J. Mendel
J. Mendel is a luxury fur and fashion house founded in 1870 by Joseph Mendel in St Petersburg and later based in Paris and New York. It is known for furs, luxury leathers, outerwear and evening gowns.
| Founded | 1870, St Petersburg |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joseph Mendel |
| Ateliers | Paris, New York |
| Majority owner | Stallion Inc. (from 2018) |
| Website | jmendel.com |
What is J. Mendel?
J. Mendel is a French-American luxury house with roots in a fur atelier founded in 1870 by Joseph Mendel in St Petersburg, Russia. After the Russian Revolution his son Jacques Mendel took the business to Paris, where it was led by successive generations of the family.
History
In 1981 Gilles Mendel, a fifth-generation descendant, opened a New York atelier and became lead designer, extending the house beyond outerwear into ready-to-wear and evening dresses. The house released a couture collection in 2016.
Ownership changed several times: The Gores Group took a controlling interest in 2010, and Stallion Inc. acquired majority stakes in 2015 and again in December 2018 after a restructuring. Gilles Mendel later stepped back from business dealings while continuing to support the label creatively.
Products and positioning
J. Mendel offers furs, luxury leathers, outerwear, formal dresses and gowns and accessories, as well as fur storage and services. It sells through its own website and a network of stockists.
Why it matters
J. Mendel is one of the few fashion houses with a continuous fur heritage of more than 150 years, and its path through private equity and new owners mirrors the challenges facing specialist luxury categories.
Frequently asked questions
Where is J. Mendel from?
J. Mendel was founded in St Petersburg in 1870, moved to Paris after the Russian Revolution and later opened a New York atelier.
What is J. Mendel known for?
J. Mendel is known for luxury furs, outerwear and evening gowns.