Playtex
Gildan Activewear (through Hanesbrands, apparel licence) · United States
Playtex is an American intimate apparel brand launched in 1947 as a division of the International Latex Corporation. Its apparel business sits with Hanesbrands, which Gildan acquired in December 2025, while other categories are licensed separately.
| Launched | 1947 |
|---|---|
| Origin | International Latex Corporation, United States |
| Apparel licensee | Hanesbrands (now part of Gildan) |
| Feminine care | Essity (from February 2026) |
| Segment | Lingerie, swimwear and hosiery |
What is Playtex?
Playtex was founded in 1947 as one of four divisions of the International Latex Corporation (ILC), a maker of latex consumer goods. ILC was founded in Rochester, New York, in 1932 by Abram Nathaniel Spanel and moved to Dover, Delaware, in 1939. The name combines play and latex.
A brand licensed by category
According to Wikipedia, Playtex Marketing Corp. owns the trademark in the United States and Canada and licenses it separately by product category.
- Apparel in the US, Canada and most international markets: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprise, a Hanesbrands subsidiary.
- Feminine care worldwide: Essity, which acquired the rights from Edgewell in February 2026 after announcing the deal in November 2025 for 340 million US dollars.
- Infant and pet care: Le Holdings Angelcare Inc., which bought the business from Edgewell in 2019.
- Household gloves: Freudenberg Household Products LP, which acquired the rights from Edgewell in 2017.
Ownership change
Gildan Activewear, based in Montreal, completed its acquisition of Hanesbrands on 1 December 2025 according to Wikipedia, so the apparel licence now sits within the Gildan group. In France, a 2022 FashionNetwork article reported that Playtex stayed with HanesBrands while Dim Brands International sold it there.
Why it matters
Playtex is a clear example of a heritage brand whose name is split across several owners by product category. For lingerie, it remains a mass-market name within the Hanesbrands portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Playtex?
Playtex Marketing Corp. owns the trademark in the US and Canada and licenses it by category. The apparel business is run by Hanesbrands, which Gildan acquired in December 2025.
Where is Playtex from?
Playtex is an American brand launched in 1947 by the International Latex Corporation, which started in Rochester, New York.