Fred Perry
Hit Union · United Kingdom
Fred Perry is a British sportswear and casualwear brand launched in London in 1952 by the tennis champion of the same name. It has been owned by the Japanese company Hit Union since 1995. The brand is defined by its laurel wreath logo and its piqué tennis shirt, adopted by generations of British subcultures.
| Founded | 1952, London |
|---|---|
| Founder | Fred Perry |
| Owner | Hit Union (since 1995) |
| Logo | Laurel wreath |
| Signature product | The Fred Perry Shirt |
| Website | fredperry.com |
What is Fred Perry?
Fred Perry is a British clothing brand rooted in tennis and youth culture. Its website describes it as "Original since 1952" and names the Fred Perry Shirt, the Tennis Bomber Jacket, the Track Jacket, the Barrel Bag and the Tennis Shoe as the pieces that make up its DNA. The laurel wreath logo, based on Wimbledon's original symbol, is stitched onto the left chest of its garments.
History
The brand was created by Fred Perry, a triple Wimbledon champion. According to Wikipedia, Austrian footballer Tibby Wegner approached Perry in the late 1940s with a wrist-worn sweat device; Perry adapted it into a sweatband, and Wegner then suggested a sports shirt. The white cotton piqué shirt with a buttoned placket launched at Wimbledon in 1952.
The Perry family ran the business at first, led by his son David. In 1995 it was bought by the Japanese company Hit Union, with the family continuing to work closely with the brand.
Products and positioning
Fred Perry is positioned as a premium casualwear brand for men and women. Its range covers:
- Piqué shirts, including twin-tipped versions
- Track jackets, knitwear and outerwear
- Tennis shoes and other footwear
- Bags such as the Barrel Bag
The brand says its clothes have been adopted by "generations of British subcultures" and runs a dedicated Subculture platform with articles, playlists and live content.
Business model and distribution
Fred Perry sells through its own stores, including a flagship in London's Soho, through its e-commerce sites and through fashion retailers internationally. Its loyalty programme offers members free standard delivery.
Why it matters
Few fashion brands are as closely tied to music and youth culture as Fred Perry. Its long ownership by a Japanese company, combined with a strongly British identity, makes it a useful case of how a heritage brand can be managed across borders while keeping its cultural credibility.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Fred Perry?
Fred Perry has been owned by the Japanese company Hit Union since 1995. The Perry family ran the brand before the sale and continued to work closely with it afterwards.
Is Fred Perry a British brand?
Yes. The brand was founded in London in 1952 by British tennis champion Fred Perry, and its identity remains strongly British despite its Japanese ownership.