Lee
Kontoor Brands (sale to Authentic Brands Group agreed in 2026) · United States
Lee is an American denim brand founded in Salina, Kansas, in 1889 by Henry David Lee. Part of VF Corporation from 1969 and of Kontoor Brands from 2019, it is being sold to Authentic Brands Group under an agreement announced in May 2026 worth up to one billion dollars.
| Founded | 1889, Salina, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Founder | Henry David Lee |
| Owner | Kontoor Brands |
| Pending sale | Authentic Brands Group, announced May 2026 |
| Headquarters | Greensboro, United States |
| Segment | Denim and casual wear |
| Website | lee.com |
What is Lee?
Lee makes jeans and casual wear for men, women and children and is one of the oldest American denim names. It is currently a brand of Kontoor Brands in Greensboro, North Carolina, but in May 2026 Kontoor agreed to sell the Lee business to Authentic Brands Group, with completion expected in the second half of 2026 subject to approvals.
History
Henry David Lee founded the HD Lee Mercantile Company in Salina, Kansas, in 1889. The company introduced the Union-All work jumpsuit in 1913, its first overall in 1920 and a zip fly in the 1920s. By the 1930s and 1940s it was the leading US maker of work clothes, and the Lazy S back pocket stitch appeared in 1944. Lee moved into casual wear in 1954 and expanded to 81 countries in the 1960s. VF Corporation acquired it in 1969, and Lee joined Kontoor Brands when that company was spun off in 2019. In Australasia the brand has been held separately by Pacific Brands since 2007.
Products and positioning
Lee is a mid-market denim brand covering jeans, jackets and shirts, with archive-inspired lines alongside comfort-focused fits. The company launched Lee National Denim Day in 1996 as a fundraising initiative.
Business model and distribution
The brand is sold mainly through wholesale partners and department stores, plus its own e-commerce and licensing in some regions. The planned sale would move it to Authentic Brands Group's licensing-led model.
Why it matters
The deal, with an initial price of 750 million dollars plus an earnout of up to 250 million, is one of the largest denim brand transactions of 2026 and shows how listed groups are streamlining portfolios while licensing platforms consolidate heritage labels.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Lee jeans?
Lee belongs to Kontoor Brands, but Kontoor announced in May 2026 that it would sell the Lee business to Authentic Brands Group for 750 million dollars plus an earnout of up to 250 million. Closing was expected in the second half of 2026.
Where is Lee from?
Lee is American. It was founded in Salina, Kansas, in 1889 and is now managed from Greensboro, North Carolina.
