St. John
Lanvin Group · United States
St. John is an American luxury womenswear brand founded in 1962, best known for its knitwear. It is part of Lanvin Group, which is backed by Fosun International, and sells almost entirely in North America.
| Founded | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Robert Gray and Marie St. John |
| Owner | Lanvin Group (Fosun International majority) |
| Headquarters | Irvine, United States |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Creative director | Enrico Chiarparin (named in 2023) |
| Website | stjohnknits.com |
What is St. John?
St. John, also written St. John Knits, is an American women's luxury brand founded in 1962 by Robert Gray and his wife Marie St. John, a former model. It is known for wool and rayon knitwear and Chanel-inspired jackets, and also offers a more contemporary St. John Sport line.
History
Marie St. John hand-knitted early designs, and the department store Bullock's ordered 84 dresses. Escada bought an 80% stake in 1990, the company listed in 1993 with the Gray family keeping 20%, and Kelly Gray became chief executive in 2002. A private equity firm bought the company in 2005 and the family left, returning as creative consultants in 2007.
Fosun International bought a 30% stake in 2013 and a majority stake in 2017, and the brand is held through Lanvin Group, which listed on the New York Stock Exchange via a SPAC merger in 2022. Enrico Chiarparin was named creative director in 2023, succeeding Zoe Turner.
Business model and distribution
Lanvin Group's FY2025 results presentation lists St. John alongside Lanvin, Wolford and Sergio Rossi. It reports St. John revenue of €78.2 million for 2025, down 1% at constant currency, with about 98% generated in North America. Wholesale grew 4%, driven by a Nordstrom partnership, and e-commerce rose after a platform upgrade.
The brand is scaling back regions outside North America, where EMEA and Greater China revenues fell sharply. Its 2026 plans include expanding in North America and extending the Nordstrom concession model to more partners. Lanvin Group says it is conducting a portfolio review to concentrate resources on high-value brands, but the presentation does not announce any change in St. John's ownership.
Why it matters
St. John is one of the best known American names in luxury knitwear and a rare Chinese-owned brand with a customer base concentrated in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns St. John?
St. John is part of Lanvin Group, which is controlled by Fosun International. Fosun bought a 30% stake in 2013 and a majority stake in 2017.
Where is St. John from?
St. John is an American brand founded in California in 1962 by Robert Gray and Marie St. John. Its headquarters are in Irvine, California, and about 98% of its revenue comes from North America.