Nine West
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Nine West is an American women's footwear and accessories brand founded in New York in 1983 by Jerome Fisher and Vince Camuto. Authentic Brands Group acquired it out of bankruptcy in 2018 and is listed as its current parent.
| Founded | 1983, New York City |
|---|---|
| Founders | Jerome Fisher and Vince Camuto |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (since 2018) |
| Predecessor owner | Jones Apparel Group (from 1999) |
| Segment | Footwear |
| Origin of name | 9 West 57th Street, New York |
What is Nine West?
Nine West began as a footwear brand and later expanded into handbags, dresses, suits, children's footwear and licensed lines. According to Wikipedia, those licences include eyewear, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewellery, belts, watches, hats and scarves.
History
The company was founded in 1983 in New York City and named after its original address at 9 West 57th Street. Its founders were Jerome Fisher and Vince Camuto. Jones Apparel Group acquired Nine West in 1999, and Nine West Holdings is listed as parent from 1999 to 2018.
Bankruptcy and ownership
In April 2018 the US and Canadian operations of Nine West Holdings filed for bankruptcy and closed all stores. Authentic Brands Group acquired the brand out of bankruptcy in 2018 and is listed as the current parent. The source does not cover changes after 2018, so any later licensing or operating arrangements are not described here.
Business model and distribution
After 2018 the brick-and-mortar business closed, and the products continue to be sold through other retailers. This reflects the brand-owner and licensing model used by Authentic Brands Group, under which product design and distribution are handled by licensees. Wikipedia mentions about 800 locations in 57 countries, but labels that claim as unsourced, and it is therefore not relied on in this profile.
Why it matters
Nine West is a widely cited example of a once store-led footwear chain that became a licensed brand after bankruptcy, a path followed by several other American heritage names.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Nine West?
Authentic Brands Group acquired Nine West out of bankruptcy in 2018 and is listed as its current parent, according to Wikipedia.
Where is Nine West from?
Nine West is an American brand founded in New York City in 1983 by Jerome Fisher and Vince Camuto.