The Row
Founder-controlled (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) · United States
The Row is a New York luxury label founded in 2006 by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and known for minimalist, logo-free clothing, shoes and bags. The Olsens remain majority owners after a 2024 minority investment from the Wertheimer family and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers that reportedly valued the brand at about 1 billion US dollars.
| Founded | 2006, New York |
|---|---|
| Founders | Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen |
| Owner | Olsens as majority stakeholders |
| Minority investors | Mousse Partners (Wertheimer family), Tethys Invest (2024) |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Segment | Luxury |
| Website | therow.com |
What is The Row?
The Row is an American luxury fashion house founded in New York by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Named after Savile Row in London, it has become a reference point for so-called quiet luxury: restrained silhouettes, precise tailoring and high quality materials without visible branding.
History
The project began in 2005 as Ashley Olsen's attempt to make the perfect T-shirt. The first collection followed in 2006 and was bought in full by Barneys New York. The brand won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2012, launched menswear in 2011 with a full collection from 2018, and introduced a children's line in 2021. The Olsens work from a studio in Tribeca and opened offices in Paris (2011) and London (2019).
In September 2024 the Wertheimer family, owners of Chanel, took a minority stake through their family office Mousse Partners, and L'Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers invested through Tethys Invest. Reports put the resulting valuation at about 1 billion US dollars, with the Olsens remaining majority stakeholders.
Products and positioning
The Row covers womenswear and menswear ready to wear, footwear, handbags and accessories, plus eyewear made in partnership with specialist manufacturers. Pricing is firmly in the luxury tier, and the brand relies on product reputation and word of mouth rather than celebrity campaigns or logos.
Business model and distribution
- Own stores: five monobrand stores as of 2024, including Los Angeles (2014), New York's Upper East Side (2016) and London (2019)
- Wholesale: distribution in 37 countries through selected luxury retailers
- E-commerce: sales via its own website
Why it matters
The Row shows how a founder-led American brand can reach luxury scale without heritage, logos or a conglomerate parent. Its 2024 investors, drawn from two of France's most powerful luxury families, signalled that independent labels with strong product and pricing discipline remain highly attractive to long term capital.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns The Row?
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen remain the majority owners. In 2024 the Wertheimer family, who own Chanel, and L'Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers acquired minority stakes.
Is The Row a luxury brand?
Yes. The Row is positioned in the luxury segment with minimalist ready to wear, shoes and handbags sold through its own stores, its website and top tier retailers. Its 2024 funding round reportedly valued it at about 1 billion US dollars.