloves, scarves and outerwear.
Business model and distribution
Cole Haan sells through its own stores and website, international distributor websites and retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy's and Zappos, and runs outlet stores in the United States. Its official site cites roughly 500 physical stores worldwide, while store counts on Wikipedia vary by section. The company is headquartered in Greenland, New Hampshire, with a design centre in New York City.
Why it matters
Cole Haan helped popularise the blending of dress shoe and sneaker technology, and its move from Nike to private equity ownership is a well documented case of a footwear brand being separated from a sportswear parent.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Cole Haan?
Cole Haan has been owned by the private equity firm Apax Partners since 2012, when it bought the brand from Nike for $570 million. The sources reviewed show no later change of ownership.
Where is Cole Haan from?
Cole Haan is an American brand founded in Chicago in 1928. It is now headquartered in Greenland, New Hampshire, with a design centre in New York.
