Orlebar Brown
Chanel · United Kingdom
Orlebar Brown is a British luxury menswear brand founded in London in 2007 by Adam Brown, best known for tailored swim shorts. Chanel acquired the company in 2018, making it one of the few non Chanel branded businesses in the group. It sells through its own stores in resort destinations, wholesale stockists and online.
| Founded | 2007, London |
|---|---|
| Founder | Adam Brown |
| Owner | Chanel (since 2018) |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Segment | Luxury men's swimwear and resortwear |
| Website | orlebarbrown.com |
What is Orlebar Brown?
Orlebar Brown is a London based luxury brand of men's swimwear and resortwear. Its signature product is the tailored swim short, cut like a pair of trousers with side adjusters so that it can be worn both in the water and on the terrace. The range has grown into a full resort wardrobe.
History
Adam Brown founded the brand in 2007; Wikipedia also lists Julia Simpson-Orlebar as co-founder. The business started online only before opening shops. In 2017 it hired advisers to explore a sale, and in September 2018 Chanel bought the company from its shareholders, including investor Piper and Adam Brown, for an undisclosed price. Adam Brown kept his creative role after the deal.
At the time of the acquisition FashionUnited reported 24 stores in 22 countries and more than 250 stockists. Chanel said it valued the brand's digital native e-commerce expertise, which could also support its swimwear label Eres.
Products and positioning
Orlebar Brown sits in luxury menswear, with an emphasis on travel and holidays. Its products include:
- Tailored swim shorts
- Polos, shirts and knitwear
- Shorts and trousers
- Rash guards and beach accessories
Wikipedia notes that products other than swim shorts now account for more than half of sales.
Business model and distribution
The brand combines own stores in London and resort locations such as Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Mykonos, Miami and the Hamptons with wholesale stockists, luxury department stores and its own e-commerce. Its origins as an online business remain central to the model.
Why it matters
Orlebar Brown shows how a narrow, well executed product idea can build a global luxury brand. Its acquisition by Chanel, alongside Eres and other specialist businesses, illustrates how luxury groups buy niche expertise in categories such as swimwear and digital retail.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Orlebar Brown?
Orlebar Brown has been owned by Chanel since 2018. Chanel bought the company from shareholders including investor Piper and founder Adam Brown for an undisclosed amount.
Who founded Orlebar Brown?
Orlebar Brown was founded in London in 2007 by Adam Brown. The brand began as an online business selling tailored men's swim shorts.